This is a beautiful and heartwrenching story. I am so deeply sorry she had this DX to begin with. Such a young person, it’s shocking! Thanks so very much to Kathy for sharing her story. There are many conditions that contribute to infertility. Conceivable Dreams believes there should be funding to help form healthy families in the province of Ontario. Glad this dream came true for this family.
And hopefully the next stage of the journey will go smoothly when they are ready to embark on the Embryo transfer process and create a family together.
It’s wonderful to hear that you are cancer-free and that modern medicine was able to save your life. I’d disagree with you that having children is a right; I’d say it is a privilege. I also grew up always wanting to have children, but I also know a LOT of families who have adopted so if for some reason I was unable to have children of my own, I’d adopt. (In fact, even though I already have children of my own, I would still consider adopting – there are so many kids waiting for a “forever family.”) So while I think it’s wonderful that technology has saved your life, and made it possible for you to have your own children, I don’t think taxpayers should have to pay the huge expenses of IVF just because you want a child who is biologically yours.
While adoption is a wonderful option in theory, our family has also seen first hand the difficulties of navigating a broken system which does not put the needs of the children first. https://littlemisskate.ca/2013/09/ohip4ivf-infertility/
And this is more then just about creating a biological family, it is about coverage for a medical condition that affects 1 in 8 Couples in Canada
Your story is so moving! You’re right, it’s a blessing that your parents were able and willing to help. Like the previous commenter, I disagree that having children is a right. My husband and I would enjoy having more children but realize that our finances would be too strained with a bigger family. We, too, are paying back student loans. At Too many people (in the US, at least) neglect to think of their limitations and depend on the government for supplemental help; consequently the taxpayers shoulder the burden of their lack of forethought.
In Canada our health care system works a little different, and currently it carrying the burden of may multiple births due to couples implanting more than 1 embryo at a time due to the high cost of IVF. Instead they will implant 2-3 (or more) which creates a higher risk of multiple births.
Multiple births are at risk of preterm delivery, NICU admissions and complications. The cost of the hospital stay, doctors and medications is all covered. So we are already paying for risks people take with IVF.
By directing funding to single embryo transfers for infertile couples we can help Canadians create healthy families while decreasing our health care costs in the long run.
Wow, what a crazy experience. I can’t even imagine the stress of situation along much less all the financial burdens that make it a million times worse.
What a touching story. I had tears in my eyes just reading it. I love that they are trying to help others who may be dealing with similar circumstances. Good luck!
What a beautiful story! I can imagine going through such struggles! She is a strong women! I wish her all the best and hope we hear an update that she’s pregnant!
I don’t actually believe the issue is whether it’s a right or privilege – it’s whether we are building healthy families or not. f you have a health care issue and the recommended course of action for this issue – is IVF, should it not be covered by a universally accessible health care system? Yes, I think so. Also, listen I have two little girls and I am blessed beyond measure to be an adoptive parent: however, that is not the road for everyone. Adoption is a very hard to navigate. Adoption and infertility are inextricably intertwined. I have spoken to and met many many couples who conceived with IVF and then adopted their second child etc. It’s not Either/ OR. Both systems need support and when government invests in healthy families we all benefit. The reality also is public funding with single embryo transfer saves money. Fewer high rish pregnancies, fewer multiple births equals less stress on health care systems. In countries where public funding is in place the health care system saves millions of dollars each year. The answer is an investment in both systems of infertility and adoption – NOT either/ OR.
I have to say, I had never thought of the impact of going through chemo and radiation. It is sad to have to be faced with the thought of not being able to have children.
That couple was blessed to have family help but it was still a financial strain. No doubt about it.
I think sharing these stories helps people understand that this is a great problem that we face as a society. Investing in our future is money well spent as far as I am concerned.
Thanks for sharing your family’s story. I wish them all the best. I’m crossing my fingers for them too!
Wow. What a story. I had no idea that fertility was affected so dramatically…and didn’t know how tough the situation was to try to correct that! That’s awful, but thank goodness you found a way.
Such a moving story!! Oh my goodness…it’s hard to imagine the struggles that must have been endured, and by so many others as well. Thanks for sharing!!
