**21 Years Together, 12 Years of Trying: A Journey of Love and Hope**

Hey there, friends! We want to share a bit of our journey with you—one filled with love, challenges, and the hope of growing our family.

Bob and Sue have been happily together for 21 years, starting as great friends for 2 years before diving into life as a couple. During the first decade, they focused on building a strong foundation—cherishing family and friends, creating a business in their community, and preparing both emotionally and spiritually for the day they could welcome a little one into their lives.

As they approached their early thirties, they felt it was the right time to start a family. However, after years of expecting it to happen naturally without any luck, Susan decided to seek help. She began seeing a naturopathic doctor to address her amenorrhea and irregular cycles. After several tests and ultrasounds, they discovered three large tumors on her left ovary and pelvic wall. This news kicked off a whirlwind of doctor visits, tests, and ultimately surgery that left her with one ovary, but thankfully, a biopsy showed no signs of cancer, giving them a much-needed sigh of relief.

By this time, Susan was 38 and Bob was 40, so they were determined to become parents. They started actively trying to conceive, and in the spring of 2023, as Susan approached her 40th birthday, they were thrilled to learn that she was finally pregnant! But sadly, the excitement turned to heartbreak when, during a routine check-up, they were told there was no heartbeat. After some time waiting for the missed miscarriage to conclude, they agreed that a D&C procedure was the best way forward. The pain of loss was real, and it hit hard.

Around this time, Bob was still working in California while Susan had recently moved to Arizona. While they had managed long-distance relationships before, the weight of their loss coupled with the distance strained their connection. Susan fell into a deep depression without her family and friends close by as a support system, while they struggled to align visits around her cycle. It put a strain on their nearly two-decade-long relationship.

Thankfully, in summer 2024, Bob moved to Arizona. They could finally face their grief together and continue their dream of starting a family.

Fast forward to spring 2025, and they received another positive pregnancy test! But once again, they faced disappointment with another miscarriage early in the first trimester.

Devastated but hopeful, they consulted Susan’s OBGYN, who encouraged them to see a fertility specialist. Now in their 40s, they know they need to act quickly to make their family dreams come true. After meetings with specialists, they were told they have good chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby with utilizing IVF but they faced more hurdles and recognized they couldn't navigate this journey alone.

Despite Susan’s diligent work with her naturopath to balance her hormones, and her having a good egg reserve despite her age and one ovary, they discovered that she has a “heart-shaped” uterus with a septum of tissue without a blood supply which needs a procedure to improve her chances of a successful pregnancy. Bob’s tests showed he’s mostly healthy but requires some medication to enhance his sperm levels.

The road forward—including egg and sperm retrieval, storage, embryo testing, and the subsequent procedures—comes with significant costs. Bob and Sue have been saving and using credit cards to cover initial expenses, but when faced with a $30,000 bill upfront, they've realized they can't do this alone.

And that’s where we humbly ask for your help!

First and foremost, they would greatly appreciate your prayers. They truly believe in the power of community and hope.

Secondly, if you have any words of encouragement, wisdom, or if you’d consider sharing their GoFundMe, it would mean the world to them.

Last but not least, they’re asking for your support in their journey to become parents. Although this was a difficult decision, they know this community will stand alongside them during such a challenging time.

Thank you for taking the time to read their story! Your kindness and support are deeply appreciated. ❤️