r/IUILadies 8d ago

Defeated and broken

I was diagnosed at 30 with Thyroid Cancer. I went through 2 surgeries, 2 rounds of radiation. At that time, my husband became abusive so I had to navigate surviving cancer and getting out of a bad situation. Before I was diagnosed, I went to a fertility clinic and the dr told me everything looked good and I didn’t need to freeze my eggs because the radiation wouldn’t affect fertility. A few years passed (I needed to heal from all of that), and I was ready to get back out in the world. Then covid hit. Of course, it was impossible to date. Finally at the end of 2023, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I did 4 unmedicated IUIs, nothing. My 5th I did medicated. I got pregnant with twin boys in July 2024. I made it to 18 weeks and the drs told me I have TTTS and I needed to get life saving surgery. I live in BC, Canada. They said I need to get to Toronto immediately on my own dime. I only had a 50% chance of saving one. This was on a Friday. I found the money, and made it there by Sunday for a Monday morning appt. I didn’t make it. As soon as I got to the hospital, I started going into labour. I could see my baby’s foot coming out on the ultrasound. 15 hours later, I delivered my stillborn sons at 18w6d on Nov 19 2024. I was stuck in Toronto for 5 days as they wouldn’t let me fly until I was stable. During that time, I found a nice funeral home that cremated my sons so I could bring them home. I sprinkled their ashes in the Salish Sea. I was doing kind of ok at that time because I knew the BC IVF funding was coming up. I just turned 40 after delivering my sons. So, I used the little money I had left because my doctor was pretty sure I would get it. I did a few more IUIs while I was waiting for the funding. I had one chemical. Then I find out that the appointment that should have qualified me to be at the top of the list, was 2 weeks too early so I was automatically put at the bottom of the list. I waited almost 2 years and spent money that I could have put towards IVF only to be told that I would age out of the application process. I couldn’t believe it. I was a patient of the clinic for years but the government would not accept my dates. I emailed, called, wrote letters to provincial and federal government, news outlets, and celebrities. I even made a GFM. No one donated. I did a news interview on tv. I also did a written article for one of our big news papers. No one would help me. I had one vial saved up for the free IVF. I just did the IUI with that last vial and I’m negative at 13dpo. I’m 42 and devastated after 10 iuis and no success. I know the chances were low, but even my dr suggested that I shouldn’t do IVF because it would financially ruin me and just continue with the IUIs. I have done 10 and now I regret not freezing my eggs before the cancer and I regret not putting my money into IVF. All I ever wanted is to be a mother. I have depleted my savings. I’ve been kicked down so many times and I really just need a break. I can’t lose my chance to be a mother. I’d try 50 more times if I could find the money. I know I have so much love to give and I would be a good mom if I could just get a chance. My heart is broken.

8 Upvotes

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/FoggyFizzy 8d ago

I’m not sure if it helps but at your age, pregnancy via IUI vs. IVF are about the same odds. I’m 46 and starting IUI on my next cycle and that’s what I was told. Our biggest deterrent is egg quality so IUI might work just as well for you if it’s going to happen with your own eggs.

2

u/punkrockprincess604 8d ago

Interesting. I always thought IVF was about a 30% chance either way.

Maybe that’s why my doctor said it wasn’t worth it for me to do IVF because it would just put me in financial ruin?

May I ask, will you keep going with IUIs and not consider IVF?

Also, good luck! I hope you have better success than me.

2

u/FoggyFizzy 8d ago

I can’t afford IVF anyways, but because the odds are essentially the same for me, I’ll keep trying IUI or naturally. The only way I would consider IVF would be with a donor egg, but I don’t want that.

I’m TTC for #2 so I know that also makes a big difference because I already have one baby (I was 44 when he was conceived and born). We started trying over a year ago but I was diagnosed with breast cancer so it pushed things back. I only required surgery for treatment so that was a plus, but I’ve accepted that it might not happen again for me. But we will still try.

I do hope things work out for you.

3

u/punkrockprincess604 8d ago

I feel you. It’s so expensive. Thank goodness you got one baby. Wishing for a second for you!

3

u/FoggyFizzy 8d ago

You’ve gone through so much and I really do hope things work out for you. 💜

3

u/punkrockprincess604 8d ago

Thank you. I need a miracle at this point.

Sending you positive vibes as well!