Hello everyone,
My name is Alicia,
I am a 34 year old, full time student (Anthropology & Journalism), and real estate agent.
I am genuine, compassionate, artistic, adventurous, hardworking, and fun loving.
Thank you for being here, I’ll get right to it.
I am asking for assistance for two reasons, wanting to start a family and medical bills due to my tumor.
I have a small lesion in my pituitary gland. Although it’s not life threatening, it’s caused serious health issues; osteoporosis, fertility, major hormone deficiencies.
This tumor is costing me a tremendous amount of money to be able to live a normal healthy life. My dream is to become a mother, I have plenty of options for doing so, unfortunately they will be expensive.. A few years ago I had almost given up on becoming a mother, I was getting older, I couldn’t find the right guy, and I couldn’t have them naturally…I just thought I was destined to be the best aunt & dog mom ever…forever. Two years ago, when I moved back from Arizona to my hometown in Oregon, I reunited with my small town crush. We’d been in school together since 2nd grade, graduated together…I hadn’t seen him in over 15 years. I knew instantly that we’d be married one day, I’ve never wanted a child more.
Because of the lesion in my pituitary gland, Its like I’ve been going through menopause since the age of 15.
First, it’s caused primary amenorrhea. I am 34 years old and have never had a natural menstrual cycle. I only cycle when I am on medication. This is very rare. Most women loose their period for some reason (excessive exercise, being pregnant, eating disorders, menopause, etc.) those are called secondary amenorrhea, much more common. My female reproductive system however, is in great condition and working order. The issue is my brain (pituitary) is not sending the signal to my ovaries that it’s “that time”…so without my cycle I don’t Ovulate and release my eggs (which are still plentiful).
In order for me to successfully Ovulate and attempt conception. I have to take these hormone injections called gonadotropins. I then visit the doctor twice a week for an ultrasound and bloodwork. When I reach ovulation and my follicles have reached the appropriate size, the doc gives the green light.
None of this is covered by insurance, we’ve done one cycle so far it cost nearly $7,000 (medicine & doctors visits). The success rate is anywhere from 12-20% it raises each time, after 3 or 4 times they recommend IVF which if we must do, will be a minimum of $20k.
We did our first round, traveled from Eugene to Portland (2hrs each way), twice a week for 3 weeks, I injected myself each night, my ovarian follicles grew and I ovulated just fine. :( unfortunately, this round wasn’t successful.
My fiancée has his contractors license and his own flooring business, he works extremely hard. We are more than capable of providing for our future family. But and additional $7,000 isn’t something we can do every month at the moment, especially as students trying to get a degree to better our future for our family.
Right now were saving for round two.
Secondly, I mentioned this tumor has cost me tons of money over the years. Because my condition is considered hormonal, due to it being in my pituitary gland and affecting all my hormones. My insurance won’t cover a lot of the specialists I’ve had to see over the years or many of the medications I must be on. They look at hormone therapies as elective. In my case they are most definitely not. The lack of estrogen in my body has caused my bones to break down so much that I’ve developed serious osteoporosis. Since I was diagnosed, I got a gym membership, but I’ve also spent thousands on home equipment and personal trainers (usually meant for elderly clients) in an attempt to stop the process of bone loss. I am also on a strict diet, and spend a pretty good amount on specialty bone supplements each month.
If I don’t receive any help, I know I will find a way and never stop fighting for my dreams for the future and for a healthy life.
But if you are in a position where you can and choose to help. I will be so incredibly grateful, as I am trying to stay positive but it’s been quite a struggle.
Thank you for taking the time!
~ Alicia
My papal:
paypal.me/AliciaAnnmarie88