Olsen's Adoption Journey

When I first walked into the restaurant where I was meeting my date for the first time I was so nervous! Was it going to be awkward? Do I shake his hand or hug him? What if he was boring?  Do I order something light or do I go for the steak (my fave!)? Will conversation go well? While I sat there and waited for him, all of these questions were going through my head. I was pretty much on a blind date, I did see his picture. I had all trust in my mother. Yes, she set us up. I won't go through the details of the date but let's just say as soon as he walked in it was not awkward. We did not shake hands, we hugged. The whole date was never boring. I ordered a steak because I felt like I could be myself. Conversation never stopped besides to laugh.  Now 4 years later and married, Chad and I are ready to begin our future with a family of our own. There's only one problem....

In 2007, when I was 24 years old I watched the progression of a lump in my neck get larger over the span of a couple months. I was living on my own working as a server. I would come home late many nights from work and get no sleep due to severe night sweats. I didn't think anything of it and dealt with it. After realizing I was getting chest colds so much I decided to go to the doctor. I brought to his attention the lump in my neck and my symptoms and after that appointment my life changed dramatically.

November of 2007 after surgery and biopsies I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma Stage 2B. I was devistated. I immediately went through 6 months a chemo (ABVD) and 1 month of radiation. I lost my house, my car, and my job. Thankfully my mother was there my side through it all. She moved me in with her and my step-dad and took care of me the only way a mother should. After the chemo and radiation I was on the road to recovery. Or so I thought....6 months later I found I had a re-accurrance. This time the battle was going to be a whole new level. I had to prepare myself for a bone marrow transplant. This was the worst 4 months of my life but I was not about to quit. I was too young to not fight. With support with friends and family as well as doctors and wonderful nurses at Shands, I got through the toughest battle of my life. I was on the road to recovery! Or so I thought...6 months later, the cancer had returned. I couldn't grasp it. Is this a nightmare I am in right now? What now?? I then, picked myself up and did what I had to do. It was my last fight and I wasn't going to lose. Shands hospital found a donor through the bone marrow registry and I was getting ready to fight. I'm not sure if it was because I knew it was my last shot to save my life or not but I was the strongest I had ever been through that battle.  With the help of my donor, Gunnar, from Germany, who I thank from the bottom of my heart and friends and family I had finally beat cancer! Unfortunately with all the trauma my body has endured I was medically induced into early menopause at the age of 26. Fortunately I have my life and good health but am unable to conceive.

It has been a dream of mine to be a mother! And now that I am almost 6 years in remission, have a wonderful husband and the support of friends and family we are ready to parents! Unfortunately due to all the medical bills I had piled up I had to recently file bankruptcy. I am working to building my credit but can't possibly get a loan for the help in adoption costs. The money goes towards lawyer fees, application fees, counseling classes, birth mother expenses and actual adoption cost. Chad and I have never been the type to ask for help but this seemed like a good start to reach out.

We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read our story. We can't wait to begin the process of giving a child a loving home and family!

With Love, The Olsen's