My name is Charie Lacy, and I have been struggling with infertility for almost 2 years. In December 2017, I went in for my annual check-up and to get started to trying to conceive starting in 2018. I was seeing an advanced gynecologist as I’ve always had painful periods. She noticed a cyst on one of my ovaries, but wasn’t too concerned and started me on my vitamins and said, “we think you have endometriosis, so it might take you a few months to conceive.” I thought I was fine, and I wasn’t too worried.
In January 2018 we “pulled the goalie” and were trying but not using ovulation sticks or anything too crazy. At the end of January I was in a terrible car accident and that led to me randomly bleeding shortly after. We believe I conceived that month naturally. Unfortunately, from there on out I would randomly bleed, spot, have short periods; my whole cycle was off. I went to my doctors several times. We ran tests to see if my tubes were blocked; they weren’t. And finally my doctor said we should take another look. She then noticed my cyst that we had found in December of 2017 was there and seemed larger; it had grown. She was concerned that if I conceived with this cyst, it would torsion my ovaries and be detrimental to me and the baby. Within two weeks I was scheduled for exploratory surgery for endometriosis and cycsts.
I remember waking up for surgery and my first words were, “can I have a baby?” I was reassured I could have babies and all of my parts were still intact. I was a stage 3, borderline 4 of endometriosis before my surgery. My husband’s sperm was also tested during this time. His numbers came back not great, not terrible. At my post op appointment I was told now would be the time to try naturally, but it would be hard and my endometriosis would return. We decided to move forward with IVF.
Our first round of IVF, I only retrieved 2 eggs. But out of those two eggs came two top grade embryos. We decided not to genetically test them due to advisement from our doctor. My first transfer was a fresh transfer and I got pregnant! It was scary as my numbers were borderline low, but wouldn’t you know it – the numbers began to exceed and this baby was holding on. Sadly, at 7 weeks I had a miscarriage. We are almost certain it was due to a Sub-chronic Hemorrhage. Once I miscarried the baby, we had her genetically tested. We found out our baby was genetically perfect – which led them to concern there was something wrong with me.
I then began testing for clotting disorders and a few other things; everything came out negative. To some that might seem good, and it was, but I also wanted answers. We then proceeded with a frozen transfer in February. That resulted in a negative. I then started a full stimulated cycle agin. This time we retrieved 9 eggs, 7 mature and 5 top grade day 5/6 babies (embryos; to me they are my babies) were made. We did another fresh transfer. I felt good, like this was it, but sadly it didn’t work.
We were frustrated, my Doctor included. We then tried a natural ERA test to test my receptivity. It came back receptive. So we proceeded with another frozen transfer, but this time we were doing a natural cycle and putting in two babies! I felt like I did the first transfer and hopeful. I transferred two and felt so positive. I even got a faint positive test early on, but that quickly faded and yet again we were left with no baby.
That was our last transfer in June. We have since moved back home to California from Arizona. Our new insurance does not cover fertility until you are on the Insurance for a full year, which wouldn’t be bad if you didn’t have a disease that is continuing to spread and low ovarian reserve at age 32. We are working on appealing that in hopes we can start sooner. I am currently on Lupron Depot to put me into a medical menopause. I have met with my new doctor and she reminds me a lot of my doctor in Arizona, who I loved.
I have asked both doctors if they think I need a gestational carrier, they both agreed so far that they believe I can carry my children. But if we do need to take that route, I have no reservations about it.
Through all of this, I have days I feel hopeless; that I can’t deny. But! I do feel deep down our next baby will come and we will get to hold him or her. I know God did not take us down this road to not answer our prayers. I pray every night that we will eventually get that baby and I know he or she is waiting to be sent from heaven.
I’m an open book and always willing to share my story with anyone who asks. It can be the most lonely journey ever, but God chose only the strongest mamas to go through this journey.
I know this may be a lot for someone and right now I don’t have my happy ending, but I know I will someday and I will use my story to provide strength to those who feel they just can’t go on. You can!
– Charie Lacy
Instagram: @charierae
Facebook: Charie Lacy
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