Hi, we are Mark & Christine and we’re asking for your support in helping us start our family.

In brief, we had some major obstacles to face in our short 3 years.  I had 6 surgeries and diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis and Uterine cancer.  This cancer that I beat left me no choice but to look into Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA), Donor Egg Bank and ConceiveAbilities for a baby we always wanted.  The total cost projected is $170,000.00.  We have already secured a donor egg ($21,000.00) and initiated the first phase with ConceiveAbilities ($49,000.00).   We are now aiming to reach our goal by the end of the October/early November, which will allow us to finalize our second phase with ConceiveAbilities ($100,000.00).   We would hope to have all donations collected by October 31, 2021.  We look forward to emailing updates so you can be a part of helping us make our family complete.  Please help us by donating and/or sharing our story. We hope you follow us along on our journey of creating our family .

Continue reading to get a better picture of where we are coming from,

 

This is not an easy request for myself or my husband. Our love story is filled with many hopes and dreams. In short, we met three years ago on Catholic Match and got married one year ago. One of our specific criteria for a partner was that we both wanted children. We knew early on when we were dating that we had something special and fell in love with each other quickly. We both wanted to get married and start a family as soon as we could, especially as our window of opportunity was short with both of us in our 40’s. We are both blessed to have a total of four wonderful nieces and eight awesome nephews. We have enjoyed being a part of their lives and watching them grow up has been such a beautiful experience. Anyone that knows us, knows that one of the only things we have ever wanted was to be a mom and dad.

 

In the very early stages of dating, I began to have female issues. We had suspected that something might be wrong but didn’t know what. The thought of not being able to have kids when it is all you can think about is devastating. I also know how much it was affecting Mark. Ever since I can remember I’ve wanted to be a mom and have children of my own. I’ve been around kids all my life; babysitting since 6th grade, majoring in college to become a teacher, and currently beginning my 20th year at an elementary school. My life pretty much has revolved around children. Mark is great with kids and at family occasions he would be found playing with his nieces and nephews especially if it involves Playmobile, LEGOS or Star Wars.

 

We are not ones to like to ask for help. We both love to help others and never thought we would be in this situation. If you know us, we will give the shirts off of our backs if needed. We don’t like to receive it, especially not financial help but we truly don’t think anyone could ever know how mentally, emotionally or financially the cards that we’ve been dealt these two years. We have exhausted most of our means and are reaching out. So, we are asking you to consider a donation towards our fertility journey and the other related medical expenses.

 

This is Us, Our Life, Our Story, Our Dream:

 

We have both been looking for that special someone for a long time and if you want to learn the details about our story of how we met and fell in love click here Mark and Chris' Story.

 

Here’s a brief summary of how we got to where we are presently. We went out on our first date and we found true happiness with each other. We were intrigued with each other. As my colleagues teasingly stated, our “Hallmark” movie was in the making.

 

We dated for one year before Mark finally proposed to me at Moran Point along the Grand Canyon in Arizona. I said, “yes, yes and yes” at sunset on July 9, 2019. What a beautiful first start to our lives! Everything was falling into place so perfectly and things could not be any better. Excitedly, our dreams were becoming our new reality. We had always discussed having kids and all the things you talk about when you’re getting ready to share your life with someone you love.

 

A few weeks later in early August 2019, I had my 1st of 4 D&Cs with biopsy. On a family vacation my gynecologist called to say my results were in and found precancerous cells. She recommended that I have a hysterectomy especially since there were a fair share of family members who have also had cancer. She said that there was about a 50% chance it would become cancer. I asked about other options since I was newly engaged and wanted a family. She stated I needed to start seeing a gynecologic oncologist for her opinion. I met with my new doctor and she recommended that due to my age and the results of the biopsy, Mark and I would need to have a fertility specialist assist us in fulfilling our dreams. I also then began hormone treatment to slow or vanish the precancerous cells, but was told a hysterectomy was in my future hopefully after our family was created.

