Lizzy and Max's IVF Journey

UPDATE: 6/6/23

With the help from friends, family, and our very flexible employers we made it through egg retrieval, uterine polyp removal and are planning embryo transfer in August or September. We retrieved 5 eggs, two were mature and one made it to the next level and is genetically normal and viable. We have one shot at embryo transfer, no pressure. Our clinic is recommending Embryo Receptivity Analysis which will cost $700 for medications and the testing. This should help ensure we have done absolutely everything we can to be successful when it comes time to transfer. Lizzy continues to work with her endocrinologist and naturopath doctor to improve thyroid and vitamin levels too (costing around $500 per month). We are so grateful for all the support and deeply appreciate contributions to our fund whether it be financial, spiritual, emotional, etc. Onward!

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Hi everyone. We are asking for financial assistance for a round of IVF fertility treatment to give us a chance at being parents and adding a new trail partner to our family.

Lizzy and Max met in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Lizzy is a speech language pathologist working on the frontlines of Covid and Max is a Forest Service archaeologist, working toward his PhD at Binghamton University. We love hiking with our rescue dog Charlie and exploring our adoptive home of Tucson. Earlier this year, Max proposed to Lizzy and had a small courthouse marriage earlier this year with our formal wedding with family and friends is planned for next year.

Knowing both sides of our family struggled with infertility, we proactively consulted with fertility doctors. Lizzy was diagnosed with endometriosis and we were informed IVF was our only viable option for a successful pregnancy. As disheartening as this diagnosis was, we were prepared for this possibility and are moving forward. Since time is of the essence, we are choosing not to delay beginning IVF. We continue to pray daily for strength and patience during this long and challenging process.

Why do we want to be parents? Max can’t wait to take our kiddo hiking, teaching them about every plant, animal, and artifact encountered on the trail. Lizzy is excited to sing with our kid every day, teach them the art of baking, and share her love of animals. We will raise our family in a home built on kindness, learning, diversity, adventure, and art. I think we can all agree that Jill, Mike, Connie, and Bill are going to make the world’s greatest grandparents! We have always wanted to be parents and are ready to do whatever it takes to bring a child into our family.

We have already made sacrifices on our journey to parenthood, including leaving a life in Flagstaff to gain access to more reliable reproductive healthcare in Tucson. We believe with all our hearts that this is the next step on our journey to parenthood. Our loving parents are working with us to help finance this first round of IVF, but statistically it may take multiple tries before we have a successful pregnancy. We are also pursuing IVF financial aid programs to assist with the cost. If you feel called to contribute, every bit helps. We of course know this is a tough time financially for everyone and welcome any thoughts and prayers for our family as we take these steps to bring our child into the world.

Financial summary of our first round of IVF:

Fertility Medication: $4,066

Embryo Testing: $3,500

Embryo Banking: $13,000

Embryo Transfer: $3,090

Total: $23,656