Today is a very special day.

One year ago today Virginia had her embryo transfer procedure for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). 

Here is the story of hers and Michael's journey (in her own words) ... 

It all started 2 1/2 years ago. I did my research, went to all the meetings and was excited and ready to start the IVF process.  I very quickly realized it would be a much longer road than I had originally anticipated. At my very first doctors appointment they found a mass on my left ovary.  I was devastated. The doctors wanted me to schedule surgery to have the mass removed as soon as possible. They also told me there was a huge possibility I would never be able to have a baby. 

Shortly after that, on July 23 of 2015, we received the traumatic news of Ammon's skateboarding accident. Our lives were forever changed.  Ammon was in the ICU for 2 weeks and then another 2 weeks at the Shepard Center for rehabilitation.  There were many sleepless nights, countless trips to various doctors appointments, not to mention an insurance deductible that had been met.

I was so busy trying to take care of Ammon, while at the same time trying to keep life as normal as possible for Jared and Courtney and be supportive of my husbands crazy work schedule. There was no way I could schedule surgery. My family needed me. 

Almost a year went by. Just when we thought we were in the clear, Ammon hit his head, again. That caused an infection which required hours of at home IV infusions, doctors appointments and several surgeries. Then the guilt set in. I wanted a baby so badly it hurt. However, the medical bills had piled up over the last year and a half with no end insight. IVF is very expensive. I started to stress over how we would be able to pay for everything. 

After a lot of tears and several prayers, I felt it was time to take care of me. 

The doctors were able to successfully remove the mass. However, during surgery they found I had a severe case of endometriosis. This required another surgery (a D&C) which I had a couple of months later. 

September 2016 - I started my IVF shots. I was terrified of needles. I remember my first shot like it was yesterday. We were visiting my family in Alabama. Michael gave me the shot and mom held my hand. Thanks mom! 

October 17, 2016 - was my embryo transfer. Michael and I were able to watch the procedure on a monitor. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I remember being escorted down a long hallway into a room for us to change out of our scrubs. As soon as Michael shut the door I started sobbing. I could finally let it all out. All the stress and anticipation leading up to that moment was gone. I didn't have to hold it all together anymore. 

October 27, 2016 - I found out I was pregnant (our first time doing IVF was successful!!!) 

June 28, 2017 - our healthy baby girl, Brinley Virginia was born.

The odds were not in my favor. We went through one hurdle after another, but we never gave up.  I share my journey in hopes that others can read this and find the strength and courage to keep going. 

"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations"