Ashley & Angel

Ashley & Angel's Story:

In August of 2014, I was diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer.

I live in a very rural area so local doctors told me to get to a bigger city to see an oncologist, which ended up being 8 hours away.

I underwent a radical trachelectomy which removed my cervix, ligaments and para-aortic lymph nodes. My oncologist said I had a 5% less chance than a “normal” woman to get pregnant.

I was in college, so we didn’t start trying immediately after my surgery.

Once I was ready, I sought out a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, looking for the green light. He didn’t feel the McDonald’s cerclage present from my cancer surgery would hold in a baby. My husband and I prophylactically decided to have a Transabdominal Cerclage placed. We tried naturally for a year with no success. I reached out to my MFM and we decided to try a medicated IUI cycle.

We quickly found out I had scar tissue from my surgeries, and no instruments could pass through. My MFM would numb me and use an epidural needle to bypass my opening.

After five failed attempts, we decided to move onto IVF.

I had a couple of consults with different clinics. I ultimately chose CNY because I felt cared about during my initial consult. I also liked that financially it was the best option.

We had our egg retrieval in August 2020, where 7 out of 9 eggs fertilized, and all 7 made it to Day 5 blastocysts.

Our first frozen embryo transfer was in September 2020.

My transfer was done through transmyometrial method due to my opening being impossible to get through.

Unfortunately, our transfer was unsuccessful. We were heartbroken! We found out we both had Covid when we got our negative result.

I found comfort in the fact that maybe it wasn’t supposed to happen because of us having Covid and not knowing what that could do to our baby.

We took a break to get through the holidays. I had a consult with Dr. Corley and he said I had slight PCOS and needed to start on Metformin and Myo-Inositol.

He also said I needed a hysteroscopy to get my opening opened up. I had this done locally which was successful. I went in to the local clinic every 6 weeks to keep things open. This was very uncomfortable, but I knew it would all be worth it.

I was mentally ready to go ahead with our next round when we found out I had ovarian cysts from the medications. I decided to take a break from medications and let the cysts resolve on their own, which they eventually did.

I had a consults with Dr. Grossman Aug 2021, and we had the green light to go ahead with our next transfer.

Dr. Kiltz transferred our second embryo September 2021. He was nervous with my history of scar tissue but the transfer went SO smoothly. I really took time to relax and do self-care and 10 days later we received our positive beta!!

It took us 3 3/4 years to get pregnant from the time we started trying, but it was all worth it in the end.

Photo credit: Brittany DuPont

Favorite Team Member at CNY:

All the Dr’s were great! They each made me feel like they truly cared about my situation and getting us pregnant.

Helpful resources Ashley & Angel found:

Positive affirmations for me was huge! It made such a difference between my two cycles.

CNY Facebook group and CNY Michigan group were so helpful and encouraging.

Dr. Kiltz’s fireside chats were always great to listen to.

Unique Moments:

Infertility can make you feel very lonely. It is trying on your relationship, mentally, physically and financially. Finding groups to be a part of and talking about your story we’re very helpful!

Having had cervical cancer and surgery that led to scar tissue preventing natural pregnancy made my pregnancy high risk. My local doctors have never had someone with my situation so I often felt like a Guinea pig. I did a lot of my own research and was my own best advocate.

Hope, Inspiration and Advice:

It’s such a rollercoaster of a journey. Find as much support as possible, and think of the highs when you are in the lows. Try to not stress too much and really focus on your own self care!