 

We were so excited to begin a marriage together and start our family that we initially tried to plan our wedding for December 28, 2019. However, this was just not in the cards for us financially and physically. Mark had lost his job just trying to do the right thing by following the law and not doing something that he would regret later on and possibly have larger consequences to deal with. I also had to prepare for two upcoming surgeries. By the end of October, I was recommended to have my gallbladder out before getting pregnant and moved forward to a date in November. I then had my second planned D&C with biopsy in December. As these surgeries were needed in hopes to help protect my fertility and move forward with our dream. The hormone treatment was working and there were no traces of the precancerous cells anymore. Both my gynecologic oncologist and fertility doctor were pleased and said we can move forward.

 

We postponed the wedding until April 17, 2020, we saw spring time as a new beginning. Unfortunately things did not go as planned. Just like everyone, Covid drastically altered our plans. Never in a million years did we think we would need to postpone the wedding for the 2nd time and like many other newly engaged couples, we had lost our down payment to our original reception hall. Sadly, the wedding was put off until things got better in the world. Regretfully, we also had to put our plans with RMA-fertility on hold.

 

I know, 2020 was a hard year for all of us without a doubt. It was a very challenging time for everyone but we are thankful for the silver lining that was given to us as things got better and restrictions were beginning to be lifted. So we decided to try planning a wedding for the 3rd time. But with this third time, we had to practically start from scratch as we had many restrictions to abide by. We had to find a new location for our wedding and search for some new vendors. We persevered and tied the knot on July 17, 2020! We couldn’t wait to start our family together. We knew time was of the essence and started trying to make that happen immediately.

 

Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. I went in for my third D&C in August 2020 and was told that I personally would not be able to conceive a child of my own, as my fertility specialist stated I had less than 2% chance of getting pregnant, but I could carry a child. I would be required to go through finding donor eggs and Mark would need to freeze his sperm. IVF was our only hope to have a child.

 

Meanwhile during the fall my PCP was following up with me and my previous blood work. She noticed that my liver numbers were greatly out of range. I was also more fatigued than usual. My blood work reflected that I was positive for an autoimmune disease. She referred me to a rheumatologist. She said my issue was not in her line of work and I was referred to a gastroenterologist (digestive systems). I began appointments with my gastro and was diagnosed in December with AIH- Autoimmune Hepatitis Disease. In short, my body’s infection-fighting system attacks my liver cells and unfortunately to this day doctors do not know why this happens. I started my life treatment on prednisone in January as this was the safest way to treat me for when I become pregnant. My gastro had me begin to see another specialist, a hepatologist (liver) especially for future pregnancy. The two began to work together for the best treatment so nothing would affect me, the pregnancy, or baby.

 

Meanwhile in January of 2021, we were becoming mentally ready to start looking for donor eggs and were overjoyed with this new possibility that we found a match, a perfect match! She met many qualities that Mark and I looked for; she has a similar background, family medical history was great, is a teacher, plays volleyball and loves purple. I felt drawn to her profile as I could have written it myself. This gave me hope that I needed as I was losing hope. Mark was 100% in agreement and optimistic as well.

 

We were excited about the next part of our journey to have a family. As with everything from our fertility specialist and prior appointments, everything had to be paid upfront before we could move forward because my insurance covered nothing. With an out-of-pocket cost of approximately $21,000.00 we purchased donor eggs and were approved into their program by meeting certain medical conditions. At this point, we had some money saved to help us with our fertility journey and using these donor eggs.

 

My appointment in February at RMA found the lining of my uterus to be slightly irregular. I was to see and discuss with my gynecologic oncologist the findings. In the end, we decided that I should go in for my 4th D&C in April to prepare my uterus for pregnancy.

 

At the end of March, my RMA nurse and I began having talks about creating our embryos for a summer transfer for me to carry. This was a great way to look forward to celebrating our one year anniversary in the next couple of months!

