Campaign Story

My name is Terrica. I was given the news that I am in the “high-risk” breast cancer category last year. The first step was to have a lumpectomy, removing the pre-cancerous tissue in my right breast. The next step was to begin a medicine called Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen, not a magic bullet, helps prevent breast cancer. However, it’s side effects can cause a multitude of unwanted things such as menopause. Thus, upon hearing that news from my breast surgeon, I was faced with the decision to either immediately start the medicine and say goodbye to my chance(s) to have more children, or hold off on taking Tamoxifen and begin the baby making process (quick, fast, and in a hurry). Why the hurry? I was 42 when I had my lumpectomy, now I’m 43 years of age. So, many of us older women knows what that means; our chance(s) at having a viable pregnancy and live birth is very low. At least, that’s what I’ve been told, have read, and have heard others say.

It’s depressing to hear that news. It’s even more depressing to know that you have to rush to save your fertility within a short window of time. What does a single-mother of a 16 year-old, who works in the military as a technician, and juggles other major priorities do? She gets to work as fast as she can. And, that’s what I did. I sought help through the VA since I receive VA disability. To my surprise they helped and have continued to help with preserving my fertility. But, there’s a catch, I’m only eligible for IUI and not IVF. The reasons: I’m not married and my fertility preservation “issue” isn’t service-connected. What does service-connected mean? It means that the condition was not caused by one’s service in the military.

That news devastated me. One, one of the reasons is very archaic, having to be married shouldn’t eliminate one’s eligibility for medical care. Two, the other reason why I was so devastated was due to financial reasons. Everyone knows. Every one. Everyone knows that in-vitro fertilization is expensive. The fees can get to “buying a home” level!

Therefore, I had to make more decisions: just fo IUI and give up on IVF, look for any kind of grants that helped w/infertility, or use my VA disability compensation to pay toward IVF. I chose the latter. Yes, it takes money away from my home, but it’s for a great cause.

Okay. Why am I asking you for help, especially since I’ve started saving toward IVF? I’m asking because a single-cycle of IVF, at my chosen fertility place (SGF), costs $6000.00 something dollars. With a military discount, I can get the single-cycle IVF for $5525.00. I have paid at least $3200.00 dollars toward my first single-cycle IVF. What is the additional $5000.00 dollars for, you might be wondering? It’s for the additional single-cycle IVF. Being 43 and only having one shot at IVF is a huge gamble! One shot! I believe. I definitely believe that one can get pregnant on their try with IVF. Do I think that it could happen for me? No. The odds are already stacked against me. Even my first egg retrieval only garnered 7 mature eggs out of 21 eggs!
Thus, I’m probably going to need an additional IVF round. That additional round costs approximately $4000-4500.00 dollars. Consequently, I’m starting a fundraiser to help me pay toward a second single-cycle IVF. Will you please, if you can, help me raise funds toward my mission to motherhood, again? I will only hold off on not taking Tamoxifen for so long because I still want to be around for my first lovebug, my daughter for as long as possible.

I wish every one that is on a similar journey success and happiness. Don’t give up!