Lily and Daniellow’s Parenthood Journey
Lily and Daniellow’s Parenthood Journey
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$25,000.00
Fundraiser Goal -
$1,247.00
Funds Raised -
41
Days to go
Lillian Castel de Oro is organizing this fundraiser.
Campaign Story
Hi friends,
We, Lily and Daniellow, have been trying to conceive for the last two and half years. We were married in July 2022 in a ceremony dripping in the volcano magic of Guatemala—Lily’s mother country. That very week we tried to conceive, thinking the magic of all the surroundings would sweep us into magical parenthood. Alas, that was not to be so, and two and a half years later, we are suffering from the scepter of unexplained fertility. Daniellow and I are both very patient people and were really trying to ride the “it all happens for a reason” wave, waiting for a natural conception, but the truth is with me at 39 and Daniellow at 47, time is of the essence and we want to make this happen. IVF it is.
This realization is especially stark in the context of all the death and illness we have experienced in the past several years. Two of our prospective grandparents, Daniellow’s mom and my dad, passed. My mom, who is now 60, has survived two different bouts of cancer (colon and lung) and her continued existence on this earth is a miracle and blessing that we cannot afford to let go by. Mama wants her corona (in Guatemalan culture, having your grandkids is your “crown”) and I, the first-born of my entire generation (a generation that has not had any progeny yet!), am so ready to give it to her, to continue our family’s lineage. And of course, we want babies so so so much. Just look at the photos of us with our cats!! Imagine us with children!! 0_0
We want you to know that we have both been working hard to maximize the donations that you entrust to us. For the past four months, we have been on an extensive health journey to support conception and birth. At 39, Lily’s numbers around egg count are a little low (AMH .59 if that means anything to people reading this), but all the other numbers are amazing. We have taken all the supplements, stopped all alcohol and refined foods, and we cook every meal at home to maximize health. We are looking into IVF in Mexico because it is much cheaper more accessible than here in the US. I can give detailed updates here because I assume everyone is as much a “chismosa” (Spanish word for gossip) as me, and I love details. So you, too, shall have them!
THANK YOU for any donation, large or small and for believing in us enough to just read though this little story.
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04-17-2025
Birthday Update!
Hello Dear friends!
Here is an update. I went to Mexico on March 20-24th to get my first ultrasound to see my ovaries and do labwork. I found out some interesting things – I apparently have a "chocolate cyst." – Part of my endometrium has grown inside my ovary on one of my follicles. I have endometriosis. Wuuuut. And I only have 5 working follicles left, thus, time is *of the essence* and I will be going in May to get the stimulation and retrieval. Test for Daniellow show that we're both just showing signs of age, having kids so late (Lily is 39, D is 47).It actually makes me breathe a small sign of relief to have decided to go with IVF because they will choose healthy eggs and healthy sperm and genetically test any embryos for genetic defects, which is more likely with people our age. We could even choose to have twins, if we want, since we control which and how many eggs they implant.
I, sadly, took a long time to update because I have been having what seems to be ThE EtErNaL MiGrAiNe, which has been affecting in my ability to sit and write to you. I will be returning to Mexico to do the stimulation and retrieval May 9th. I will have to be out of work for a couple weeks, so any bit that your share helps. 5$, 10$.
Three more weeks!
| Name | Donation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Jill Evyn | $50.00 | April 19, 2025 |
| Michael Babel | $100.00 | April 19, 2025 |
| Shannon Esparza | $22.00 | April 18, 2025 |
| Nicole Lemke | $40.00 | April 18, 2025 |
| Kathryn Walley | $100.00 | April 18, 2025 |
| Abby Verdugo | $10.00 | April 18, 2025 |
| Aubrey Sammon | $100.00 | March 26, 2025 |
| Idit Zarchi | $200.00 | March 13, 2025 |
| Abigail Grigsby | $100.00 | March 13, 2025 |
| Jennifer Drilling | $25.00 | March 13, 2025 |
| Ursula Knudson | $300.00 | March 13, 2025 |
| Tamara McGrath | $200.00 | March 13, 2025 |
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Lillian Castel de Oro is organizing this fundraiser.