Our IVF Journey

My name is Amanda, and I am 43 years old. I live in Illinois with my husband. For the past few years, we have been on a challenging journey to conceive. Like many couples, we started with natural methods and medication-assisted timed intercourse, but those efforts have not brought us the joy we so desperately seek. Recently, we went through a round of egg retrieval, and while we were hopeful, we were only able to secure five fertilized embryos. Unfortunately, none of them reached the blastocyst stage by Day 6. This experience has left me feeling incredibly disheartened. I have invested so much time and energy into planning my life in a way that would allow me to be a parent. I completed my education, worked hard to establish my career, and waited until I was in a stable financial position before trying to start a family. My intention was always to avoid the struggles that my mother and grandmother faced as single mothers. Now, it feels as though my dreams are slipping away despite my best efforts. The biggest challenge for me has been grappling with the feeling of failure. It’s difficult to reconcile the planning and preparation I put into my life with the setbacks we have faced on this journey. I feel as though I'm being punished for wanting to do things the right way. Each setback, each disappointment, feels like a weight on my heart. It has been an emotional rollercoaster for both my husband and me, and we have faced heartbreak, including a miscarriage that only deepened our pain. Applying for this grant represents more than just financial support; it symbolizes a chance for me to fulfill my dream of becoming a mother. The funds would allow us to pursue additional treatments, including ICSI, assisted hatching, PGT-A, and covering out-of-pocket surgicenter fees. With this support, I would have a renewed sense of hope and the ability to continue our journey toward parenthood. Having a child is something I have always envisioned for my life, and it feels like there is a piece of me that remains missing without children. I want to share my life and love with a little one, to create a family with my husband. This opportunity would mean everything to us and provide us with the chance to overcome the emotional and financial hurdles we've faced. Thank you for considering my story. I hope to have the opportunity to embrace motherhood and create a loving home filled with laughter and joy.

How we'll use the funds: ICSI, assisted hatching, PGT-A, and out-of-pocket surgicenter fee for two more retrieval rounds.