Many individuals face the challenging journey of navigating infertility while maintaining a career. However, they tend to suffer in silence. In this blog post, we will hear the personal story of IVF FLORIDA Patient Marline who embarked on a 15-year fertility journey while simultaneously nurturing her professional goals. Despite encountering numerous hurdles along the way, she successfully balanced the demands of fertility treatments with the requirements of her career. Her inspiring story showcases resilience, strategic planning, and determination.
Infertility is something I never could have imagined my family, and I would have to experience. As such, not only did we not want to deal with infertility, but we were also not equipped or prepared to do so. Experiencing troubles when trying to build a family is not only a tough thing to go through but also uncharted territory with no instructions. When the time came for my husband and me to grow our family, we ran into many roadblocks. It did not happen for us as we had originally planned.
Our fertility journey lasted a whopping 15 years. During those 15 years, many aspects of my life had to be either placed on hold or on the back burner while we navigated this infertility journey. One of the things that could not wait or be paused was my career. Not only did I need to work to contribute to our family’s financial stability, but I also needed to work in order to make a name for myself while on a quest to grow and excel in my career.
My official fertility journey began in 2003. I say "official" because we had already been trying naturally for over 2 years and ultimately decided to see a fertility doctor. My career was just beginning to flourish. During the 15 years of family-building, I was employed by the same company. Although I had job stability, so to speak, I was petrified of everyone, especially my managers, finding out I was struggling to have a family. I felt in my heart that if they knew, they would not want to work with me or view me as an unreliable employee. I believed I would have had to choose between starting a family and putting in the number of hours at work needed to qualify or be recognized for promotions and career advancement. So, those beginning years of doctors’ appointments, labs, diagnostic testing, infertility treatments, etc., were all done secretly, unbeknownst to my managers or the company.
So, how was I able to do that? It required a significant amount of strategic planning, all while stressing myself out along the way. I had to try to plan these vital appointments at the most opportune times so as not to draw attention to my attendance. Therefore, some appointments were as early as 7:00 am. Other appointments were scheduled for lunchtime. I also tried to select clinics that were not located too far from either my house or office so I could have a short commute to and from, in the event I needed to leave. Also, in those early years, I was in school for my undergrad, so that allowed me a bit of flexibility in my schedule as my company hired me as a senior in college. As I earned promotions that required more of my time for training, practicing on new tasks, and working closely with the CFO (Chief Financial Officer), trying to get away or plan for fertility treatments became a bit trickier. As a matter of fact, one of my inseminations (IUI) was performed during my lunch break.
I have to say that as my responsibilities increased at work, I had to put my family-building plans on hold. I can also say that after going through 4-6 cycles of fertility treatments back-to-back and having them be unsuccessful, I think a mental break was normally in the cards. It just so happened that work became busy too, so I used that as an excuse to not feel guilty for putting those plans on hold. After picking up family-building if I had put it on hold, I had to deal with more setbacks that I needed to try to work around. Some of those setbacks included having to have various surgeries required to help improve issues the doctors may have had concerns about as it relates to my fertility. So, that means trying to come up with reasons to tell my managers why I needed time off from work. One year, I even missed our holiday party to have and recover from surgery. It was tough. I had to resort to coming up with clever “reasons” as to why I needed to be off. I did not like that because although I felt it was a private matter, I did not like the idea of not being able to be truthful and fully transparent. I ultimately decided to handle it the way I did because I thought it would be worse if they knew the truth.
By the time we had graduated to having to do IVF (in-vitro fertilization), 10 years had passed of fertility treatments, surgeries, etc. At that point, I knew I had to tell my job what was going on. I didn’t know exactly what to expect with IVF, but I knew it meant more appointments, more labs, and more days off, and I just could not swing that with more stories to my managers. The good thing is that because I had been with the company for almost 10 years, I had built a sense of trust and dependability as an employee. I had also been promoted multiple times, had a strong tenure, and built a great rapport with my mentors and managers. As such, I was able to meet with them (CFO and HR Director) and notify them of the journey my husband and I were able to embark on.
To learn more about Marline's infertility journey, follow her on Instagram (@mcdbe) and check out her book: It’ll Happen by 30: A Relentless Journey of Faith | Delayed but Not Denied, available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and www.mcdbe.com.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 24 Apr 2024
Physician: Marcelo Barrionuevo, M.D.
Diagnosis/Treatment: 1 retrieval/ 2 transfers
Tell us about your journey to parenthood.
My husband, Andrew, and I got married in 2016 and started trying to start a family in 2017. We tried for about 15 months unsuccessfully before we made our first appointment with Dr. Barrionuevo. From our first appointment and every interaction/appointment since that first one, we always felt like we were in good hands.