 

A week later, April 2021, I had my 4th D&C with biopsy and I received the devastating news from my doctor that I had endometrial/uterine cancer. With all of this, my doctor told me, more than likely I would not be able to move forward with IVF. It depended on the location of the cancer. She sent me to have a MRI to detect exactly where the cancer is located. My MRI came back and showed that the cancer was located within the muscle. With this location, both my gynecologic oncologist and my fertility doctor said there was no other option but a hysterectomy. The risks for me and the baby were too great. I now needed to start preparing for a hysterectomy. If there was any hope for a child, Mark and I would need to use a gestational carrier with our secured donor egg and his sperm.

 

June 16th was the date of my hysterectomy. I was blessed and supported by many family members, friends, and colleagues who prayed, texted, and called me at this time but most of all my husband, Mark has been a godsend. It meant the world to me.

 

About a week before our 1st wedding anniversary, I received positive news and I am happy to report that I am cancer free! Yes, this is the best wedding present, but still heartbroken knowing I am now not able to have or carry my own child. I am hoping you can help me fill this emptiness as Mark and I have a deep desire to become a mommy and daddy.

 

When we got married, we knew this journey would not be easy and after almost a year of trying to conceive, endless prayers, multiple surgeries, and the diagnoses of AIH and cancer using a Third Party for our eggs and carrier is our only option.

 

Why do we need your help?

 

We need you to be a part of making our dreams a reality. We are unable to conceive naturally. IVF, donor eggs and a gestational carrier are our only option to have a child. It’s also extremely costly and we can’t do it on our own. As a couple just getting our life started, it’s been taking a toll on us mentally, physically, financially, etc.

 

The total cost projected is $170,000.00. Phase 1 was for securing the donor eggs from Donor Egg Bank in the amount of $21,000.00 which we completed when I was going to carry the baby. With the start of September, we just started Phase 2 by signing an Agreement with ConceiveAbilities, Third-Party (gestational carrier agency). We have submitted the initial payment in the amount of $49,000.00 to begin the process. This consists of legal costs, gestational carrier matching, evaluation and medical screening. In Phase 3 this is where we will need your help as we move ahead in the amount of $100,000.00 which is due by the end of October/beginning November when a match is projected to be finalized. We are looking to make a dent in the remaining funds needed. Our long awaited baby will finally be on the way. We would hope to have all donations collected by October 31, 2021.

 

While discussing our options and figuring out how to get to this next step we had quite a few people tell us to create a GoFundMe page. Asking for help is not easy for us but the cost feels too big and impossible at times; but we are here trying to push past our pride and to experience having a family together is something that we both want more than anything. We are looking for help in paying for Phase 3 and all other unforeseen expenses. Even just sharing this post can help and any support given will go directly towards the expenses which include but not limited to are:

 

-IVF cycle

-gestational carrier costs compensation

-matching with gestational carrier and medical screenings

-evaluations

-medical check ups

-pharmaceutical medicines

-genetic testing of embryos

-gestational carrier and all her needs to keep her healthy and to carry our healthy child

-maternity insurance

-living expenses to the gestational carrier

-legal fees

-travel fees

In addition other fees not included in Third Party agreements such as

-gestational carrier legal agreement

-new legal will

 

Fees vary from state to state depending on where the gestational carrier lives. As previously mentioned, insurance companies cover very little to no fertility treatment.

 

Now, in order to move forward with our journey, please help assist us. We understand this past year has been tough for many. So whatever you are able to donate monetarily or are only able to share our story, we greatly appreciate any help you can offer.

 

If you would like to donate in another way, please feel free to reach out to us.

As a thank you we want to have a way to remember your support. We are also making this as a “Tree of Life” fundraiser. Each leaf of the tree will represent someone special who donated to help us with our journey. Your name will be written on the front of this leaf that will be placed on the wall in our baby’s room so that you will always be a part of our family. You will be completing the missing pieces on our journey to being a Mom and Dad!

 

This will be a beautiful remembrance for us to always cherish and share the story of your love and generosity to our future son or daughter.

 

Thank you so much for reading our story. We ask that you pray for us and support us on this journey. We could not do it without you!

 

Appreciatively,

Mark & Christine