Baby Lopez Journey
Donation protected
Geoff and Jennifer have been married for 4 years and together for 10. They always pictured having a big family and how exciting it would be when the time came to start trying to grow their family. However, pregnancy isn’t something that comes easy for a lot of people. This is their story.
Geoff and Jennifer began their journey to start a family in early 2016. After trying to conceive for a year and having no success, they feared something might be wrong and didn’t understand why it wasn’t happening so quickly like it did for everyone else. In March of 2017, they sought the help of a fertility specialist. After months of tests, procedures, and consultations, there was no clear reason why they weren’t conceiving. At the advice of their doctor, one initial step was to put Jennifer on medication to attempt to stimulate her ovaries in an attempt to regulate her cycle and increase their chances. After three months and no success they realized they would need to get more aggressive with their treatment. For another three months, Jennifer took medication, self administered shots and had three IUI (intrauterine insemination) procedures to give them the best chance of conception. Unfortunately, these attempts failed as well leaving them both feeling discouraged, defeated, angry, and unsure of how to proceed. Due to an overwhelming amount of symptoms and excruciating pain, they always thought that, perhaps, Jennifer may have endometriosis. Their doctor said that undergoing a laparoscopic surgery was the next option, to diagnose endometriosis and to see if it was causing their infertility, but told them they rarely go in and find anything.
In January of 2018 Jennifer had the surgery. She woke up from the surgery feeling hopeful and expecting that they didn’t find anything, but that was not the case. Her doctor told her that she had stage four endometriosis and that it was the worst case she had ever seen. She told Geoff and Jennifer that they would not be able to conceive on their own and their only other option to start a family was to undergo IVF. After a few weeks of extensive contemplation, tears, honest and open conversations, soul searching and self reflection they made the hard decision to move forward with IVF. For those who don’t know what IVF is or why this is the best option for the couple, here is a quick explanation. With IVF (invitro fertilization) they take the eggs out of the female and combine them directly with the sperm. After four to five days the doctor transfers the blastocyst embryo into the female. The IVF process essentially takes care of the process that Jennifer’s body cannot naturally do. Finally, after years of heartbreak, bad news after bad news, loss, and anxiety they finally felt some hope. However, the excitement of finally finding a possible solution was crushed by the overwhelming cost of IVF treatment because it is not just the procedure, but also the medicines, office visits, testing, and more. This treatment is not covered by insurance.
At this point, they feel they have to let their guard down and ask for the kindness and assistance of those they hold close. If you know them at all, you know this has not been an easy decision to ask for help. Infertility is draining, both financially and emotionally, which has brought them here. They know not everyone will agree with this method of fundraising and hope that through their transparency everyone, including those who don’t agree, will be kind and understanding. They understand not everyone can donate with money, but will take donations in the form of prayer and positive vibes as well :) Their goal amount is not the total amount incurred while undergoing IVF, but think it would be a great place for them to start. They have been trying to stay positive through this process and each day remind themselves of how blessed they already are. They try to always see the best in every situation and feel that going through this together has not only strengthened their marriage, but they know they will be better parents because of it. Thank you for taking the time to read about their journey. They thank you from the bottom of their hearts, they thank you for donating, praying, and supporting them on their hopes of a perfect ending to their journey.
**Also, when donating there is a piece that pops up with a “required tip.” If you choose “other” you can put in a zero amount to bypass that. It is not required.
Geoff and Jennifer began their journey to start a family in early 2016. After trying to conceive for a year and having no success, they feared something might be wrong and didn’t understand why it wasn’t happening so quickly like it did for everyone else. In March of 2017, they sought the help of a fertility specialist. After months of tests, procedures, and consultations, there was no clear reason why they weren’t conceiving. At the advice of their doctor, one initial step was to put Jennifer on medication to attempt to stimulate her ovaries in an attempt to regulate her cycle and increase their chances. After three months and no success they realized they would need to get more aggressive with their treatment. For another three months, Jennifer took medication, self administered shots and had three IUI (intrauterine insemination) procedures to give them the best chance of conception. Unfortunately, these attempts failed as well leaving them both feeling discouraged, defeated, angry, and unsure of how to proceed. Due to an overwhelming amount of symptoms and excruciating pain, they always thought that, perhaps, Jennifer may have endometriosis. Their doctor said that undergoing a laparoscopic surgery was the next option, to diagnose endometriosis and to see if it was causing their infertility, but told them they rarely go in and find anything.
In January of 2018 Jennifer had the surgery. She woke up from the surgery feeling hopeful and expecting that they didn’t find anything, but that was not the case. Her doctor told her that she had stage four endometriosis and that it was the worst case she had ever seen. She told Geoff and Jennifer that they would not be able to conceive on their own and their only other option to start a family was to undergo IVF. After a few weeks of extensive contemplation, tears, honest and open conversations, soul searching and self reflection they made the hard decision to move forward with IVF. For those who don’t know what IVF is or why this is the best option for the couple, here is a quick explanation. With IVF (invitro fertilization) they take the eggs out of the female and combine them directly with the sperm. After four to five days the doctor transfers the blastocyst embryo into the female. The IVF process essentially takes care of the process that Jennifer’s body cannot naturally do. Finally, after years of heartbreak, bad news after bad news, loss, and anxiety they finally felt some hope. However, the excitement of finally finding a possible solution was crushed by the overwhelming cost of IVF treatment because it is not just the procedure, but also the medicines, office visits, testing, and more. This treatment is not covered by insurance.
At this point, they feel they have to let their guard down and ask for the kindness and assistance of those they hold close. If you know them at all, you know this has not been an easy decision to ask for help. Infertility is draining, both financially and emotionally, which has brought them here. They know not everyone will agree with this method of fundraising and hope that through their transparency everyone, including those who don’t agree, will be kind and understanding. They understand not everyone can donate with money, but will take donations in the form of prayer and positive vibes as well :) Their goal amount is not the total amount incurred while undergoing IVF, but think it would be a great place for them to start. They have been trying to stay positive through this process and each day remind themselves of how blessed they already are. They try to always see the best in every situation and feel that going through this together has not only strengthened their marriage, but they know they will be better parents because of it. Thank you for taking the time to read about their journey. They thank you from the bottom of their hearts, they thank you for donating, praying, and supporting them on their hopes of a perfect ending to their journey.
**Also, when donating there is a piece that pops up with a “required tip.” If you choose “other” you can put in a zero amount to bypass that. It is not required.
Organizer
Jennifer Lopez
Organizer
Vancouver, WA
