Let's Show Lauren and Paul Support
Donation protected
Our friends Paul and Lauren Do have gracefully and quietly walked through almost four years of infertility treatment. After two failed IVF cycles, a heart breaking miscarriage, and 3 failed IUIs, they are poised to try a third IVF, with a new clinic, Northwestern, and a new plan in late March of this year. We have hoped and prayed with them with each attempt and cried and encouraged after each disappointment and loss. Since celebrating their marriage with them, we have been waiting for the news that we could throw a baby shower for Baby Do. This isn't in the cards yet; but, with a $25,000 price tag on this next round of IVF, that will largely be out of pocket because of Lauren reaching her lifetime insurance benefits for infertility treatment and portions of the recommendations not being covered by insurance, what they most need is a "Maybe Baby (IVF) shower". To that end, we are setting up this goFundme site. I know Paul and Lauren will be appreciative of all support whether financial or emotional. Let's fill the comment section with good wishes and prayers and meet their $10,000 goal. Donations of $20 or more will receive a Mike Dillon CD while supplies last. Donations of $500 within driving distance of Chicago will receive a four course meal fixed by Paul Do. Let's raise some dough for Maybe Baby Do. All donations will go directly to Paul and Lauren. GoFundme takes 5 percent as an operating expense. Paul and Lauren's full story follows.
The Steinhofers
PAUL AND LAUREN'S INFERTILITY JOURNEY
Paul and I would like to share our family story with you. Paul and I were married on a lovely July day in 2011. I was 37 years old at the time, and Paul and I both knew we wanted to immediately begin building a family. Like most women interested in having children, I daydreamed about names and nurseries never imagining that I would have trouble . However, after six months and many negative pregnancy test kits, I made an appointment with my doctor to discuss our future. After tests and procedures, I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. That diagnosis coupled with my age led to a recommendation by my doctor to try IVF.
We were hopeful that after the fibroids were removed, we would have a successful IVF in September 2012; however, we had to cancel the cycle because of early ovulation. This was an indication that I had a diminished ovarian reserve. I learned that 1 in 8 women will face an infertility diagnosis. The reality that I was the 1 in the 1 in 8 began to sink in. Finally, in November 2012, we completed our first attempt at IVF. Unfortunately,it was unsuccessful. A couple months later in January 2013, I had to have another hysteroscopy/laparoscopy to check for more fibroids and have scar tissue removed.
After the remaining fibroids were removed, we began prepping for another IVF cycle. However, before the cycle was set to begin, I found out that I was pregnant in May 2013. Our joy quickly turned to heartbreak when I miscarried at 6 weeks. The summer following the miscarriage was rough. I had two more hysteaoscopies to remove fibroids. We were scheduled to begin another cycle of IVF in September 2013, but like the year before, we had to cancel the cycle because of early ovulation.
Finally, in November 2013, still hopeful, we started our second IVF cycle. We were able to produce one viable embryo; however, the cycle was ultimately unsuccessful. After hearing the devastating news, I was confused and conflicted . Not only had our second attempt at IVF failed, but our insurance benefits for IVF had also expired. I was faced with a harsh reality: our only chance at conceiving was through IUI, a procedure with much less success than IVF. Undaunted, we tried IUI twice but were unsuccessful. In March of 2014, I had my fifth hysteroscopy/laparoscopy to check my uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. Afterward, we were green lit for another round of IUI.
However, in April 2014, our third attempt at IUI failed. We were losing confidence in the clinic that had been servicing us and decided to take our fertility needs to Northwestern Hospital. After consulting the doctors at Northwestern, we have a new course of action in place.
We have the utmost confidence in the doctors and nurses at Northwestern, and believe that their new recommendations will help us succeed with our third IVF in late March of this year. However, because I have reached my lifetime insurance benefits limit allowed for infertility treatments, our procedures in March and April are not covered by insurance. Thus, we are asking for any support you may be able to provide to help us start our loving family. Your generosity will not be taken lightly and we will be forever grateful. Family is the most important thing in our lives. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.
Love and Hope,
Paul and Lauren
The Steinhofers
PAUL AND LAUREN'S INFERTILITY JOURNEY
Paul and I would like to share our family story with you. Paul and I were married on a lovely July day in 2011. I was 37 years old at the time, and Paul and I both knew we wanted to immediately begin building a family. Like most women interested in having children, I daydreamed about names and nurseries never imagining that I would have trouble . However, after six months and many negative pregnancy test kits, I made an appointment with my doctor to discuss our future. After tests and procedures, I was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. That diagnosis coupled with my age led to a recommendation by my doctor to try IVF.
We were hopeful that after the fibroids were removed, we would have a successful IVF in September 2012; however, we had to cancel the cycle because of early ovulation. This was an indication that I had a diminished ovarian reserve. I learned that 1 in 8 women will face an infertility diagnosis. The reality that I was the 1 in the 1 in 8 began to sink in. Finally, in November 2012, we completed our first attempt at IVF. Unfortunately,it was unsuccessful. A couple months later in January 2013, I had to have another hysteroscopy/laparoscopy to check for more fibroids and have scar tissue removed.
After the remaining fibroids were removed, we began prepping for another IVF cycle. However, before the cycle was set to begin, I found out that I was pregnant in May 2013. Our joy quickly turned to heartbreak when I miscarried at 6 weeks. The summer following the miscarriage was rough. I had two more hysteaoscopies to remove fibroids. We were scheduled to begin another cycle of IVF in September 2013, but like the year before, we had to cancel the cycle because of early ovulation.
Finally, in November 2013, still hopeful, we started our second IVF cycle. We were able to produce one viable embryo; however, the cycle was ultimately unsuccessful. After hearing the devastating news, I was confused and conflicted . Not only had our second attempt at IVF failed, but our insurance benefits for IVF had also expired. I was faced with a harsh reality: our only chance at conceiving was through IUI, a procedure with much less success than IVF. Undaunted, we tried IUI twice but were unsuccessful. In March of 2014, I had my fifth hysteroscopy/laparoscopy to check my uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. Afterward, we were green lit for another round of IUI.
However, in April 2014, our third attempt at IUI failed. We were losing confidence in the clinic that had been servicing us and decided to take our fertility needs to Northwestern Hospital. After consulting the doctors at Northwestern, we have a new course of action in place.
We have the utmost confidence in the doctors and nurses at Northwestern, and believe that their new recommendations will help us succeed with our third IVF in late March of this year. However, because I have reached my lifetime insurance benefits limit allowed for infertility treatments, our procedures in March and April are not covered by insurance. Thus, we are asking for any support you may be able to provide to help us start our loving family. Your generosity will not be taken lightly and we will be forever grateful. Family is the most important thing in our lives. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.
Love and Hope,
Paul and Lauren
Organizer
Paul Do
Organizer
Chicago, IL
