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Help Us Go from 2 to 3! (TinyT IVF)

Callie Thompson es la persona que organiza esta recaudación de fondos.

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Hey, guess what?! Robert and I are trying to grow our family, YAY! We have been together for six years and married for two. Two cats, buying our home, and one (very derpy) dog later, we’ve been through loss and celebration. We want to share the wonder of adding a child to our home, but we need your help!

As some of you know, neither of us are particularly shy . We got hitched in spring of 2016 and went off birth control shortly thereafter. The OBG did not waste our time and recommended we see an endocrinologist; by July 2017 we were. A series of testing and workups on both of us eliminated several challenges and variables. So far, we have been able to balance stress and financial pressures with enjoyment of our day to day life. We chose to relax and enjoy the holidays with our family and friends before proceeding with more aggressive treatment. In 2018, we have completed four cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI) unsuccessfully. But each time we learned more about the medication and effects on my body; I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

What we know so far:

The Good: We can make my body cooperate with medication.

The Not So Good/Bad: It takes large volumes of expensive medication to makes my body cooperate.

The Ugly: The higher the dose, the higher the risk of complications – to me (and to us), increased risk of multiples, and higher risk pregnancy.

·         We and our doctor agree we do not want to make the news, get a reality show, or have a football team as part of our story.

·         We understand the increased risk of multiples and would happily welcome twins (a bargain at two for one!).

·         We understand there are a lot of steps, statistics and situations between being referred to a specialist, testing, a positive pregnancy test, and celebrating the birth of a healthy baby.

Everyone’s story is different. This is ours:

It is sometimes difficult to ask for help, but we are asking. We have been able to deal with expenses thus far because we have saved, planned, and used our knowledge/experience with insurance to maximize benefits through in-network doctors and coding procedures under PCOS treatment as possible. Out of pocket expense has been covered by our HSA, savings, and as needed fronting the payment on credit.

Even so, we are nearly $20,000 out of pocket since July 2017. Our health insurance provides zero coverage for infertility.

As it has become relevant, we have shared with coworkers, friends, and family. Openness in this process has resulted in the chance to hear amazing stories and experiences of friends, family, coworkers and strangers. We are LUCKY to have such a strong support network, thank you!

Our options looking forward:

Our doctor has three (count them 3, ah, ah) programs for IVF: single cycle, discounted, and shared risk.

·         The single cycle is $12,000 and has no guarantees or discounts for one round of IVF.

·         The discount program is $22,000 and provides three cycles for the price of two (slightly discounted from one).

·         The third is a shared risk program for $22,000 and provides SIX cycles of IVF for the flat fee, with the guarantee of money back if unsuccessful. SUCCESS is defined as a live birth, NOT a positive pregnancy test.

Based on our situation, doctors recommend we move to IVF and support our interest in the Shared Risk Program. As a silver lining, having no insurance coverage is one of the requirements for Shared Risk. IVF brings our chances up to 60% success per cycle! From now through the end of June we are prescreening and stabilizing my hormones to establish a fresh baseline. In more good news, our bloodwork was good, my uterus is normal, tubes are open for business, Robert’s numbers are off the charts, and only my pesky ovaries prove to be uncooperative.

Why fundraising?

We are currently scheduled to kick off the start of the cycle the first week of July. We are looking into grants, personal loans, fertility loans, personal credit and medical credit. However, we need to provide payment in full prior to starting an IVF cycle in early July.

Our goal is the cost of the Shared Risk Program. We are committed to covering prescreening treatments ($2000+) and medications ($3500-5000 per cycle).

However, IVF is a large investment and we are reaching out to you for help! We know everyone has different circumstances – anything helps! Really!

Your contribution:

All funds will go towards our IVF plan. IF we are unsuccessful, funds will be returned to us, and we will return them to you. BUT, we’re not just asking for financial support. To keep it entertaining we are also accepting ideas for potential names for Tiny Thompson!

Other ways you can help:

·         Help us spread the word! Use this link to share on social media and email: www.gofundme.com/tinythompson

·         Ask us about our story and/or share your story! The bigger the conversation about infertility and the issues that cause it the better the support will be.

·         Be supportive and considerate. Many persons or couples with infertility are not comfortable discussing their struggles. Many have faced ignorant comments and questions, varying from in jest to blatant ignorance, but they are often hurtful all the same. Think before you speak, put yourself in their shoes and be sure it comes from love and support.

Thank you so much for your love and support! We are excited to keep moving forward and closer to a little one of our own! Love and bear hugs. <3

– Robert & Callie