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Our Story: This is a long read, but hopefully you'll find it worth it. We struggled a lot mentally with the idea of seeming vulnerable and greedy asking for help; but we realized that if we want a chance at this journey - the help of friends, family, loved ones, and strangers may be our only hope.
Steven and I met when I was just 6 years old; and he was 9. I had just moved to the neighborhood and he was coming over to befriend my brother who was his age. Fast-forward 8 years. My family had moved out of state and Steven was coming to visit my brother. Queue hormones. I realize he's the hottest guy I've ever seen. At 14, I already knew I was hooked. At 17, he and I reconnected via social media (MySpace, for those older Millenials) and we hit it off like we were long lost best friends. We had a fond respect for each other, and a "say it like you mean it" demeanor, leaving us never wondering what the other was thinking. I worked up the courage to ask him to my junior prom; and would you guess, he said no! I mean, a 20 year old not wanting to go to a 17 year old's prom? Shocking, no? (See, babe. I told you I'd never let it go.) Skip ahead another 6 years and with waxing and waning communication, we reunited once more. This time I was 23 and he was 26 - he asked me to move to Canada with him, stating he would buy me new wardrobes and everything I'd need to acclimate to the frigid climate. I said no. (WHAT? why would you do that Katie, you have wanted this guy since you were 14...) I was in school and not about to give up my career helping animals for a "what if". (Okay, you won that one and I admitted I turned you down too, happy?) We both went on living with on and off communications about the mundane daily events in our lives until 2016. I was 26, he was 29. We both were freshly out of relationships when I jokingly said "Why don't we get married? We're pretty awesome together!", and he responded with "Why don't you move down here and prove I can put a ring on your finger?" I drove the 6.5 hours down from Virginia to Georgia a month later to visit him, reconnect personally, and give us a chance. I made the same drive every other week for 2 months for just a weekend with him until I could move. The stars aligned with minimal interference and in November 2016 I moved to Georgia. We've been together ever since. 3 years dating, 1.5 years married. The best "what if" chance I've ever taken.
After I accepted a job in Virginia at a local university, Steven and I bought a house and moved back to my home state. We managed to fit the majority of our 5 year plan within the full year of 2018, only sacrificing a few tears, a lot of sweat, and some unwavering determination. Through much hard work (and many 84 hour work weeks from him), we organized our finances and life goals so that we would be ready for a baby when we felt it was appropriate. House bought: check, reliable vehicle: check, careers on track: check.
~~~~
8 years ago I had excrutiating pain in the right side of my abdomen. I tried multiple doctors for 2 years with a series of tests, all to no avail. CT's, barium studies, gynecological studies and no cause was found for my discomfort. I finally saw a doctor who would listen instead of just treat me. After a couple months of hormonal therapy that didn't help, we scheduled me for an exploratory laparoscopy. My surgeon explained to me in very blunt terms, "You could have endometriosis, you could have scar tissue adhesions, or you could have chronic appendicitis. I don't know until I look." As I woke up from my surgery I remember hearing him exclaim, "Congratulations! You had all 3!" I was so happy to have the pain relief, but 3 years later it started to come back. We scheduled a second surgery for 2016 and I had more endometrial tissue removed. I realized then that this was going to be an ongoing, life-long issue that I was going to have to battle.
I knew going into our conception journey that it was going to be rough. Endometriosis isn't kind to many; aside from the pain, it elicits hardships with fertility. At 6 months into our journey with no success, I decided it was time to start testing. I was put on Clomid to help with ovulation and Steven was scheduled for a semen analysis. His first 2 samples had conflicting reviews; but we were advised to proceed naturally and that the clinician saw nothing of concern. After 2 rounds of Clomid with no success, I decided to ask for a referral for a fertility specialist. My doctor happily obliged knowing I had a history of endometriosis, and now, the failed drug therapy.
After our appointment we were devastated. My endo was a cause for concern, and after reviewing a third analysis for Steven - we realized that there was actually a concern on his end too that was overlooked by the previous doctor. We were given false hope to try naturally. Steven had low numbers in all categories that matter and the news was like a punch in the gut. We were told he would have to see a urologist that specialized in male infertility in order to see if we could get his numbers up. We patiently waited for our referral and the urologist confirmed our fears. Steven also has low testosterone with Clomid for him not giving the doctor much optimism. Our doctor explained that his numbers were so low that even doing IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) wasn't an option, and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) would likely be our only choice.
Truthfully, I always knew this would be hard. I/We never expected that we would both contribute to our fertility struggles and that IVF would be placed at our feet. We are scared, shocked, anxious, and yet still very excited for the future and what our lives will hold. So here we are. We are turning to the ones we love, strangers, and all in between to consider helping us along this road. We understand also that every family, household, person, couple, and individual face their own financial struggles and therefore we do not expect donations; but figured - it never hurts to ask.
Any donations made will be going straight to our IVF journey - and if the full amount isn't raised (Hopefully by Jan-Mar 2021), we will be refunding the money to all that have donated, so really, no one is out anything. We figure if everone can donate $10 and share, hopefully this will add up quickly and not dig into pockets too much. PLEASE put your name so we can refund you if needed!
We appreciate all that have read to this point, and we just hope that we may actually stand a chance at carrying our baby Corbin or Sorra and completing the family we have always dreamed of.
Steven and I met when I was just 6 years old; and he was 9. I had just moved to the neighborhood and he was coming over to befriend my brother who was his age. Fast-forward 8 years. My family had moved out of state and Steven was coming to visit my brother. Queue hormones. I realize he's the hottest guy I've ever seen. At 14, I already knew I was hooked. At 17, he and I reconnected via social media (MySpace, for those older Millenials) and we hit it off like we were long lost best friends. We had a fond respect for each other, and a "say it like you mean it" demeanor, leaving us never wondering what the other was thinking. I worked up the courage to ask him to my junior prom; and would you guess, he said no! I mean, a 20 year old not wanting to go to a 17 year old's prom? Shocking, no? (See, babe. I told you I'd never let it go.) Skip ahead another 6 years and with waxing and waning communication, we reunited once more. This time I was 23 and he was 26 - he asked me to move to Canada with him, stating he would buy me new wardrobes and everything I'd need to acclimate to the frigid climate. I said no. (WHAT? why would you do that Katie, you have wanted this guy since you were 14...) I was in school and not about to give up my career helping animals for a "what if". (Okay, you won that one and I admitted I turned you down too, happy?) We both went on living with on and off communications about the mundane daily events in our lives until 2016. I was 26, he was 29. We both were freshly out of relationships when I jokingly said "Why don't we get married? We're pretty awesome together!", and he responded with "Why don't you move down here and prove I can put a ring on your finger?" I drove the 6.5 hours down from Virginia to Georgia a month later to visit him, reconnect personally, and give us a chance. I made the same drive every other week for 2 months for just a weekend with him until I could move. The stars aligned with minimal interference and in November 2016 I moved to Georgia. We've been together ever since. 3 years dating, 1.5 years married. The best "what if" chance I've ever taken.
After I accepted a job in Virginia at a local university, Steven and I bought a house and moved back to my home state. We managed to fit the majority of our 5 year plan within the full year of 2018, only sacrificing a few tears, a lot of sweat, and some unwavering determination. Through much hard work (and many 84 hour work weeks from him), we organized our finances and life goals so that we would be ready for a baby when we felt it was appropriate. House bought: check, reliable vehicle: check, careers on track: check.
~~~~
8 years ago I had excrutiating pain in the right side of my abdomen. I tried multiple doctors for 2 years with a series of tests, all to no avail. CT's, barium studies, gynecological studies and no cause was found for my discomfort. I finally saw a doctor who would listen instead of just treat me. After a couple months of hormonal therapy that didn't help, we scheduled me for an exploratory laparoscopy. My surgeon explained to me in very blunt terms, "You could have endometriosis, you could have scar tissue adhesions, or you could have chronic appendicitis. I don't know until I look." As I woke up from my surgery I remember hearing him exclaim, "Congratulations! You had all 3!" I was so happy to have the pain relief, but 3 years later it started to come back. We scheduled a second surgery for 2016 and I had more endometrial tissue removed. I realized then that this was going to be an ongoing, life-long issue that I was going to have to battle.
I knew going into our conception journey that it was going to be rough. Endometriosis isn't kind to many; aside from the pain, it elicits hardships with fertility. At 6 months into our journey with no success, I decided it was time to start testing. I was put on Clomid to help with ovulation and Steven was scheduled for a semen analysis. His first 2 samples had conflicting reviews; but we were advised to proceed naturally and that the clinician saw nothing of concern. After 2 rounds of Clomid with no success, I decided to ask for a referral for a fertility specialist. My doctor happily obliged knowing I had a history of endometriosis, and now, the failed drug therapy.
After our appointment we were devastated. My endo was a cause for concern, and after reviewing a third analysis for Steven - we realized that there was actually a concern on his end too that was overlooked by the previous doctor. We were given false hope to try naturally. Steven had low numbers in all categories that matter and the news was like a punch in the gut. We were told he would have to see a urologist that specialized in male infertility in order to see if we could get his numbers up. We patiently waited for our referral and the urologist confirmed our fears. Steven also has low testosterone with Clomid for him not giving the doctor much optimism. Our doctor explained that his numbers were so low that even doing IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) wasn't an option, and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) would likely be our only choice.
Truthfully, I always knew this would be hard. I/We never expected that we would both contribute to our fertility struggles and that IVF would be placed at our feet. We are scared, shocked, anxious, and yet still very excited for the future and what our lives will hold. So here we are. We are turning to the ones we love, strangers, and all in between to consider helping us along this road. We understand also that every family, household, person, couple, and individual face their own financial struggles and therefore we do not expect donations; but figured - it never hurts to ask.
Any donations made will be going straight to our IVF journey - and if the full amount isn't raised (Hopefully by Jan-Mar 2021), we will be refunding the money to all that have donated, so really, no one is out anything. We figure if everone can donate $10 and share, hopefully this will add up quickly and not dig into pockets too much. PLEASE put your name so we can refund you if needed!
We appreciate all that have read to this point, and we just hope that we may actually stand a chance at carrying our baby Corbin or Sorra and completing the family we have always dreamed of.