Share The Love!!
Friday, July 14, 2006
We just received an E-mail about an our ago from a couple in Canada who is going through a similar situation. They have asked for help and we are happy to oblige. They have already gone through the IVF process once successfully, but unfortunately lost the pregnancy. Their next attempt is coming up in October and she is having a hard time finding the means. We have agreed to donate all internet donations made on Saturday, July 15th to them.
We have asked for proof of her situation and upon receipt and verification we will begin to share the love. Now, if this cannot be accommodated, then all funds will go back into the BabyorBust fund.
BabyorBust was founded on the idea that we could open people’s eyes to IVF and the expense and emotion that it brings with it. Our hope at the end is to continue accepting donations, along with any additional funds left over, in order to offer grants to other couples facing infertility. We look forward to helping so many more couples- and thank you for the overwhelming support we’ve received so far.
Together, we’re all going to make a huge difference.
Saying it out loud
Thursday, July 13, 2006
At the beginning of our little adventure in infertility, we kept it pretty hush. Our parents knew, siblings, a few friends- that was pretty much it. We didn’t want to talk about it until we were clear where we were and where we were headed. Saves time that way.
In April, shortly after our first visit with Dr. T, we went to Barnes & Noble one evening. We enjoy spending a few hours, drinking coffee and pouring over books and magazines and enjoying the quiet. Shelton made his way to the “Geek” section (computers), I started to head toward the People Magazine. Then I realized that I could make better use of the time that night and went over to the pregnancy section. That seemed like a likely place to find books about trying to have a baby.
And there were plenty of books on how to make one, keep one, raise one, love one, even name one; but no books on infertility and IVF. A cute young couple was standing next to me. I had to assume they were pregnant because she wasn’t showing and I couldn’t imagine any other way you’d get a twenty-something guy into the pregnancy books section.
He wandered away and I asked her how far along she was. She replied about 4 weeks, they had just found out a few days before. She was positively glowing, so excited. She then asked me the same. And I immediately replied, oh, we can’t, we have to do IVF. We smiled nicely at one another and I moved on, since none of those happy, little preggers books applied to me.
I went to customer service and I was lead to the infertility section- a 2’ space at the very bottom of a shelf in the back. Of course, one more place to bury and hide it away. I sat cross-legged on the floor and looked over my options. Two books caught my eye and I read a little, cried a little, by myself, in the back of the B&N. I bought those books and they are listed under the “About IVF.” I highly recommend A Few Good Eggs, I couldn’t read it fast enough.
So that was the first time I had to say it to a stranger. The sentence kind of came out in slow motion as I looked at this overjoyed woman, my age, thrilled to pieces to be buying What to Expect. Lucky her.. I wonder if she knows just how lucky she really is.
Media Coverage
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
I have some dear friends who work in PR and their names will soon be added to the Thank You page (Shakila and Shawn).
Yesterday afternoon I received a call from Wichita’s Fox News anchor Liz Collin wanting to do a story. She wanted to meet 45 minutes from the time of her call. Shelton wasn’t able to make it, I honestly had dirty hair and my house was a disaster- Sure, please come on over!
The interview went really well and I handled it better than expected. The story aired on the 9pm news last night on Fox. Thanks to Liz and Fox for doing the story and for all of those who stopped by “BOB”.
This afternoon we heard from KFDI radio here in Wichita and we’ll be on their morning show Friday at 6:40- so tune in if you’re awake.
Week 1
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The site went live a week ago today and we’re simply overwhelmed. The responses, support and donations are far exceeding what we ever expected at this point. The biggest thank you to each of you who have visited, shared the site and to those who have donated.
We passed that initial scare and now we’re thinking that this might really work. So again, thank you- thank you!
Less than 30 of you have done what we had anticipated 1000 would do- your generosity is so deeply appreciated.
Please continue to pass along our link and share the site wherever you can. We’ve still got a long way to go- but with each of you by our side we’re confident we’ll get there.
Adoption
Monday, July 10, 2006
Something we discussed very early on and is often the subject of many questions we’re asked is adoption. It’s something I’d never really given much thought to, but the second we learned of our infertility it immediately showed up on my radar.
Early on we agreed if we aren’t able to have children of our own, we will definitely pursue adoption. Our families have been on the giving and receiving sides of adoption- so it’s not something we’re unfamiliar with. And we’ve seen first hand the joy and love that these babies bring to their new parents, and vice versa.
Shelton and I talked on the way home from that visit where we learned that we’d have to do IVF and he asked me why would we even pursue this, why not just go straight for adoption. But I knew we had to give our baby a chance. I know somewhere out there our baby is waiting for us- and I have to do everything within my power to get it here. And if we’ve exhausted that possibility, look out adoption- here we come.
I do have a greater respect for people who have both given their babies for adoption and those who have brought them home as their own. I’m beginning to learn that is one of the most loving and selfless acts a person can do. But like I said, I’m just not ready to give up on the possibility of little Brandi/Shelton baby. The odds are stacked in our favor for the best outcome with IVF and we’re hanging on to that hope. Right now, it’s all we’ve got.
Thank you to everyone who has written to us with this question. We hope this will help answer that question.
Please see the FAQ section to see what we’ve written about this subject.
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