Amanda

Amanda's Story:

After many years of yearning to be a mother, at 38 years old, I began testing at a fertility clinic in my hometown of Houston.

Soon after the initial testing, I was notified that I had precancerous cells in my uterus. I needed to act quickly to preserve my fertility and potentially save my life.

I decided to become a Single Mom by Choice and not wait another minute. I scheduled a procedure to start treatments for my precancerous cells, and, on the same day, started the process of egg retrieval. 

I was successful and had 11 eggs retrieved, but unfortunately zero made it to blast. In Texas, at that time, at least, you didn't have the option to freeze an embryo or transfer one that didn't reach the blastocyst stage.

I was devastated. I honestly thought my chances were over. I decided to focus on healing and treating my uterus, and once that treatment ended, to reevaluate my next steps.

Yet the cost of the treatment was well out of my means, and I had taken out multiple loans just to cover a retrieval.

In February of 2020, while researching IVF, I came across CNY on the Internet.  I scheduled a consultation, and in March of 2020, I had a consult. 

There was a light again. Then the pandemic hit. Again, I felt discouraged, almost defeated. I waited a year but all the while staying in contact with CNY staff, and in the interim, they opened the Colorado location, which was going to be so much easier for this Texas gal to reach.

2021 hits, and things are looking up. In August, I consulted with the global team, nervous as all get out, and they got me ready for an October 2021 retrieval.

Again, I went through stimming and preparatory appointments. The day before my last stim appointment, my flight to Colorado was canceled due to airline troubles. Seriously. Why?!?

So that Monday morning, I attended my appointment for a follicle check, and my doc said she was pretty sure I would receive within 48 hrs. So I went home, packed my bags, hopped in my truck, and hit the road. I drove to Colorado Springs nonstop, 12 hours alone.

I triggered at a truck stop somewhere in North Texas! Something I will never forget. I arrived, checked in my hotel and got some rest. Then, I checked in with CNY Colorado the next day and prepared for my retrieval the following.

Everyone was amazing. I met Dr. Fink, who did my retrieval and was so kind, considerate, and full of jokes and knowledge to share. 

The nursing staff treated me so wonderfully. I was terrified, especially given my previous experience and being alone as well. After my retrieval, I was notified I could do a fresh transfer if I'd like, so I was in for a week's stay in Colorado.

Recovery was a breeze, and I transferred three days later. One embryo and froze the other 3. Unfortunately, that transfer was unsuccessful. So I went back in November of 2021 and transferred all three of my day three embryos, and unfortunately, those too, were unsuccessful. 

I decided to take December to once again regroup and evaluate what to do next. It was a consult with Dr Fink in late Dec that made my mind up to proceed but change up my protocol and my health and body.

I started Dr. Kiltz's Keto (with a cheat here and there) and a multitude of vitamins and supplements that were recommended to me by Dr Fink.

In May of 2022, I had what I knew would be my last chance (now I'm 41) and have maxed out what I could take mentally and financially. At this retrieval, I again had Dr. Fink. He greeted me with the best news; he had retrieved 22 eggs.

A few days later I froze 14 day three perfect embryos. Something that, to this day, still seems surreal. Unbelievable. 41 years old, 6 months on a keto and supplement protocol, and the best retrieval yet.

I also had a hysteroscopy while there this time to check in on my uterus. I opted for a frozen transfer this time, pending those uterus testing results.

Unfortunately, in June, I consulted with Dr Fink, and he explained to me that I needed to again treat my uterus for a few cycles before transferring any of my precious embryos. Painful as it seemed, I just kept telling myself, look how far you've come. This clinic, this Dr., this protocol has gotten you this far. Stay the course.

One year later, on October 14, 2022, Brandis transferred two day three embryos. In June 2023, two days before my 42nd birthday, I welcomed my rainbow miracle baby girl, Mia. She is 6lbs 3oz and 19 inches of perfection. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She is here because of CNY. Everyone there cared that I wanted to be a mom just as much as I did.

Favorite Team Member at CNY:

Dr. Randy Fink, Brandis Montez, NP Sam, and Lupe.

Helpful resources Amanda found:

Acupuncture
Meditation
Walking
Journaling
Sharing My Journey

The Moment:

I was going out of town the weekend before my first scheduled appointment for HCG beta and I decided to test at home before you are supposed to test and it was negative. I was crushed all weekend. I remember going to my appointment Monday pretty much defeated. When my doctor's office called later that afternoon and said my test is positive and my beta was 85 I thought NO WAY! It was low and I was told to take it one Beta at a time. I remember I had some scary days of spotting etc in the first 6 weeks but at one of my appointments around 5 weeks they saw the fetal pole and gestational sac and I think I was still in disbelief.

Then a few days later I went in at 6 weeks and I heard the heartbeat. I couldn't even believe it. To be honest, until the moment (she was delivered via C-section) I heard my OBGYN say "she's here and she's perfect" I still couldn't believe it.

They laid her on my chest and I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. My first words to her were "I've waited my entire life for you. We're going to have too much fun."

Hope, Inspiration and Advice:

I wish I had found CNY first. I wish more OBGYN offices not only knew about CNY, but encouraged their patients to use them.

I think that the fear of traveling for fertility treatments needs to be addressed and talked about. With CNY it's literally down to a science with their global teams. The ease. The 24-hour access to a nurse on the phone if you forget how or when to do that shot. The CNY affiliated community chat groups and networks of others going through procedures at the same time or previously is just remarkable.

I met a friend and fellow patient my very first retrieval/transfer that I ended up rooming with for our next transfers. She is a mama now too. I met lifelong friends during this process. One friend I met and hugged the day of our transfers and haven't seen since but we both have babies and we talk online almost daily.

The support never ends. I share pictures of my beautiful girl on social media all the time and Dr. Fink, Brandis and some of the other CNY Colorado staff share it too. Don't give up on your dream of becoming parents. At CNY there are so many ways to get you there. It may happen different than you plan, but please, don't ever lose hope.