I’m writing from Fertile Future, a foundation created specifically to assist people just like Kathy. I invite you to take a look at our website http://www.fertilefuture.ca to see if you might qualify for funding through our Power of Hope Program.
wow this is unreal.. i had no clue that it could cost so much. I actually thought that because of her situation they could do it for a fraction of the cost. If she was perfectly healthy and freezing her embryo’s for ‘just in case’ then she should pay full cost. But not in her situation… I hope they can change this.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and for raising awareness about this issue. It’s a cruel twist of fate that if you survive cancer your chances of conceiving a child are diminished. Fertility treatment definitely should be covered under cancer care. Wishing you and your husband lots of luck with your fertility journey. Congratulations on kicking cancer’s ass. 🙂
Wow, that’s an awesome story! IVF is so important to so many people. Money shouldn’t be a reason why people cannot start a family. Thanks for raising awareness.
My sister has been going thru chemo. as it was discovered, just a few months ago, that she had several lumps in her breast. She is 38 years old, and it is a scary thought to me. Reading your story has enlightened me. Thank you for sharing.
Such a moving story! The cost is ridiculous for these treatments, depending on what province you live in, I believe Quebec is leading the way, and paying for some treatments. I had unexplained infertility did all the tests and nothing stood out I just was unable to conceive, we did 4 rounds of IUI which is the first line of treatments, less expensive but at about 700 dollars a cycle plus driving an hour each way to get blood work to say if I was ovulating. ( I kept getting false positives with ovulation tests) I got pregnant once and had a miscarriage, IVF just wasnt an option financially as we didn’t have any help. I starting doing accupuncture and had finally came to terms that i wouldnt be a mom and starting dreaming of trips I would take and then I was feeling off one month and took a test even though I thought no way after trying for so long, sure enough I was pregnant!! my heart goes out to all with infertility struggles, I kept mine to myself because i felt ashamed, and people can be so thoughtless and hurtful
What a moving story. You are so right. I think that the right to all health care should not defend on anybody’s wealth. I hope everything works out.
Agreed, you should not have to spend your life savings to treat a medical condition out of your control
This is a beautiful and heartwrenching story. I am so deeply sorry she had this DX to begin with. Such a young person, it’s shocking! Thanks so very much to Kathy for sharing her story. There are many conditions that contribute to infertility. Conceivable Dreams believes there should be funding to help form healthy families in the province of Ontario. Glad this dream came true for this family.
And hopefully the next stage of the journey will go smoothly when they are ready to embark on the Embryo transfer process and create a family together.
It’s wonderful to hear that you are cancer-free and that modern medicine was able to save your life. I’d disagree with you that having children is a right; I’d say it is a privilege. I also grew up always wanting to have children, but I also know a LOT of families who have adopted so if for some reason I was unable to have children of my own, I’d adopt. (In fact, even though I already have children of my own, I would still consider adopting – there are so many kids waiting for a “forever family.”) So while I think it’s wonderful that technology has saved your life, and made it possible for you to have your own children, I don’t think taxpayers should have to pay the huge expenses of IVF just because you want a child who is biologically yours.
While adoption is a wonderful option in theory, our family has also seen first hand the difficulties of navigating a broken system which does not put the needs of the children first.
https://littlemisskate.ca/2013/09/ohip4ivf-infertility/
And this is more then just about creating a biological family, it is about coverage for a medical condition that affects 1 in 8 Couples in Canada
Your story is so moving! You’re right, it’s a blessing that your parents were able and willing to help. Like the previous commenter, I disagree that having children is a right. My husband and I would enjoy having more children but realize that our finances would be too strained with a bigger family. We, too, are paying back student loans. At Too many people (in the US, at least) neglect to think of their limitations and depend on the government for supplemental help; consequently the taxpayers shoulder the burden of their lack of forethought.
In Canada our health care system works a little different, and currently it carrying the burden of may multiple births due to couples implanting more than 1 embryo at a time due to the high cost of IVF. Instead they will implant 2-3 (or more) which creates a higher risk of multiple births.
Multiple births are at risk of preterm delivery, NICU admissions and complications. The cost of the hospital stay, doctors and medications is all covered. So we are already paying for risks people take with IVF.
https://littlemisskate.ca/2013/04/saving-healthcare-dollars-with-public-funding-for-ivf-ohip4ivf/
By directing funding to single embryo transfers for infertile couples we can help Canadians create healthy families while decreasing our health care costs in the long run.
Very touching story, I am so glad you are feeling better and you received the financial help you need it. Good luck to you!
Wow, what a crazy experience. I can’t even imagine the stress of situation along much less all the financial burdens that make it a million times worse.
