"Patrick Joseph"
The Greene family and their impending little miracle; Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

The joy of preparing and anticipating for the arrival of your child is by far the greatest joy I have experienced this far in my life. I am expecting the arrival of my little miracle on or around January 6, 2006, with thanks to the medication Bravelle, Dr. Ziegler, and the power of love and faith.

After a year and 4 months of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, my husband and I were referred to a fertility specialist, Dr. Ziegler. After many tests, it was concluded that the issues lay within me. So began our journey with infertility treatments.

I received my medications via mail in January. We were all set. Now we just had to wait for my February cycle to begin. February came and went without a period and a negative pregnancy test, as did March. This was strange because for 5 years I had regular cycles. For some reason beyond my control this was meant to happen. I kept my faith, called Dr. Ziegler, and began medication to start my cycle.

I started my medication on a Monday, and on Tuesday found out that my uncle, whom I consider one of my best friends, passed away. He was with me through this whole process. I would call him to tell him what was happening and what the next step was. He always told me, "Do not give up hope, it will happen." He always sounded so sure of this.

April 1 came and so did my cycle. I started the injections and was artificially inseminated on April 13, 3 weeks after my uncle passed. Now, after a year and 8 months of trying to conceive, I took a pregnancy test to see if the medication and artificial insemination worked. However, even before I took the pregnancy test, I knew I was pregnant. I just had this feeling.

At my uncle’s funeral, I found out from my sister that my uncle had asked them what possessions of his they wanted when he died. I had mentioned to them that my uncle never asked me what I had wanted, which I thought was strange because we were so close. My dad was there for this conversation and he said to me, “Maybe he has something special for you that you just don’t know about yet.” I do not think my dad realizes what he said and I did not realize the impact of those words at the time.

I did not get the chance to make the phone call to tell my uncle I was artificially inseminated or that I am pregnant, but I have a feeling he already knew even before I did what was going to happen. The words my father said now made sense to me. This is what my uncle left me. I just did not know it at the time. From his death, came life. He was a part of giving me the greatest gift, a gift worth more than any material or monetary inheritance. The other parts were the medication Bravelle and a wonderful doctor.

My husband and I found out we are having a boy. He will be named Patrick Joseph, after my uncle.