Just 3 months ago, I blogged to update everyone.
At the end of that blog, I said – “Possibly IVF. Possibly
another adoption…only time will tell”. Well, here we are, and time has told us!
As most of you know, I served in the Army for 5 years and as
most of you know, I have had this ongoing battle with infertility. With that
being said, I have been identified as being “service connected” for my PCOS
along with a few other things that have been linked to me not being able to
have children. What does that mean? It means the Veteran’s Benefit Administration
has found that being in the Army has directly impacted me to the point of
having some issues reproducing. Okay…so what does that mean? That means,
the VA has recognized that it is/could be the military’s fault for contributing
to my infertility, therefore they will pay for treatments for me to have
children.
Towards the end of June, I received the notice that my infertility
was service connected. Immediately, when my GYN found out, he, along with the
MT VA Women’s Health staff submitted a packet to National VA for my husband and
I to receive IVF treatment. This was huge. This meant I could possibly be
approved for a round of IVF that would be completely covered by
insurance. IVF is the one procedure I’ve had my eyes on for a long time, but
unfortunately could never afford it, considering the risk of the procedure and
it not working the first time. I wasn’t
super hopeful. I knew the chances of us getting approved for IVF was next to
impossible, as there had only been one Veteran (male) that had been approved in
Montana – ever.
Weeks went by and my hopes were dwindling. My doctor
reassured me that we had a wonderful case and he was super optimistic. The
women’s health coordinator was also very hopeful, but it didn’t keep me from
building my wall to protect myself.
Then, out of nowhere, I get a call. It’s a number that I didn’t recognize, so I let
it go to voicemail. I then see it ring again, same number. It’s Friday at 5pm,
who could it possibly be? I’m in a store and I really do not want to answer
while juggling a toddler, but I do. Maybe it’s important? The lady on the other
end starts talking and my son starts screaming. At first, I couldn’t really
understand what she was saying over the screams of my toddler, so she repeats
what she says. She is calling form the Montana VA (remember, it’s Friday and past
closing time at this point). She tells me she is calling me before she goes on
vacation next week to let me know that National has approved my IVF packet! I
am in instant tears. She then says, it’s THREE rounds over my lifetime. THREE! I cannot believe what I am hearing. I am so
thankful for this nurse who stayed longer on a Friday so she could tell me the
good news as soon as possible. I was just in awe.
After hearing the news, I knew I needed to do something
special to tell my husband. The night before we were talking about an article I
had read. It was about elephants and how they are amazing mothers who wait long
periods of time before meeting their young. I had told him that must be the
reason I really like elephants. So, I start looking around to see if I could
find anything elephant-like. I find a card with an elephant on it and an
elephant figurine. Perfect! I then get in my car and immediately call my GYN. I
have his personal number because he is my boss (ha). He thought I had
butt-dialed him by mistake and didn’t pick up. Remember, it’s Friday evening.
He then called me back and we celebrated over the phone! He told me to stop my
medication immediately (which was nice – I was on day 1 of my cycle). I drove
to my husband’s work and asked him to come to the parking lot. I gave him the
elephant and the card with “I love you no matter how many we add to our tribe, we
are approved for IVF!” on the inside. He was in tears now too. We would never
imagine the VA stepping in and taking care of us like this…covering 3 IVF
treatments. That’s nearly $45-60k, of which we do not have. What a blessing.
I cannot thank my VSO with the VBA and the MT Women’s Health
team at the MT VA enough for their hard work on getting us the approval we need
to grow our family. I am happy to say that I am the second Veteran (FIRST female),
in the state of Montana to ever be approved for IVF. We are anxious and nervous,
but very excited to get the ball rolling! Our treatment will be in Spokane,
Washington with Seattle Reproductive Medicine.
Here’s to the much-needed good news and hope for a brother
or sister for our little man.
