source:- theadvocate<\/p>\n
In the early 2000s, Marcy Holmes and her husband were ready to start their family. They didn\u2019t expect it to be such a difficult journey.<\/p>\n
When Marcy didn\u2019t become pregnant after about six months of trying, her doctor discovered a problem with her reproductive tubes. She had surgery to correct the issue, but still never became pregnant.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when Marcy\u2019s doctor referred her to Dr. John Storment at Fertility Answers. Storment put Marcy on a medication to enhance fertility. That didn\u2019t work either. Six months of artificial insemination followed. Still no pregnancy.<\/p>\n
The repeated failed attempts were emotionally draining for Marcy and her husband. It was also difficult for Marcy\u2019s mother, Barbara Bloomer.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was so devastated,\u201d Bloomer recalled. \u201cI think I was even more devastated because I had to watch my child go through this. But when we found Dr. Storment and got a little hope, she perked up. When she perked up, I perked up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eventually, Dr. Storment recommended Marcy and her husband try in vitro fertilization.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went through our first cycle and we were so incredibly blessed that it worked the first time,\u201d she said. The result was Grant, born in February 2004.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were just thrilled beyond belief,\u201d Marcy said. \u201cHe was the first grandchild in the family, so it was really exciting for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
A few years later, Marcy and her husband wanted to add to their family. Knowing that other methods hadn\u2019t worked, they opted to immediately begin with in vitro fertilization. Two embryos were successfully transferred, and twins Reese and Carter were born in May 2007.<\/p>\n
The twins were born 11 weeks premature. Reese was tiny and needed time to grow, but Carter spent eight weeks in the hospital so doctors could address breathing issues and other problems.<\/p>\n
Today, the twins are healthy teenagers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still have moments when I flash back to being in the NICU,\u201d Marcy said. \u201cI would think to myself, \u2018Someday they will be in kindergarten and this will be a distant memory.\u2019 Now they are about to start eighth grade and they are doing great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Holmes comes from a close family and is the oldest of four daughters. One of her sisters, Rebecca Gilley, was considering starting her own family not long after her nephew Grant was born. When she and her husband began trying, they realized there was a problem.<\/p>\n
Doctors discovered Rebecca\u2019s husband had fertility issues. They tried different medications and methods, none of which worked. Seeing the success her sister had with Dr. Storment encouraged Rebecca and her husband to meet with him as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt encouraged me because I saw she had a family, and that was my goal,\u201d Rebecca said. \u201cThat\u2019s who I knew I wanted to see because I remembered everything she went through and how much she loved him.\u201d<\/p>\n
After consulting with Dr. Storment, Rebecca and her husband learned their only option was in vitro fertilization. Rebecca was \u201cdevastated\u201d when the procedure didn\u2019t work, even after multiple tries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought about stopping,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was so difficult on us, mentally, physically, emotionally and financially. We prayed about it and decided to try one more time.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Bloomer, seeing another daughter and son-in-law struggle to conceive was \u201csurreal.\u201d But she was determined to keep the faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had been through it once and had success, so we felt confident,\u201d Bloomer said. \u201cI always told both of them, \u2018One way or another, you girls are going to become moms. We are going to figure this out. At the end of this, we will all be okay.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
That last try for Gilley and her husband was successful. Their son Grayson was born in 2009.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was good. I was thrilled,\u201d Rebecca said. \u201cBut then, after a couple of years, we started thinking about it again. I told my husband that I wanted to try one more time because I wanted to be able to tell our son we did try to give him a sibling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The process worked, and twins Liam and Sarah Kate were born in 2012. The event was especially momentous for Rebecca, who herself is an identical twin.<\/p>\n
Rebecca and her husband thought their family was complete. But in 2013, they were shocked with Rebecca became pregnant naturally.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took me nine full months to believe it,\u201d she said with a laugh. \u201cI called Dr. Storment and everybody was shocked. I ended up having my fourth child (a daughter, Greer) in 2014. It just goes to show that you have to have faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barbara and her husband Daniel are now the proud grandparents to 10 grandchildren, six of whom were conceived with help from Fertility Answers. The brood includes six boys and four girls, ages six to 16.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are the joy of our lives,\u201d Barbara said. \u201cTo me, God gave doctors the ability to help people make families. It\u2019s just awesome to have a big family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barbara said she also encourages families and couples who may be struggling.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople say, \u2018Look where you are now,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cBut we were where they are, too. It wasn\u2019t always easy. I just want people to know there\u2019s a lot of hope out there.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4701],"tags":[866,3360,3359,3358,606],"class_list":["post-5268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gynecomastia-man-boobs","tag-fertility","tag-fertilization","tag-healthy-children","tag-overcome-fertility","tag-pregnancy"],"yoast_head":"\n