I felt like the whole team was so caring and informative. They took time to answer all our questions and make sure we understood everything. The process is time-consuming and requires a lot of coordination, but the team makes it so easy and ensures you know what’s going on every step of the way. I appreciated that anytime I had a question, I was able to get my questions answered promptly. The use of the patient portal is a great tool for communication. For every procedure I had, I felt the staff was caring, compassionate, and kind. You almost feel like you have a whole team of cheerleaders wanting to see you to the end.
We were very fortunate that our first (and only) retrieval was successful, and at the end of all the testing and cycles, we had 5 healthy, strong embryos. We transferred our first one in early 2019, and a few weeks later found out we were pregnant. I had a great, easy pregnancy and in December 2019, we delivered a healthy baby boy.
A few years later in 2022, we decided we wanted to expand our family, so back to IVF Florida and Dr. Barrionuevo. Again, our experience was amazing. This time we only had to do a transfer of another one of our embryos. The staff once again was so impressive and made the experience as seamless as possible. I did have to have a minor surgical procedure in the office before my transfer this time, and everything went well.
In early 2022, we then transferred our second embryo, and a few weeks later I was pregnant again. I had another great pregnancy, and in November of 2022, we had our second baby boy.
Any advice?
IVF isn’t an easy process, but you must trust the process and remain positive. I think support from your friends and family is important as well. And you must take care of yourself; exercise, eat well, and relax!
What were some highs/lows?
I don’t think there were any lows. I felt very fortunate to have this as an option and to have such a great medical team.
Would you like to give a shoutout to our team?
I think Dr. Barrionuevo is an angel. He is so fantastic and made us feel so comfortable with everything.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 22 Apr 2024
Stephanie's journey to parenthood has been a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of medical science. In her previous update, she shared the challenges of navigating infertility due to her carrier status of Becker Muscular Dystrophy and the rollercoaster of emotions that came with rounds of IVF. Despite setbacks, Stephanie and her partner Kevin persevered, leading to moments of joy and heartache along the way. Now, as Stephanie prepares to share another chapter of her remarkable story, we join her in anticipation of what lies ahead.
In follow-up to the start of our first round of IVF in April 2023, we ended up with one viable embryo for transfer. On June 14, 2023, we went in for our transfer. The TWW (Two-Week Wait) was brutal.
Unfortunately, the embryo didn't stick. As we know, IVF doesn't always guarantee a baby. We were heartbroken, but I promised myself I would jump right into Round 2, as what else was my option but to keep moving forward? I spoke with Dr. G, and we discussed some of the medications we could modify, and he was okay with diving right back in.
We started our second IVF round in June 2023. Egg retrieval number two gave us 12 eggs, and five fertilized! In contrast, round one only had one fertilized. We were over the moon excited. By day six, 3 blastocysts were sent out for genetic testing. Two came back unaffected by Becker MD and euploid—one boy and one girl. We never thought we would be in the position to choose between a boy or a girl to transfer, but on September 6, 2023, our little boy embryo was transferred. On September 15, we received our HCG beta results of 162.7! They continued to double every 48 hours, and we were on our way to what we thought would be a normal, easy pregnancy. Ha. IVF was already a journey, but why would it get easier?
We graduated from IVF Florida on October 16, 2023. Scared to leave IVF Florida after all the support, but excited for what lay ahead. Every scan and checkup was going according to plan, until our 20-week anatomy scan. We got the good news that baby boy was healthy and on track. Then the bad news: I was dilating early. My cervix was opening. This is where I learned of Incompetent Cervix. I was scheduled for an Emergency Cervical Cerclage the next day to sew up my cervix and keep baby boy in as long as possible!
All of this was so scary and so new, but all we could do is keep the hope that all would go right in our procedure. Our goal was to keep him safe, at least until viability, to give him a fighting chance at life. I was placed on modified bedrest for the duration of my pregnancy, and it hasn't been easy. The constant fear of preterm labor every day made anxiety at an all-time high. I can happily and gratefully say that today we are approaching 31 weeks, and our baby boy is due at the end of May. Stay strong on your journey! It's a rollercoaster, but the outcome will all be worth it. 💙 Keep the hope.
-IVF FLORIDA Patient, Stephanie
By
IVF FLORIDA at 22 Apr 2024
Embarking on the journey of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be emotionally and physically taxing, but having a supportive and caring team by your side can make all the difference. Maria, a patient at IVF FLORIDA, recently shared her experience and heartfelt appreciation for the compassionate care she received throughout her IVF journey. In her own words, Maria reflects on the kindness, professionalism, and dedication of Dr. Gualtieri and the entire staff at IVF Florida, highlighting the important role they played in helping her achieve her dream of expanding her family. Join us as we delve into Maria's touching testimonial, a testament to the commitment of the IVF FLORIDA team in making miracles happen for their patients.
