The story so far

This is our story so far. In 1998, we met, fell head over heels in love, decided to get married two years later and to have a family as soon as possible. We knew there may be a chance of difficulty conceiving due to Danny's medical history but we were assured that shouldn't stand in our way. So in 2001 we started 'trying'.

18 months later and no joy, we approach the Doctors. Sent for tests, nothing is found to be wrong. So called 'unexplained infertility'. 'Don't worry,' I'm told. 'You are still young [23 at that point]. You have plenty of time.' Yes, but my husband is 33, we'd quite like to have children now please. But, I am too young to be referred for IVF at this point.

4 more years pass, babies continue to be born to family and friends. Each one mixed with a sharp stab of sorrow, but also happiness. But good news! We have been referred for IVF! Of course it will work! Except it doesn't and we are heartbroken. At this time we are told we are not allowed any further funding from the NHS and we decide to embark on the egg share donation program. This is where I donate half my eggs in receipt of free treatment. Twice we try this and twice it fails. Unless we can find £5000 to fund another cycle, then this is it for us.

But! NICE change their guidelines to say that all childless infertile couples should be allowed 3 funded cycles! Great news we think, except we are told 'no'. After many, many trips back and forth to the doctors, lost notes, letters written to the local funding body we are finally referred back to the hospital in 2012. After a really quite unpleasant appointment with a consultant who was annoyed we dared ask questions of the bureaucratic process, we leave heartbroken yet again, thinking that is it for us. (We had already gone down the adoption route, which is another very unpleasant experience, and another story). Then, out of the blue a letter from the hospital arrives to say that the local commissioning body has now approved our request and we are eligible for more treatment!

So here we are in 2013, 12 years after we first started our journey, about to embark on another leg. At present we are awaiting test results before we can get started. Tests we've both had innumerable times, but they have to be done and we aren't going to complain, as this could be it this time!