What a touching story. I had tears in my eyes just reading it. I love that they are trying to help others who may be dealing with similar circumstances. Good luck!
What an amazing and moving story. WOW. I can’t even begin to imagine the hardship.
What a beautiful story! I can imagine going through such struggles! She is a strong women! I wish her all the best and hope we hear an update that she’s pregnant!
I don’t actually believe the issue is whether it’s a right or privilege – it’s whether we are building healthy families or not. f you have a health care issue and the recommended course of action for this issue – is IVF, should it not be covered by a universally accessible health care system? Yes, I think so. Also, listen I have two little girls and I am blessed beyond measure to be an adoptive parent: however, that is not the road for everyone. Adoption is a very hard to navigate. Adoption and infertility are inextricably intertwined. I have spoken to and met many many couples who conceived with IVF and then adopted their second child etc. It’s not Either/ OR. Both systems need support and when government invests in healthy families we all benefit. The reality also is public funding with single embryo transfer saves money. Fewer high rish pregnancies, fewer multiple births equals less stress on health care systems. In countries where public funding is in place the health care system saves millions of dollars each year. The answer is an investment in both systems of infertility and adoption – NOT either/ OR.
I have to say, I had never thought of the impact of going through chemo and radiation. It is sad to have to be faced with the thought of not being able to have children.
That couple was blessed to have family help but it was still a financial strain. No doubt about it.
I think sharing these stories helps people understand that this is a great problem that we face as a society. Investing in our future is money well spent as far as I am concerned.
Thanks for sharing your family’s story. I wish them all the best. I’m crossing my fingers for them too!
Wow. What a story. I had no idea that fertility was affected so dramatically…and didn’t know how tough the situation was to try to correct that! That’s awful, but thank goodness you found a way.
Be well! And thanks for sharing this story.
Amazing and so touching. I had no idea how difficult it was for so many. thanks for sharing this story
Such a moving story!! Oh my goodness…it’s hard to imagine the struggles that must have been endured, and by so many others as well. Thanks for sharing!!
Hi everyone,
I’m writing from Fertile Future, a foundation created specifically to assist people just like Kathy. I invite you to take a look at our website http://www.fertilefuture.ca to see if you might qualify for funding through our Power of Hope Program.
Sincerely,
Jessica Séguin
Executive Director
wow this is unreal.. i had no clue that it could cost so much. I actually thought that because of her situation they could do it for a fraction of the cost. If she was perfectly healthy and freezing her embryo’s for ‘just in case’ then she should pay full cost. But not in her situation… I hope they can change this.
This is an amazing story. Not everyone is so lucky to have family that isn’t only willing but able to help. Crazy expensive!
Thank you so much for sharing your story and for raising awareness about this issue. It’s a cruel twist of fate that if you survive cancer your chances of conceiving a child are diminished. Fertility treatment definitely should be covered under cancer care. Wishing you and your husband lots of luck with your fertility journey. Congratulations on kicking cancer’s ass. 🙂
Wow, that’s an awesome story! IVF is so important to so many people. Money shouldn’t be a reason why people cannot start a family. Thanks for raising awareness.
Pingback: The High Cost of Cancer and Infertility #ohip4ivf #onpoli | Conceivable Dreams
What a story, you were very lucky to have parents that would help you out!! I hope you were able to have the children you so wanted!!
My sister has been going thru chemo. as it was discovered, just a few months ago, that she had several lumps in her breast. She is 38 years old, and it is a scary thought to me. Reading your story has enlightened me. Thank you for sharing.
Such a moving story! The cost is ridiculous for these treatments, depending on what province you live in, I believe Quebec is leading the way, and paying for some treatments. I had unexplained infertility did all the tests and nothing stood out I just was unable to conceive, we did 4 rounds of IUI which is the first line of treatments, less expensive but at about 700 dollars a cycle plus driving an hour each way to get blood work to say if I was ovulating. ( I kept getting false positives with ovulation tests) I got pregnant once and had a miscarriage, IVF just wasnt an option financially as we didn’t have any help. I starting doing accupuncture and had finally came to terms that i wouldnt be a mom and starting dreaming of trips I would take and then I was feeling off one month and took a test even though I thought no way after trying for so long, sure enough I was pregnant!! my heart goes out to all with infertility struggles, I kept mine to myself because i felt ashamed, and people can be so thoughtless and hurtful
Her’s is such a touching story. What a journey travelled by two strong people.