“The English language lacks the words to mourn an absence. For the loss of a parent, grandparent, spouse, child or friend, we have all manner of words and phrases, some helpful some not. Still we are conditioned to say something, even if it is only “I’m sorry for your loss.” But for an absence, for someone who was never there at all, we are wordless to capture that particular emptiness. For those who deeply want children and are denied them, those missing babies hover like silent ephemeral shadows over their lives. Who can describe the feel of a tiny hand that is never held?”
― Laura Bush, Spoken from the Heart
After naturally trying to have a baby for almost one year, my beautiful sister, Carissa and her husband, Matt started seeking medical attention for infertility in January of 2015. Carissa was diagnosed with a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This condition caused her to no longer get a regular menstrual cycle. After meeting with the doctor several times, she was sent to an OB/GYN.
This physician noted that Carissa start using Clomid to promote ovulation and monthly blood draw to see if she was pregnant. One miscarriage and 8 cycles later, they were sent to an infertility clinic called RMIA (Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates) in Woodbury.
They started treatment there in March 2016 and it was recommended that Carissa and Matt started completing IUI which is scheduled artificial insemination. There were MANY, MANY appointments involved with this. There is blood work, LOTS of ultrasounds to track follicle growth size and then several medications. It started with oral medications and one injection. They did this for 3 cycles. After that they had to move to
injectable medications. Carissa has to give herself daily injections in the lower abdomen. This lasted for 12 days, and then she has to do an injection to promote ovulation and followed up by artificially inseminating. They completed 2 cycles, which at the start of the second cycle insurance no longer covered the costs. ANOTHER heartbreaking miscarriage occurred this past fall. Watching her go through infertility has been absolutely heartbreaking. Carissa has responded well to the medications, but it still hasn’t ended in them having a baby.
They met with their doctor at RMIA in October and were told that at this point the best option is IVF. As most people are aware, there is no insurance coverage for IVF and when completing IVF, you must pay in full prior to starting the process. Due to the amount of medical issues ahead with the PCOS, the IVF and trying to avoid more miscarriages, the upfront costs for her are $20-30,000.
I am looking out to all of our friends and family to try to help out with 30-50% of the costs, to at least get them started! The sooner they can pay the money up front, the sooner they can begin their journey of having a family! She sure is an excellent auntie. If you know my sister, you know she DESERVES to be a mother as much as she WANTS to be a mother.
― Laura Bush, Spoken from the Heart
After naturally trying to have a baby for almost one year, my beautiful sister, Carissa and her husband, Matt started seeking medical attention for infertility in January of 2015. Carissa was diagnosed with a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This condition caused her to no longer get a regular menstrual cycle. After meeting with the doctor several times, she was sent to an OB/GYN.
This physician noted that Carissa start using Clomid to promote ovulation and monthly blood draw to see if she was pregnant. One miscarriage and 8 cycles later, they were sent to an infertility clinic called RMIA (Reproductive Medicine and Infertility Associates) in Woodbury.
They started treatment there in March 2016 and it was recommended that Carissa and Matt started completing IUI which is scheduled artificial insemination. There were MANY, MANY appointments involved with this. There is blood work, LOTS of ultrasounds to track follicle growth size and then several medications. It started with oral medications and one injection. They did this for 3 cycles. After that they had to move to
injectable medications. Carissa has to give herself daily injections in the lower abdomen. This lasted for 12 days, and then she has to do an injection to promote ovulation and followed up by artificially inseminating. They completed 2 cycles, which at the start of the second cycle insurance no longer covered the costs. ANOTHER heartbreaking miscarriage occurred this past fall. Watching her go through infertility has been absolutely heartbreaking. Carissa has responded well to the medications, but it still hasn’t ended in them having a baby.
They met with their doctor at RMIA in October and were told that at this point the best option is IVF. As most people are aware, there is no insurance coverage for IVF and when completing IVF, you must pay in full prior to starting the process. Due to the amount of medical issues ahead with the PCOS, the IVF and trying to avoid more miscarriages, the upfront costs for her are $20-30,000.
I am looking out to all of our friends and family to try to help out with 30-50% of the costs, to at least get them started! The sooner they can pay the money up front, the sooner they can begin their journey of having a family! She sure is an excellent auntie. If you know my sister, you know she DESERVES to be a mother as much as she WANTS to be a mother.
Organizer and beneficiary
Carissa Housley
Beneficiary