“Modern Medicine Miracles”
The Ujlaky family and their little miracles, Nadia and Charisse; Jenison, MI

The decision to have children was not a light one for us. John and I didn’t want to have them just because that is the next step in life or that is what is expected. We thought long and hard about the importance of children, the significance of bringing a person into the world and the impact he/she would make. We made the decision hoping that the children we would raise would make a positive impact on the world around them. We love children and family is number one in our lives. John and I were ready but had no idea the complex and overwhelming journey we were about to embark on.

The waiting room with anxious, confused want-to-be parents is where most infertile couples begin. Our story begins with the usual story: low motility and no ovulation. Our first visit to Dr. Young seemed unreal and unimaginable. Knowing what was ahead of us brought sadness, anger, and disbelief. We began the routine tests and I started Clomid. We had one failed IUI and anxiety mounted. It was such a day of elation when I received the phone call that I was pregnant. We have been blessed with a rowdy, smart little boy, now 3.

Feeling ready to expand our family, John and I were in for a big shock. Sitting in another waiting room again filled with anxious and confused parents, only this time to hear devastating news that my husband John was diagnosed with testicular cancer. We asked ourselves if our plans for more children was slipping away and in the back of my mind was the fear that my husband may slip away. On Father’s Day 2004, John was in surgery for the removal of the tumor, which encased his testicle. Prior to surgery and radiation, he was encouraged to make a final sperm donation. It’s heart wrenching to see your husband go through such fear, confusion, and physical pain. It also breaks your heart to have to explain what is going on with daddy to a 2-year old.

Once he was feeling back to normal and healthy, we began to plan for our second child. One attempt with insemination failed. The doctor encouraged IVF due to the small amount of sperm we had stored, and the fact that radiation would not allow him to give more for over a year. We decided to make the financial and emotional investment. It was my turn now to be the patient. I had numerous blood draws, injections, ultrasounds, and oral medications. There is a lot of fear when you become your own pharmacist, doctor, and nurse when dealing with mixing vials, choosing correct injection techniques, watching for possible side effects, and being precise with the timing of doses. However, the fear of not having a family far outweighed a few, all right a lot, of needle injections. the process strangely left me feeling like a stronger, more determined person.

A few weeks into the IVF procedure, with our excitement and anxiety mounting, John went back in to see his doctor, only to find out he had another tumor on his other testicle which would require removal. This left us feeling empty, overwhelmed, and scared. Would the specimens he had stored up be enough to give us the family we had dreamed of? We were in shock. Another waiting room filled with anxious families waiting to hear surgery went well, is where I sat on my emotional rollercoaster. While John was in surgery, I had to continue thinking about the timing of my injections to say on track with the IVF procedure. My emotions were so mixed and strong I just felt numb. The surgery went well and John is recovered and cancer-free for over a year.

While on the table having eggs harvested, I was just praying that I had done all my injections correctly and my body had responded well. Dr. Young retrieved 11 eggs and successfully fertilized 7. Two were implanted and we were blesses with the excellent news that I was pregnant with twins. I carried them full term with no complications and on October 13th, I delivered 2 beautiful girls, Nadia (hopeful) and Charisse (full of grace and kindness), both 5 pounds, 11 ounces.

Who knew from anxious waiting rooms to the sterile exam rooms such joy, blessings, and hope would immerse. Tonight, like every night, I peer in on my softly sleeping children and then slip into bed next to my strong and loving husband. Words just do not capture how truly grateful I am that modern medicine has allowed me to keep my wonderful husband and bring 3 beautiful people into this world.