Good Things DO Come!

Kenny and I received some great news a few days ago that we are both excited to share. We would like you to keep in mind however, that this is a big deal for us to talk openly about it. We've both been hesitant to let anyone in on a few things going on in our life with anybody except for close family and friends. As time has gone on, we've discovered through our trial that we are definitely not alone in this. We feel like sharing could only create positive things to come. SO... a little background (okay a lot, sorry) before the NEWS.

Most people do not know that my hubby Kenny has a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Myotonic Dystrophy (MMD). In Kenny's case the disease didn't show itself really until he was about 25. In short, Myotonic Dystrophy is muscle wasting in the extremities. There are two types and thankfully Kenny has the less severe of the two. While some can have heart problems, lose their ability to walk, write, etc., Kenny has only lost his ability to grip anything with his hands. Looking at Kenny, you would have no idea that he even has any issues. We met with a specialist a few months ago and found out that every case is completely different so there is no way to tell what other things Kenny will experience in the future. As for now though, Kenny is healthy and strong, and as long as we have regular check-up's there's not much for us to worry about. However, another common problem we learned that comes from MMD is infertility. Kenny and I have struggled to get pregnant for the last 2 years. While Kenny does have a son, because he didn't have symptoms until he was in his early 20's and MMD is a progressive disease, infertility did not become an issue until after Kason was born. As a result we have found that because of MMD and other issues with me that our best option to have a baby together is through In-Vetro Fertilization (IVF). We also learned that because MMD is a genetic disease that there is a 50/50 chance it would be passed onto our children. IVF would ensure that it would not be passed on.

                                        
               Is he not the most handsome thing ever?!

If you know anything about IVF, it is ridiculously expensive. When we met with a fertility specialist here in Vegas we were quoted over $28,000. Obviously, we don't have that kind of money lying around and so have been putting the idea of kids on hold. It has been a really difficult two years for us. In ways that I can't really explain. We both want to have children together so badly. Kenny is such an amazing Dad to Kason and I KNOW that we have children waiting for us up there in Heaven. I am supposed to be a Mom. I’ve always felt that and wanted that so much. It just hasn't been on our time table I guess. Infertility is something that I would never wish on anyone. It is a struggle that no one can really understand unless you've been there. We have been so blessed with amazing family members though that have supported us through this hard time. We could not be more grateful for the support. And thank goodness we have each other...

 

           ...couldn't be more grateful that I have someone to help me laugh in between the tears.

About a month and a half ago I came across an organization on Facebook, Pound the Pavement for Parenthood. (PPP) They are an organization that is creating awareness and support for infertility. Infertility is something that people rarely talk about or share with others because of its sensitivity. At least that has been our case. PPP also sponsors couples that are having difficulties with infertility to assist them in relieving some of the financial burden that comes with both IVF and/or adoption. While looking around on their website I found that they were accepting applications for couples to sponsor in 2013 and so I applied. A few days later I got an email from, Jill who started the organization with her husband in 2010. Jill set up a phone interview with me and we talked for over 20 minutes about what Kenny and I had experienced over the last two years. It was such a relief to talk to someone who actually understood what Kenny and I were experiencing. To feel like the person on the other end of the conversation could actually relate the pain and frustrations we had experienced. For the last few weeks, we have been waiting anxiously to hear from PPP and on Thursday, we finally received the call.

Kenny and I have been selected to be 1 of 5 families that PPP will be sponsoring in 2013! On September 14, 2013 they will be holding a 5K race in St. George Utah with another couple to raise awareness and funds to go towards infertility treatments/adoption! I can't even explain to you what a blessing this is for Kenny and I! We both had kind of given up and this blessing has just proven to us that Heavenly Father hears prayers and answers them.

Over the next few months we will be posting more of our story and the plans for the race in September. We hope you'll join us on our journey this next year. This is something that we found no one ever wants to talk about... and we understand why...We've been there for the last two years. But I really hope that through us sharing our story we will be able to create support for others going through similar trials. I know what relief we felt when we relalized we were not alone in this. Our true desire is to create the same feeling for others as well!