Tyson and Rachel's IVF journey
Donation protected
Thanks for taking time out of your day to read our story.
Reaching out on Facebook and “GoFundMe” wasn’t something we initially wanted to do. We thought it would be embarrassing and maybe even appear selfish. Rachel and I have decided to put pride aside because this process has become overwhelming in many different ways and we felt in necessary to reach out.
I met Rachel almost 15 years ago. She and I grew close over the years and eventually became roommates. We lived together for about year before I left for the Navy. Weeks before I left, I had to let her know that I was in love with her. One random night, I gathered the courage to let her know how I felt. We got married six weeks later!
We knew we could have been rushing things, but we knew how we felt about one another. I left for basic training and towards the end of my training, I fell ill. I started losing a lot of blood and weight. I was sent to a civilian doctor who diagnosed me with Ulcerative Colitis. I was medically discharged for having an incurable disease.
My lovely mother in law helped us get back on our feet by letting us stay at her place for a short while until I found a job and we got an apartment. We pinched pennies and worked our way up to buy our first home.
Upon moving into our new home, we decided to make one of our spare rooms into a nursery. We painted, bought a crib, changing table, rocking chair, shelves and a dresser. We hung homemade curtains to really bring it all together. We knew it would happen sooner rather than later, so why not be prepared?
A few years ago, baby fever really hit hard! We had been married for about four years and we were both ready to make strides towards becoming parents. We tried to get pregnant for over a year. With no luck, we decided it was time to seek medical assistance. Seeing your small nieces, nephews and friends’ children is both encouraging and heartbreaking when you yourself are having no luck.
So off to the doctor we went! March 2017. We started with Rachel. We found out that she is as fertile as a woman can be. She aced every test she took. All eyes were on me, I was the problem. After giving the fertility doctor two separate specimen samples, we find out I have ZERO sperm cells on each. He informed us that I would require a procedure to try and acquire usable sperm.
I got my procedure done and the doctor called with good and bad news. Bad news: I will most likely never be able to have children naturally. Good news: We found usable sperm! We already knew we needed to go the IVF route and got started right away.
The IVF process was painful, emotional and VERY stressful. It took a tremendous financial toll. After months of hormone injections, procedures, blood draws, numerous two hours trips to the doctor's office, LOADS of stress we finally made it to Rachel’s egg retrieval! Finally finishing up and gearing to start our family.
The doctor was able to take ten eggs from Rachel. Two of the eggs were not mature enough and six were successfully fertilized. After waiting an exciting handful of days, we went in for the transfer and decided to use two of our embryos. We had no idea that we were about to wait the longest week of our lives!
The afternoon of the transfer day we got a call from the doctor to tell us that our remaining four embryos didn’t survive. We lost them all… All our hope was placed entirely on the two we transferred that morning. We still had the entire week before our pregnancy test.
The day of the pregnancy test arrives. After spending over 20 thousand dollars we find out we are NOT pregnant…We were devastated…
We have spent all the money we had on this to grow our family. Because we don’t have any back up embryos, we have no choice but to start from scratch. All the shots. All the hormones. All the procedures. All the stress.
Any donation would mean everything to us. Rachel and I have been married for seven years now and we are ready for this. Like I said earlier, we were very hesitant to do this. We know everyone has problems and struggles of their own, but this really has been overwhelming for us.
We love all of you and promise to show everyone an endless stream of baby photos when our day finally does come!
Please share,
Tyson and Rachel Tingley
Reaching out on Facebook and “GoFundMe” wasn’t something we initially wanted to do. We thought it would be embarrassing and maybe even appear selfish. Rachel and I have decided to put pride aside because this process has become overwhelming in many different ways and we felt in necessary to reach out.
I met Rachel almost 15 years ago. She and I grew close over the years and eventually became roommates. We lived together for about year before I left for the Navy. Weeks before I left, I had to let her know that I was in love with her. One random night, I gathered the courage to let her know how I felt. We got married six weeks later!
We knew we could have been rushing things, but we knew how we felt about one another. I left for basic training and towards the end of my training, I fell ill. I started losing a lot of blood and weight. I was sent to a civilian doctor who diagnosed me with Ulcerative Colitis. I was medically discharged for having an incurable disease.
My lovely mother in law helped us get back on our feet by letting us stay at her place for a short while until I found a job and we got an apartment. We pinched pennies and worked our way up to buy our first home.
Upon moving into our new home, we decided to make one of our spare rooms into a nursery. We painted, bought a crib, changing table, rocking chair, shelves and a dresser. We hung homemade curtains to really bring it all together. We knew it would happen sooner rather than later, so why not be prepared?
A few years ago, baby fever really hit hard! We had been married for about four years and we were both ready to make strides towards becoming parents. We tried to get pregnant for over a year. With no luck, we decided it was time to seek medical assistance. Seeing your small nieces, nephews and friends’ children is both encouraging and heartbreaking when you yourself are having no luck.
So off to the doctor we went! March 2017. We started with Rachel. We found out that she is as fertile as a woman can be. She aced every test she took. All eyes were on me, I was the problem. After giving the fertility doctor two separate specimen samples, we find out I have ZERO sperm cells on each. He informed us that I would require a procedure to try and acquire usable sperm.
I got my procedure done and the doctor called with good and bad news. Bad news: I will most likely never be able to have children naturally. Good news: We found usable sperm! We already knew we needed to go the IVF route and got started right away.
The IVF process was painful, emotional and VERY stressful. It took a tremendous financial toll. After months of hormone injections, procedures, blood draws, numerous two hours trips to the doctor's office, LOADS of stress we finally made it to Rachel’s egg retrieval! Finally finishing up and gearing to start our family.
The doctor was able to take ten eggs from Rachel. Two of the eggs were not mature enough and six were successfully fertilized. After waiting an exciting handful of days, we went in for the transfer and decided to use two of our embryos. We had no idea that we were about to wait the longest week of our lives!
The afternoon of the transfer day we got a call from the doctor to tell us that our remaining four embryos didn’t survive. We lost them all… All our hope was placed entirely on the two we transferred that morning. We still had the entire week before our pregnancy test.
The day of the pregnancy test arrives. After spending over 20 thousand dollars we find out we are NOT pregnant…We were devastated…
We have spent all the money we had on this to grow our family. Because we don’t have any back up embryos, we have no choice but to start from scratch. All the shots. All the hormones. All the procedures. All the stress.
Any donation would mean everything to us. Rachel and I have been married for seven years now and we are ready for this. Like I said earlier, we were very hesitant to do this. We know everyone has problems and struggles of their own, but this really has been overwhelming for us.
We love all of you and promise to show everyone an endless stream of baby photos when our day finally does come!
Please share,
Tyson and Rachel Tingley
Organizer
Tyson Tingley
Organizer
Sidney, OH