Campaign Story

For years, I have lived with multiple chronic conditions that have affected fertility. Together, these conditions have affected nearly every part of my daily life. Chronic pain, exhaustion, and unpredictable symptoms have become routine, often making normal activities difficult. After years of treatment attempts, a specialist explained that a hysterectomy would likely be the best long-term solution. While I understood the recommendation, I was not emotionally ready to accept it. A hysterectomy would permanently end my ability to carry a child, and I could not let go of that possibility before fully exploring my options to become a mother.

Choosing to delay surgery meant continuing to live with both physical pain and uncertainty about my future fertility. The hope of one day having a child helped me to navigate the pain. Although I had a partner, it became clear to me that we would likely need fertility treatment if we wanted to have a family. I suggested pursuing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), believing we shared the same long-term goal. Instead, the reality of fertility treatment exposed differences in how we viewed the future. The commitment required for IVF became overwhelming for my partner, and when I said I wanted to move forward with treatment, he decided to leave the relationship. Losing that partnership while continuing to manage chronic illness was incredibly painful and forced me to reevaluate both my future and my understanding of family.

After the relationship ended, I spent a great deal of time reflecting on what motherhood truly meant to me. I realized that my desire to become a parent was not dependent on being married or following a traditional timeline. Although the decision was intimidating, I chose to continue pursuing motherhood independently. That decision gave me a renewed sense of purpose during a period that otherwise felt uncertain and discouraging.

Pursuing fertility treatment alone has brought significant emotional and financial challenges. Attending appointments alone, managing hormone treatments independently, and making major medical decisions without a partner can feel isolating. Fertility care is also extremely expensive, especially while managing ongoing healthcare costs related to chronic illness. Now closer to 40 than to 30, I am increasingly aware that my reproductive timeline is limited, particularly given the likelihood that I may eventually require a hysterectomy. Delaying treatment because of financial barriers could permanently remove my opportunity to become a parent. I no longer feel that I have the luxury to wait; I feel I need to move forward sooner rather than postponing treatment until it may no longer be medically possible.

More than anything, becoming a parent represents hope for my future. I want to create a home centered on love, stability, and connection rather than illness and loss. I also hope to continue the traditions and values passed down through my family, including the stories, recipes, and experiences that shaped my own childhood. While my path to parenthood has not unfolded the way I originally imagined, it has strengthened my resilience and clarified what matters most to me. Every appointment, treatment, and difficult decision is part of building the future and family I have worked so hard to pursue.

Thank you for reading my story.