Frequently Asked Questions (in our Fertility Journey)
Will You Keep Trying?
Our first IVF attempt didn't work. This mixed with numerous times of IUI has left us a bit perplexed and also has us moving toward a point that we are ready to close up the chapter of medical pursuits. At this point, we are still looking at adoption and what this would look like including which agency to use and if we want to go domestic or international.
Why Did You Pursue IVF?
There are many reasons but for us this is what we believe is the next step for us. The mystery of why we haven't been able to have kids yet is still a mystery but we feel this is the next step and the journey that we are choosing to accept. There are many people who are currently facing infertility and our hope is that by sharing our story it will be an encouragement to other couple walking in this hard and even uncomfortable storyline.
Have You Shared Your Story Before or Blogged About It?
Yes. In 2010, Jenn began a blog called Hopeful Hearts. You can read various accounts of our family growth journey here. Additionally, we will post more on this website as the process continues.
Is there a Guarantee Result? What if it doesn't work?
No. Ultimately God is the creator of life. While we and doctors can do everything we can do, we still face many unknowns.
Yes, there are risks that it may not work. But even with that knowledge, we are taking all of this one day at a time and choosing to live in hope. The only guarantee result is that our faith will increase.
Wouldn't Adoption Be a Better Option?
Maybe or maybe not. Adoption is something we love and also have on our hearts and might still be something in our future. But at this point, we wanted to do all we could to not have regrets when it comes to the pursuit of growing our family.
What Is In Vitro?
In Vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common and most effective type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help women become pregnant. The procedure involves fertilizing an egg outside the body, in a laboratory dish, and then implanting it in a woman's uterus. In a normal pregnancy a male sperm penetrates a woman's egg and fertilizes it inside her body after ovulation - when a mature egg has been released from the ovaries. The fertilized egg (now an embryo) then attaches itself to the wall of the uterus (womb) and begins developing into a baby. This is known as natural conception. However, some women are unable to become pregnant through natural or unassisted conception and have to undergo fertility treatment to become pregnant.
If less expensive fertility techniques do not work, some women may decide to opt for IVF. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, about 1% of U.S. infants are conceived through IVF. To date, IVF has contributed to approximately 5 million births.
What Are The Costs?
The basic IVF procedure cost around $11,000 which covers all of the work in the lab, procedures, doctors fees etc. In addition prescription medications cost between $3,000 and $5,000. All donations we receive will go toward these costs.
What Is Josh's Cancer Story?
In 1993, age 15, Josh was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After undergoing many test, the doctors found an 8 pound tumor that doctors believed had been growing inside him since he was young. He had major surgery to remove the cancerous tumor and most of his right lung. He went through six months of chemo and six weeks of radiation. For the next many years, Josh had checkups to a point there he was considered in remission. Then in 2003, Josh noticed a lump in his neck that had not went away after cold. At the age of 25, Josh was once again diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma as cancer was found in the lymph-node in his neck. At this point, Josh and Jenn had just celebrated their one year anniversary. Doctors suspected this was the same strain of cancer and that some how a small portion of it had stayed inside and grew once again.
Josh again went through six month of chemo and six weeks of radiation (maxing out on the amount of radiation recommended for life).
Each part of this battle was a battle and we are thankful for doctors who understand how to fight this disease and for our God who heals in the midst. Today, almost 11 years after finishing cancer treatments the second time, Josh is now in remission again. His ten year test came back clear, and we are more than grateful. The word cancer still is frightening.
Our first IVF attempt didn't work. This mixed with numerous times of IUI has left us a bit perplexed and also has us moving toward a point that we are ready to close up the chapter of medical pursuits. At this point, we are still looking at adoption and what this would look like including which agency to use and if we want to go domestic or international.
Why Did You Pursue IVF?
There are many reasons but for us this is what we believe is the next step for us. The mystery of why we haven't been able to have kids yet is still a mystery but we feel this is the next step and the journey that we are choosing to accept. There are many people who are currently facing infertility and our hope is that by sharing our story it will be an encouragement to other couple walking in this hard and even uncomfortable storyline.
Have You Shared Your Story Before or Blogged About It?
Yes. In 2010, Jenn began a blog called Hopeful Hearts. You can read various accounts of our family growth journey here. Additionally, we will post more on this website as the process continues.
Is there a Guarantee Result? What if it doesn't work?
No. Ultimately God is the creator of life. While we and doctors can do everything we can do, we still face many unknowns.
Yes, there are risks that it may not work. But even with that knowledge, we are taking all of this one day at a time and choosing to live in hope. The only guarantee result is that our faith will increase.
Wouldn't Adoption Be a Better Option?
Maybe or maybe not. Adoption is something we love and also have on our hearts and might still be something in our future. But at this point, we wanted to do all we could to not have regrets when it comes to the pursuit of growing our family.
What Is In Vitro?
In Vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common and most effective type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help women become pregnant. The procedure involves fertilizing an egg outside the body, in a laboratory dish, and then implanting it in a woman's uterus. In a normal pregnancy a male sperm penetrates a woman's egg and fertilizes it inside her body after ovulation - when a mature egg has been released from the ovaries. The fertilized egg (now an embryo) then attaches itself to the wall of the uterus (womb) and begins developing into a baby. This is known as natural conception. However, some women are unable to become pregnant through natural or unassisted conception and have to undergo fertility treatment to become pregnant.
If less expensive fertility techniques do not work, some women may decide to opt for IVF. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, about 1% of U.S. infants are conceived through IVF. To date, IVF has contributed to approximately 5 million births.
What Are The Costs?
The basic IVF procedure cost around $11,000 which covers all of the work in the lab, procedures, doctors fees etc. In addition prescription medications cost between $3,000 and $5,000. All donations we receive will go toward these costs.
What Is Josh's Cancer Story?
In 1993, age 15, Josh was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After undergoing many test, the doctors found an 8 pound tumor that doctors believed had been growing inside him since he was young. He had major surgery to remove the cancerous tumor and most of his right lung. He went through six months of chemo and six weeks of radiation. For the next many years, Josh had checkups to a point there he was considered in remission. Then in 2003, Josh noticed a lump in his neck that had not went away after cold. At the age of 25, Josh was once again diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma as cancer was found in the lymph-node in his neck. At this point, Josh and Jenn had just celebrated their one year anniversary. Doctors suspected this was the same strain of cancer and that some how a small portion of it had stayed inside and grew once again.
Josh again went through six month of chemo and six weeks of radiation (maxing out on the amount of radiation recommended for life).
Each part of this battle was a battle and we are thankful for doctors who understand how to fight this disease and for our God who heals in the midst. Today, almost 11 years after finishing cancer treatments the second time, Josh is now in remission again. His ten year test came back clear, and we are more than grateful. The word cancer still is frightening.