Jen and Jose's IVF Fundraiser

I always told everyone that I wanted to have four children. Two sets of twins, like the Bobbsey twins, but the Black version. I know what you’re thinking (CRAZY). That’s what my family told me. But I loved kids. And I knew that when I grew up I wanted to be a Mom. When I got into my thirties I started to realize that my plans would have to change. No prince charming yet. So I thought, “I will strike out on my own and do it by myself.” Yes, (GASP), I would pull a Murphy Brown and become an intelligent professional woman who had a child on her own (PRAISE TO ALL SINGLE MOMS). Then, at 36, I met Jose. I met someone who is kind, thoughtful, and funny.  Jose didn’t put me in a box (NO ONE PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER).  He is my sweet prince, my Adonis….okay you get the picture that this is the man I want to have children with.

We started trying and nothing.  We eventually sought out assessment at a fertility clinic and the outcome was heartbreaking. I have diminished ovarian reserves and a low antral follicle count. They counseled me that IVF is the only option that I have to get pregnant. The cost ranges from $15,000 to $20,000 not including medication costs (SAY WHAT?). Shouldn’t insurance cover my fertility cost? Because I see money from my paycheck going toward my insurance each month. Well, the funny thing about my insurance is that even though it covers some of my fertility cost there’s a lot of fine print (INSURANCE IS A SCAM…MY PERSONAL OPIONION).

When we did our first IVF we discovered that the medication cost more using my insurance then out of pocket. We paid $5,300 for the first round of fertility drugs. We started the IVF process with high hopes. Each night Jose and I filled the syringes full of drugs hoping to stimulate follicles and get lots of eggs (ENOUGH FOR A EASTER EGG HUNT).  But the first IVF failed, and we were crushed. Not only was it mentally and physically draining, but now we are faced with a difficult decision.

 The cost of IVF is prohibitive and we are not able to afford a second IVF. It took a lot of soul searching and talking to friends, but Jose and I came to the decision that Hilary Clinton is right– that it takes a village (YES, I’M CORNY). Sometimes you have to put pride aside and ask for help. Both Jose and I would greatly appreciate any amount of money you can donate that would help us have a baby.  No one can predict the outcome of the IVF process, but I can say with certainty that Jose and I will be parents. The next step in our journey will be adoption. Thanks for being a part of our journey.