Dear Dr Gualtieri and staff,
Words cannot express how grateful I am to you all for the loving care you provided to me during my IVF journey. Everyone was so friendly and kind to me. Dr. Gualtieri and his entire team create an environment of peace and positivity for all patients. They are truly there for you every step of the way! They care about you as an individual and are invested in your family. I will not forget all the kindness you showed me.
Ashley at the front desk always had a smile, was very welcoming when checking in, and was helpful when I had to pay for my appointments. All the ultrasound techs were supportive during the ultrasounds. Frankie and Trisha always answered all my questions in a timely manner through the portal. They were very understanding of my concerns, and they showed they cared. Phlebotomy ladies - Courtney and Terry, were so nice and friendly, and also easy to talk to. They both always had a positive attitude and provided excellent customer service. I always felt I was in good hands and trusted them completely in drawing my blood. Dr. Gualtieri was extremely upfront, to the point, knowledgeable, welcoming, funny, and extremely easy to talk to! I never felt rushed and treated amazingly!
In 2021, you created one miracle baby (son Noah) and this year, 2024, created another miracle baby on its way. We are so forever grateful. You all are doing a great service to the women and couples in this community as they struggle with trying to have a child. Thanks again for your expertise, support, professionalism, and efforts to help us start our family.
IVF FLORIDA Patient Maria
By
IVF FLORIDA at 28 Mar 2024
Domenica's journey from cancer survivor to motherhood is a testament to the power of hope, the strength of community, and the transformative power of IVF.
Read her inspiring story to learn more.
My name is Domenica Fuller, and I am a proud native of South Florida.
Throughout my life's journey, I've embraced various roles – daughter, sister, wife, cancer conqueror, and now, my most important role yet - a mother.
At 29, my breast cancer diagnosis blindsided me and my soon-to-be husband.
Three months before our wedding, in June of 2021, I found a lump in my breast while I was in the shower. Two days later, doctors at Miami Cancer Institute gave me the news: it was cancer, aggressive and advanced.
No genetic markers, no warning signs – just a devastating diagnosis that rocked the very foundation of my world and threatened the life my future husband and I were about to build.
Worst of all, my diagnosis came only a few years after my dad passed away from lung cancer. Both avid runners, neither of us smoked or drank. It was inexplicable that this diagnosis would strike the same family twice, and so close together. While grieving his death, I now had to fight the same battle he lost, without him.
When you're diagnosed with cancer, your desires for this life become very clear. Mine was having children.
But within the same breath, I was told I had cancer, what I consider even worse news came next: the cancer treatment that would save my life would make me unable to have children. My only hope? Undergoing emergency IVF immediately, with no guaranteed success.
After a month of emergency IVF, and what I still look back on as the most emotional part of my cancer journey, with the help of Dr. Luis Hoyos at IVF Florida Reproductive Associates, we successfully froze five embryos.
All you have when you're fighting a life-threatening disease is your faith, your family, and hope. IVF gave me that hope. Hope that I will have children. Hope that my husband and I will be called "mom" and "dad.” And hope that, despite cancer, we would build a family together. This is what you cling to in your worst days of treatment. Cancer hates it when you fight back, so I fought back for my future children every single day for six brutal months of treatment (and a wedding!).
After my treatment, my doctors decided it would be too dangerous for me to carry my own children, without risking my cancer returning.
Another roadblock, yes, but I handled this news well. Because I knew I had five embryos. I just needed to find a way to get them here.
So, it became my mission to find a surrogate and an agency that felt like the perfect fit. Against all odds, it all came together: the agency, the surrogate, and my fertility doctor. Then a miracle happened – a successful implantation, our embryo took on the first try!
Nine months later, on October 19th, 2023, I cradled in my arms the culmination of years of struggle and sacrifice – a healthy baby boy, a living testament to the power of resilience, hope, and the indomitable human spirit. We named him Victor – a tribute to the legacy of strength and courage that had carried us through our darkest of days - and most importantly, it was my late father's name.
In his tiny form, we saw not just a baby, but a symbol of victory – a victory over cancer, over despair, over the seemingly insurmountable odds that had threatened to derail our dreams. And as I held my son close, surrounded by the love and support of my family and friends, I knew that our journey was far from over.
Yet, in that moment, I found solace in the knowledge that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, as a family. For in the end, it is not the trials we face that define us, but how we choose to confront them – with courage, with hope, and with unwavering determination.
My journey is just one of many, a testament to the importance of IVF for cancer patients and the transformative power of hope in the face of adversity. It is a story of triumph over tragedy, of light emerging from the darkness, and of the enduring strength of the human spirit. And as I look to the future, hand-in-hand with my son and my husband, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude for modern technology and reproductive science.
By
IVF FLORIDA at 12 Mar 2024