Campaign Story

From my earliest days, I dreamed of embracing motherhood and creating a loving family. Even in preschool, I earned the endearing nickname “Mother Mallie,” a testament to my deep-rooted desire to nurture and care for others. As the years unfolded, this aspiration only grew stronger, becoming an integral part of who I am.

Since 2017, my partner Travis and I have shared countless conversations about starting a family. Yet, our path to parenthood has been filled with challenges. Travis, who has a son from a prior marriage, experienced a vasectomy in his twenties—an irreversible choice he now regrets, as it has hindered our ability to conceive naturally.

In 2022, we took our first steps into the complex world of fertility treatments, beginning with a reversal of Travis’s vasectomy. Unfortunately, the procedure did not yield the results we had hoped for, but we refused to let disappointment deter us. We sought assistance from a fertility clinic, only to be met with a lack of professionalism that left us feeling disheartened. Undeterred, we chose to undergo a PESA procedure to retrieve Travis’s sperm, which was then preserved as we continued our search for a more supportive clinic.

Then, life threw us an unexpected obstacle when Travis suffered a serious accident, resulting in a broken jaw. Thankfully, he recovered well, and despite the financial strain of medical bills, we were resolute in our commitment to our fertility journey.

We discovered a new clinic in Little Rock that was conveniently located, reigniting our excitement as we prepared to advance to the next phase of our quest for parenthood. The financial commitment was daunting—$12,000 for treatment, alongside over $4,100 for medications. With our insurance refusing coverage due to Travis’s voluntary vasectomy, we made the difficult decision to take out a loan, believing wholeheartedly that our dream was worth this sacrifice.

On May 10th, we experienced a moment that felt like a dream come true. During the embryo transfer, two healthy grade 8 cell embryos were placed inside me, and as we left the clinic, hope blossomed anew. Eleven anxious days later, I returned for my HCG blood test, my heart racing with anticipation. The news was beyond thrilling—I was pregnant! My HCG levels registered at 70.6, exceeding our expectations. We were jubilant, reveling in this newfound joy.

However, our elation was short-lived. Subsequent tests revealed that my HCG levels were not rising as they should. When the clinic suggested a possible chemical pregnancy, fear gripped me, and I felt my heart sink. I had never encountered that term before, and I found myself desperately seeking any reassurance that could alleviate my anxiety.

We clung to hope, but the next test results were disappointing—my levels had not increased as we had wished. Instead of the anticipated 480-500 range, the result was a disheartening 290.9. Our worst fears had materialized: the pregnancy was likely not viable, and we were left to monitor my levels, which were still rising, but very slowly.

In a surprising twist, just six days later, my HCG levels unexpectedly surged to 1100! It felt like a second chance had been granted, rekindling our hopes. As my levels continued to climb, we could barely contain our excitement. Yet, during an ultrasound, we faced another heartbreak—the gestational sac was empty. Reality hit hard: this pregnancy, was not meant to be.

Devastated by the loss, we now had to decide how to proceed with the miscarriage. After much thought, we chose medication to help my body transition—a heart-wrenching choice made with the hope of a brighter future.

Now, as we navigate the uncertainty of our situation, we are exploring avenues for financial assistance to embark on this journey once more. As my family has always reminded me, “this too shall pass.” Though we have faced immense challenges, we are committed to rising above, holding our heads high and nurturing hope in our hearts.

Our journey is fraught with obstacles, but we will confront them with unwavering strength and resilience. We refuse to allow setbacks to define us; instead, we will transform our pain into growth, drawing closer together as we pursue our dream of having children. And when that dream finally becomes a reality, we will look back on this journey and understand that every tear and struggle was worth the love we’ve longed for.