The Baby Journals

We went to the clinic yesterday. I can’t say that all went as planned, or that it was news we wanted to hear. When we got there we discovered that the tests we were to have done that day did not cost the $800 Dr. W quoted at our first appointment. Turns out, my side of the testing would cost approximately $2000, and Jay’s side would cost about $675. That we were not prepared for. It took everything I had inside not to break down right there in the nurse’s office. So we pretty much just sat there with the IVF Nurse Coordinator, who was wonderful, and talked about our options. Here are a few:

1) Continue saving/raising money (we have almost $3000 in the bank) and just wait until we have enough money to continue. It would be nice to have the entire amount (about $14,000 now) when we start so we would have one less concern while we were going through the process.

2) Nurse E told us some companies that she knew had insurance benefits that covered IVF treatments, one being Ban.k of Americ.a. I could apply for a teller job, work it for the 3-6 month period before I have coverage and then go forward with the process.  I have already sent in my resume to two branches here in town that had part time openings.  If they call me for an interview, I will definitely be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing me.  I guess it’s a good time for change anyway!

3)  This option would be the most appealing to me, but it involves a bit of chance (favor!?).  There is an infertility awareness conference in Jacksonville on November 3rd.  To “give back” to the community, the clinics represented there are giving away 3 free IVF cycles to registered attendees.  I registered the minute I saw that!  I wonder if it’s ok to pray that I win one of them?  I guess it can’t hurt!  If that’s in the plans for me, then let it be!  Obviously, this would be awesome.  I could immediately go forward if this happened, and not only would the first cycle be free (except for the tests above), but if, God forbid, it didn’t work the first time, or I wanted to have another kid later, then the following cycles would be about 1/2 – 1/3 the cost of the first IVF because I would already have frozen embryos ready to transfer.

So, that’s the latest news.  I’d welcome any input or advice you may have to give!  I’ll be sure to keep you updated.

This is a picture of the cost sheet I got from the clinic. Add to that the testing that we’ll be having Wednesday – I’ve been told around $800-$1000. Most of the terms up there are Greek to me at this point, but I’m sure I’ll be quite familiar with them in the very near future. I just wanted to put this up for everyone to see. Sometimes I say how much it costs, and I can hardly believe it myself. I know some may be thinking that there’s no way that this could be so expensive (I know, I think that too sometimes), but here it is in black and white. Very real, very expensive. However, I know that when we have our baby(ies!) it will be worth every single penny.

I’d just ask that if you’re the praying type, please pray specifically that every area above that I need to spend money on will be covered somehow. Some of it already is thanks to our gracious family and friends who’ve invested in our future. I can’t say thanks enough. Also, if you have any creative ideas that we could use to raise funds, please share! Otherwise, we’ll be selling anything that’s not nailed down on eBay ! Anything it takes.

Here are a few pictures from the Baby Boom Concert. There are more if you care to look over on my Flickr page. Enjoy!

We’ll be traveling to Jacksonville for appointment number two next Wednesday (24th).  This appointment will be a doozie.  They told me on the phone to plan to be there for at least two hours.

This appointment will be filled with blood tests, sonograms, a certain “analysis”, and a consult with the IVF nurse coordinator.  Jay’s shaking in his boots about having to have blood drawn – I think I’m used to that part by now!

I haven’t updated about the insurance stuff lately, so here it is.  There are plans out there that will cover certain IVF medications and testing – just not for me.  Apparently I have what they call a pre-existing condition and the coverage I need and want is totally unavailable unless I want to wait another year.  I honestly can’t fathom sitting on my hands for another year while time ticks away.  So we will be paying for this out of pocket.  Thankfully, we’ve had wonderful people like you who’ve donated towards this cause – again we say thank you.  So this appointment is paid for, and we’ll just see where we go from there.

Keep praying…

~Brooke~

We are assuming that you all want to know how the show went on Friday.  I wish we had better words to describe the feeling it gave us, but my friend Chris beat us to it.  Please read his post about the show, and let him know we sent you over.

We really just want to thank everybody that participated and made it a night that we won’t soon forget.  The bands:  Alex Watson, Mckendree Tucker, The Inside Out Band, Family Life Worship Team, and Fred McKinnon & Friends .  You all were amazing.  We enjoyed every second of the music, your talents are vast.  Also, without TJ & Kim Thompson, this event would have never happened.  Thanks for being great friends.

We’re so thankful for everyone that came out and supported us.  It was a great night.

Even though the night was about raising money, it meant so much more than the money to us.  That being said, we know you all want the bottom line…well, we don’t have the completed count yet,  but we came home with $1,469.  There is still pre-show ticket money out there, and as soon as we get the total, I’ll update this post.

We are a little closer to our dream.   Our next step is our “testing” appointment.  We’ll be calling and making that on Monday.  Hopefully, very soon, all of you who promised babysitting services will be able to make good on that promise!

We love you all,
~Jay & Brooke~