Carly's Path to Motherhood Amid Illness

Help Carly Freeze Her Eggs and Preserve Her Dream of Motherhood

My daughter Carly is 38 years old and facing a critical, time-sensitive decision—one that no woman should have to make under the pressure of chronic illness. She has chosen to undergo egg retrieval and freezing in the hopes of one day fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a mother.

For the past nine years, Carly has lived with a confusing, devastating range of health symptoms that began suddenly and worsened over time. These symptoms didn’t appear all at once—they surfaced slowly, relentlessly, and never went away. Throughout this time, Carly has seen over 34 doctors and specialists, some multiple times, desperately searching for answers while enduring constant pain and fatigue.

Over the years, Carly has gone through countless tests—many of them painful and invasive—including MRIs, CT scans, venograms, bloodwork, nerve block injections, radiofrequency ablations, lumbar punctures, and a blood patch procedure. These were not just inconvenient or uncomfortable—they were physically and emotionally draining, often providing no answers or relief.

It wasn’t until April of this year—after nearly a decade of suffering—that she finally received a diagnosis: Variable Nutcracker Syndrome and May-Thurner Syndrome, both rare and complex vein compression conditions that can cause severe, chronic symptoms.

Carly’s Nutcracker Syndrome is being monitored closely, but her May-Thurner Syndrome requires immediate treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a stent placement in her left common iliac vein, a major procedure that we hope will relieve at least part of her daily suffering. But she has to do the egg retrieval before the stent placement.

Carly’s life has been completely disrupted by her condition. Some of her most persistent and painful symptoms include:

Chronic, unrelenting head pressure and pain every day for the past 3 years—with no relief from medications or therapies

Chronic pelvic and flank pain that has lasted daily for more than 6 years and has affected her ability to drive a car

Extreme fatigue, no matter how much rest she gets

Despite all this, Carly has continued to work full-time while managing her symptoms, showing a level of strength and determination that humbles me as her parent. There were days she came close to giving up—when the pain was too great, when the answers felt too far out of reach, and when disability felt like the only option. But she never quit. She kept pushing forward, hoping one day she'd not only get a diagnosis, but also regain control of her life.

Though a diagnosis has come, the fight isn’t over.

With her condition finally understood but time no longer on her side, Carly has made the difficult and emotional decision to freeze her eggs. She has always dreamed of having children—of finding the right partner and raising a family—but her condition has delayed that path. Her desire to be a mother has never faded, even through years of pain and uncertainty.

She is now facing the possibility that she may not be able to carry a child herself due to her vascular issues, which makes preserving her fertility all the more urgent. The cost of egg retrieval and medication is not covered by her insurance, and the expense is significant—thousands of dollars upfront.

This is where we humbly ask for your support.

Every dollar raised will go directly toward:

The egg retrieval procedure

Fertility medications, which are extensive and costly

Associated medical expenses not covered by insurance

Carly has fought so hard for so long. She has waited patiently for a diagnosis, carried her pain quietly, and never stopped working toward a future she believed in—even when that future felt out of reach. Now, she's finally in a place where action can be taken. This is her moment, and with your help, she can take this life-affirming step toward preserving her dream of having a family.

Please consider donating, sharing, or simply offering words of encouragement. Your support means the world to Carly and to all of us who love her.

With deepest gratitude,

Her Mom and biggest cheerleader, Sue Peterson