Campaign Story

We both lived in Edmonton, Canada. Everything was going well but I had 1 miscarriage and 2 ectopic pregnancies consecutively – which led to surgery to remove the fallopian tube in Royal Alex Hospital. The initial ectopic pregnancy was a tubal rupture inside my left abdomen, which resulted in severe pain, including internal bleeding. Doctors said I could die, but fortunately, I had to undergo emergency laparoscopic surgery to remove the left fallopian tube. In accordance with the gynecologist’s suggestion, after some months I again got pregnant, but luck was not in our favor this time too. I was diagnosed to have my 2nd Ectopic pregnancy in the right tube. Doctors suggested having Methotrexate (Medicine used in Chemotherapy) to abort the baby, but the irony was, that the medicine didn’t work for me nevertheless I had the side effects of chemotherapy medicine. Ultimately, doctors had to remove the right tube as well to save my life, albeit I lost the ability to become a mother naturally.

Both of us were so shaken by the situation that we broke down, unable to find the strength to continue ahead. In addition, I grew so medically ill that I had to resign from my positions at WINNERS and the University of Alberta. I had been appointed as an Administrative Assistant in the Computing Science department, but 2nd Ectopic Pregnancy surgery occurred during this period, which led me to leave the job permanently. However, after pulling all our emotions together, we came to know that there is only one way to have a baby in this situation and that would be IVF after the surgery, so we started planning for IVF with a new hope. The cost of IVF is so high for us (around $25,000), especially when we are struggling to make ends meet for the family with only my funding, and the cost is not covered by Alberta Health. Moreover, at the beginning of the process of IVF, the fact came to light that both of us have different types of minor Thalassemia which can transfer to the baby and can cause Thalassemia major or death at an early stage, so we have to go for PGTA (a genetic test of the embryo to prevent Thalassemia), which is also not covered by Alberta Health. In addition, I am already heeding towards 32, and my egg production is diminishing. It is already late to have a good quality egg and soon I may stop producing eggs. At that time my money could buy nothing! So, it is high time we should start the treatment as soon as possible.

Also, our family physician told us that we cannot have a child via conventional means; we must undergo IVF, which is not covered by Alberta Health. We contacted her gynecologist, thus she referred us to Alberta Reproductive Center, the closest reproductive facility (ARC). Dr. Ariadne Daniel, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist (CPSA # 019985), is observing us attentively. After a lengthy conversation and review of diagnostic test findings, she informed us that the cost of IVF was around $25,000, which came as not only a surprise but also a shock (page 22). We looked for the opportunity to see if there was any lower-cost treatment available. However, we did not find any suitable place where we can get funding for IVF. On top of that, we looked for another IVF funding source but did not find any light of hope. Moreover, after the surgery, I was so sick that I could not stand on feet for a long time. Overall, the circumstance causes us significant physical and emotional distress.

Now we get a new hope to see the funding option of Gift of Parenthood. Hopefully, we will get sufficient amount for IVF treatment. Thanks to all.