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Ville Platte Couple Chosen for Gift of Hope 2010
Follow Robin & Dion's IVF journey and the Gift of Hope on Facebook:
Follow the Carter's IVF Journey
Dr. John Storment and Fertility & Women’s Health Center of Louisiana,
Women’s & Children’s Hospital, and Sheridan Healthcare are pleased to
announce the selection of Robin & Dion Carter, of Ville
Platte, LA, as recipients of the Gift of Hope 2010. The Carters were
selected from a pool of 59 applications received from Louisiana couples
seeking to be granted a free in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle in their
efforts to conceive a child.
The Gift of Hope selection committee, composed of Karen Alleman, staff nurse at Women’s & Children’s Hospital; Kevin Caswell, vice president of commercial banking at Teche Federal Bank; Najwa Dibbs, psychologist; and Jaci Russo, senior partner of Russo Ad Group, selected the Carters to receive the gift of a free in vitro fertilization cycle based upon their financial and medical needs and personal situation.
The Carters have been battling infertility for over five years due to Robin’s endometriosis, a condition that can cause both pain and infertility. Thirty to forty percent of patients with endometriosis are infertile, a rate two to three times that of the general population. Although the causes of endometriosis are unknown and there is no cure for this disease, a variety of treatment options exist, including pain management, hormonal treatment and laparoscopic surgery.
In Robin’s case, extensive endometriosis has blocked both her fallopian tubes preventing the sperm and egg from uniting. She has undergone two laparoscopic surgeries to remove endometriosis and cysts, but is still struggling with infertility. In vitro fertilization offers the best chance for her to conceive, a procedure not covered by the couple’s health insurance.
"I am on cloud nine!" Robin said after being contacted by telephone that she and Dion were chosen for the Gift of Hope award. "I'm at work right now, but I don't really feel like I'm here. I still can't believe it. This is a dream come true for us!"
Having a family has always been a dream of the Carter's, who both come from close-knit families. Dion is one of six children from the Bayou Chicot area, while Robin is extremely close to her mother and sister who live in Opelousas. Mother's Day, Robin says, is always an emotional time for her, especially when she is at church with her mother and sister, who also suffers from endometriosis.
"I see all of the mothers in church being honored and keep wondering why this had to happen to me and my sister. But I think God gives us these challenges in life to make us stronger," Robin says."It just make me that much more determined to fight this horrible disease."
The Carters join six other couples who have received the Gift of Hope since its inception in 2006. To date, the Gift of Hope has proudly been responsible for the birth of three babies, Hope Elizabeth Hughes born in April 2007, Grace-Ann Elizabeth McCleery born in April 2009, and Jagger Dean Bourque, born in October 2009.
Follow the Carter's IVF Journey:
July 9, 2010 - Stim Start - Robin's first step is daily hormone injections to stimulate multiple egg production rather than the single egg normally produced by her body each month. At her appointment this week, Robin learned how to give herself these injections......ouch! She comes back in over the next few days for ultrasounds to monitor her progress.
July 16, 2010 - Ultrasound Monitoring - Robin continues her stimulation medications and returned to the office this week for labs and ultrasounds. She visited with Suzanne, IVF Coordinator at FWHC, to review pre-op paperwork and address any questions. On Robin's way out she admired the baby board stating some day she hopes to have her baby's photo up there. ...She recognized Grace McCleery and Jagger Bourque on the board. Robin then headed to the hospital to do her pre-op paperwork. With tears in her eyes, Robin expressed she has made friends for life with all of the staff at FWHC.
July 18, 2010 - Egg Retrieval - This morning was Egg Retrieval Day for Robin and Dion! Dr. Storment retrieved an ample number of eggs from Robin and everything is looking positive for a great cycle. As always, Robin had a BIG smile on her face the whole time!
July 23, 2010 - Embryo Transfer - This morning was Embryo Transfer Day for Robin & Dion. Healthy embryos were transferred to Robin's uterus and Dr. Storment says everything went very well. Now we wait! In 10 days, Robin returns to have a pregnancy test. We are keeping our fingers and toes crossed for a positive outcome!
Aug 2, 2010 - Positive Pregnancy Test! Robin will return in a few days to repeat her blood test to make sure her numbers are steadily increases, signifying a healthy pregnancy.
Aug 31, 2010 - TWINS! - Robin Carter returned to our office today for a follow-up ultrasound which confirms she is currently pregnant with twins! Due to the nature of some early pregnancies, she will be on bedrest for awhile but she should be fine. As always with any pregnancy, there is always a risk of complications including miscarriage, but for now we are very optimistic that she and Dion will be proud parents next spring.
November 2010 - Sadly, Robin went into premature labor
at 19 weeks and lost both twins after a valiant attempt by her and her
high-risk obstetrician to save the babies.