IVF or BUST!

Well, we didn't get picked for the top 3. They even doubled the top 3 to the top 6 and still we didn't make it.  I really thought I would be devastated by this. But, surprisingly enough I'm not. I prayed that God would protect my heart and prepare me to NOT be in it. I'll admit, my heart was racing reading through the finalists. I kept re-reading it over and over trying to find our name but then it hit me.

It's not here.

I even said it out loud. "We didn't make it." I ran into my bedroom and pulled the list up on the computer just to make sure I wasn't missing it. I wasn't. I was sad and naturally disappointed.  But I didn't cry. WOW! I DIDN'T CRY!!!

I immediately decided to start finding a way to do it on our own. I'm tired of leaving it up to fate...so I became proactive.  I googled grants...I searched for clinical trials. I found so much information that was so overwhelming!

Then I found something that I would have NEVER imagined: A FUNDRAISING website. There was another couple who is trying to pay for IVF on their own and set up a site on gofundme.com that allows people to make cash donations, no matter how big or small, that will add up to help them pay for their journey.  HOW COOL IS THAT??? It's set up so that you can only withdraw the money once. Therefore, people can be sure that the money is not being used in any way aside from what it is intended to be used for.

At first, I felt kind of strange about it. I don't want people to think I'm begging...because I'm not. But, then I thought back to a facebook group I'm a part of. It's an adoption group. The couple is raising money to pay for the fees associated with the adoption of their little girl from Africa! They are auctioning off donated items daily and have almost raised all the money. Alongside their own savings, they are so close to bringing their daughter home.  That's SO amazing!

Well, I can do that! I'm an excellent cook. I can sell cupcakes  I'm also considering talking to friends about donating items or services to be auctioned off. That's a little later. For now I'm starting small.

In ONE day, I've already sold 8 dozen cupcakes! That's 84.00!!! We received a cash donation of $50 from a precious family member, and the Scentsy basket I have up for grabs is at $70!

That's $204 in ONE DAY!!!

Here's how the IVF cycle pay schedule goes.

They do 1 cycle per month.  The dates are usually the 2nd Tuesday of each month.  The total cost for IVF is $8950.00.  The medication cost is between $3000.00 and $4000.00.  Anesthesia is $580.00.  Freezing of embryos is $720.00. Semi annual storage fee is $305.00

Another thing that has to happen 1 month prior is a fluid ultrasound that is $506.00 and a mock embryo transfer that is $200.00. 

That's a grand total of $14261.00-$15261.00.

A deposit of $2000.00 has to be paid 2 months in advance in order to lock in your cycle date.  Then 3-4 weeks later, you begin your medication. At that time, the remaining $6950.00 is due. Then the day of the egg transfer, the $580.00 anesthesia and $720.00 freezing fees are due along with the $305.00 storage fee.

The fluid ultrasound and mock embryo transfer have to be paid the day they are done.

So, in other words. We pay $2000.00 to lock in the date and then 4 weeks later we have to drop $10656.00-$11656.00.  Then at the end of that we have to pay the final $1605.00!

A little intimidating...huh?

Well, we are working hard. We are saving saving saving. I am starting to babysit for extra money. We are cutting back everywhere possible. We can do this! Our goal is to be ready for March 11, 2013.  That gives us 7 months to save and raise the money :)

I believe this is what we are supposed to do. I know that this is possible.

Thank you all for your help and support.

The website for our fundraiser is http://www.gofundme.com/qo790.

***update 6/18/2012***
Our facebook group is called McAdams Infertility Fund. If you'd like to join, just message me and I'll add you! So far I've sold 16 dozen cupcakes! We're getting closer :)
XOXO

Lori

Faith

This Friday will be 2 weeks since I made our video. Our video that could potentially change our lives.

I'll explain.

On Thursday, I was playing around on Facebook while my husband played his boy game. I noticed an update from Sher Institute...the fertility clinic Jake and I have been going to since December. It stated that they are giving away a free IVF cycle to the winner of a contest. The contest was simply upload a video telling the story of your infertility struggle. The top 3 will be chosen and then the one with the most votes wins. Sounds simple enough, right?

Well, I'm no Steven Spielberg...so the whole video thing was no cake walk for me.

But, I did it!

Tomorrow is the last day. Last time I checked there are 24 total entries. That means I have to beat 21 other people to be in the top 3.

I won't lie, my nerves are shot at this point.

Voting begins on June 8th....and then the big winner will be announced June 13.

I've never wanted something so bad in all my life. I just know this is our chance. We have prayed for so long that God would provide the way for us to be able to do this if it's in His will. Then, this contest comes from out of nowhere. I don't think that's a coincidence.

I am trying to prepare myself to not be heartbroken if we don't get picked. But, it's hard to not put your all into it when you want it so bad!

Here's our video. Please pray that we make the cut. Please let this be our chance.