I was not going to post this but a friend told me, “If there is something you really desire don’t ever let pride get in your way.”

I have only told a good handful of people that Mary and I are facing, what seems to be all too common nowadays, infertility; specifically, hydrosalpinx (fallopian tube becomes blocked and fills with clear or serous fluid near the ovary.). So my boys go in and they get flushed back out.

Let's back up a bit. At times, Mary would feel sick in the morning or feel nauseous and have stomach aches. “Maybe I am pregnant?”. She would say excitedly. Several disappointing tests later, year after year, from October 2017 to the summer of 2022 have all been negative.

Summer of 2022 Mary was lying on the examination table, Dr. Roache injected the testing liquid to see her body’s reaction. I knew something was wrong when the Doctor and the assistant made statements like, “Yep”, “Okay, okay”, or just hummed casually. The tone just did not sound comforting.

After the examination, they had us both in a small room with exactly four chairs for me, Mary, Dr. Roach, and her assistant. We all took our seats. Dr. Roach then told us explained what Hydrosalpinx is and regretfully informed us that there was no solution.

She explained that there was no way for Mary to get pregnant naturally because my boys were getting flushed out along with the egg due to Mary’s tubes being scarred.

Mary’s heart sank with devastation. To hear that “You cannot get pregnant naturally” was like a pro boxer landing a gut punch; like a heavy blow to her womanhood. I was frozen in time and had no clue what to say. Mary’s tears still fell uncontrollably. I tried to maintain eye contact with the doctors but I was not looking at anyone. For a moment I held my breath and then began breathing slowly. Mary let out a little gasp for air. Hearing her, I broke out of my trance and placed my arms around her. We both sat in silence for a moment then I said “At least we now know and we don’t have to wonder anymore.” Dr. Roach echoed the sentiment and her assistant handed Mary a tissue, at the same time, wiping away her own tears.

A few months later, Mary underwent surgery to remove her fallopian tubes. Dr. Roach had explained that even with in vitro fertilization (IVF), the fluid from the tubes would flush out the egg, necessitating their removal.

We are now at the point of egg retrieval which costs $6,168.20; and includes the initial examination in Knoxville for the Mini Stem IVF. This does not include the two-week stay in Knoxville for implantation or my lab collections.

If you would like to help us add a new member to our family we have started a campaign and would appreciate your gifts and prayers.