Support Christina & Louie's Miracle in the Making

Anyone who knows Christina knows that she is thoughtful, caring, and generous. Christina’s heart has always been to enjoy her life with her friends and family, whether if it's planning get-togethers, keeping in touch, remembering important dates, or supporting those she loves. Naturally, all of her beautiful traits make her the perfect future mother which she deeply aspires to be. But, as many of you know, Christina’s early medical history has unpredictably brought her through a fertility journey, which has recently resulted in the loss of an unborn child.

 

At the age of four years old, Christina was diagnosed with Leukemia, which resulted in treatments involving total body radiation, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant. At the time, there was no evidence or information related to the impact that this may have on her future fertility. At 21 years old, her journey began, but it was when Christina was navigating her life as a young woman with a lot of new information and decisions about her future life to take in. During this time, Christina met with Penn Medicine fertility clinic, who shared that she had fewer eggs than the average 21-year-old and was subsequently placed in a study. At 28, once Christina was married, she successfully became pregnant, but at six weeks, she miscarried. After the loss, Christina was told her blood levels showed her to be in a perimenopausal state, which propelled her to go on an emotional, physical, and spiritual journey. This involved holistic treatment to bring on her own menstrual cycle. After twelve weeks and over a thousand dollars later, while being treated with acupuncture and herbs, a menstrual cycle returned; however, there was no success. Afterward, Christina met with a new doctor, where she was prescribed various medications to form follicles, with countless appointments to and from Philadelphia to New Jersey to get blood tests and ultrasounds while paying out of pocket. Many months went by, and a follicle was formed, and pregnancy was successful! Unfortunately, after six weeks, the baby was lost.

 

These experiences substantially impacted Christina mentally, emotionally, and financially. As those who have experienced loss on any level, it is not only challenging to reframe your mind after a loss, but it also impacts your faith, trust, and hope in miracles. Despite these setbacks, Christina became more driven with the support of her husband, Louie. Her inner desire to become a mother overtook her loss and an internal sense to continue her journey persevered. Once healed, Christina returned back to Penn Medicine Fertility, where they found fibroids, which were taken out through a surgery called a myomectomy in September of 2021, with three removed. Christina had to heal after this surgery, which delayed her ability to try again for six months. At her seven month of healing, she was told through a saline guided ultrasound that there was a polyp (which she has had several removed throughout her life) which needed to come out before she could try again, which was another setback and delay. By June 2021, the polyp was removed and by October 2021 Christina was able to try again while choosing to use fertility medication in order to assist her body.

 

The treatment was successful! A miracle happened! Christina carried her child healthfully, her six-week mark came easily and it seemed like the light at the end of the tunnel was approaching. Although Christina was experiencing symptom after symptom from medical treatment plus the natural symptoms of pregnancy, she never once complained. In the early stages, she chose to keep the pregnancy private to enjoy her time with this miracle while also playing it safe for the health of her child and herself. During this time, COVID-19 was at a high, with her being extremely cautious. She chose to find a job to work remotely, was careful with her diet before and during the pregnancy, meditated, prayed, did not overextend her body, and was continuously thanking God for her miracle. During Christmas of 2021, Christina was able to share the news with her family, who were overjoyed and overwhelmed with happiness for her, knowing of her journey. At 16 weeks, Christina and Louie had already heard the heartbeat and knew the gender of her child, a girl. The joy and the reality of their baby girl coming into the world was coming to a reality. However, unexpectedly, with no prior symptoms, Christina experienced a premature rupture of membranes (water broke early) with doctors being unable to determine the cause. The result of this loss resulted in an invasive surgery, which was painful, traumatic, and came at the loss of her child, who Christina and Louie were able to clearly see a week before in an ultrasound.

 

This experience has not only been traumatic, but it was also costly. The journey through fertility, medically and through holistic support is not cheap. It is costly of time, money, energy, and health. After this last experience, Christina and her husband Louie have been financially impacted, but there is still hope. Christina’s medical team have no reason to determine that she cannot carry and believe that with the assistance of fertility treatments she can certainly carry full-term. Christina and Louie continue to know within their hearts that they can create the family they aspire to have, but as Christina’s childhood friend (Kristina) and cousin (Gina) we know how much a Go Fund Me can help them with being able to try again without the burden and worry of where the money will come from. This relief could take the stress off of having to worry about loans, funding, and having to pay anything back. Christina’s plan is to revisit her journey through Penn Medicine in the very near future and if there are any undetermined setbacks the next step would be a surrogate. The importance of being parents and creating a family is one of Christina and Louie’s ultimate goals in life. And as stated above, she would be the perfect mother, with her nurturing, loving, kind, thoughtful, and generous personality. With Louie being the perfect father, as the provider, fun, loving, and caring person he is. We would like to ask for those who see the beautiful light in Christina to consider assisting her through what we believe to be her LAST stage of this arduous journey to show her that miracles DO happen and will!

 

If there are any questions in the process, please contact Kristina or Gina! We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts!