IVF Puzzle Fundraiser for Danielle & Nick

Hello. My name is Danielle and my boyfriend Nick and I are having a puzzle fundraiser to help support our fertility journey.

After countless doctor appointments, tests, and surgeries, I discovered in November of 2019 that I could not get pregnant naturally. This has not been an easy journey and will likely only get harder. However, I believe that at the end of all this struggle, it will all be worth it.

My Fertility Journey:

I had tried getting pregnant on and off for 6 years and always wondered if there was something wrong with me. I wasn’t sure if it was a female or male fertility issue, as my husband at the time had already had one child. For years my OBGYN told me “You haven’t tried consistently for long enough,” or “I am sure you are fine, you’re young!” People told me for years “it will happen when it is supposed to” or “stop trying so hard and it will happen when you least expect it”. My biggest regret is waiting so long to meet with a fertility specialist. In October of 2019, I finally met with a Reproductive Endocrinologist. The doctor ran some blood tests, all which were normal, so he suggested an HSG (Hysterosalpingography) which is an x-ray procedure that looks at your fallopian tubes and uterus with the assistance of contrast material.

In November of 2019, I had the HSG procedure done. This procedure is supposed to be relatively painless, but that was not the case for me. I was in such excruciating pain during the procedure that I passed out at the end of it. After the procedure, the doctor told Nick and I that both of my tubes were blocked, and my right tube had hydrosalpinx. Hydrosalpinx means that my right tube was full of toxic fluid and was dilating. Dilating makes the tube inflate like a balloon which is why the procedure was so painful. Since both tubes were not functional, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) would be our only option to get pregnant. However, before starting IVF, I would need to remove my right tube due to the hydrosalpinx because it could make IVF unsuccessful.

In July of 2020, I was scheduled to get a right tubal litigation (removal). However, the doctor ended up removing my left tube due to it now having hydrosalpinx. My right tube was still blocked, but it no longer had hydrosalpinx, so the doctor decided not to remove it. About a year and a half later I learned that hydrosalpinx could come back to my right tube. This meant I would need to have another HSG procedure done and possibly another tubal litigation before I could start IVF. In June of 2022, I had another HSG procedure which confirmed that the hydrosalpinx had come back. In August of 2022, I had my right (and final) fallopian tube removed.

Now that both of my fallopian tubes have been removed and hydrosalpinx is no longer a concern, IVF is our next step. Nick and I can start the IVF process whenever we are ready to start our family.

IVF Information/Data:

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is when a woman’s mature egg(s) are collected from the ovaries and fertilized, then either transferred into the woman’s uterus or frozen for a later transfer.

IVF success rates are not 100%, but closer to 50-60%. After I turn 35 in January of 2023, my chances will lower to about 38%.

IVF is not covered under most health insurances including mine. The cost of IVF is normally about $15,000 to $20,000 plus the cost of medications which is about $6,000 to $8,000. Luckily, we found a clinic where IVF is around $10,000 plus the cost of the medications.

Though Nick and I have made a conscious effort to save everything we can, it simply will not be enough.

We have been asked by friends and family if we would be asking for or allowing donations. We have decided to do a puzzle fundraiser for those of you who would like to donate. We want to have a way to commemorate your support.

Please do not feel obligated to donate. Your well wishes and support are greatly appreciated.

For our fundraiser, we have purchased a puzzle that has 500 pieces. Each piece will represent the individual/couple who donated to help us.

Here is how the puzzle fundraiser will work:

Along with your donation, please let us know what name(s) you would like on the piece(s).

Once our puzzle has been completed, we will frame it and hang it in our future nursery. This will be a beautiful keepsake for us to cherish forever! We will always look back and be reminded of your generosity and love for our family!

You will be a part of completing the missing piece to our puzzle!