1 Lt. Mick and Jennifer McGeorge with Sher Fertility Office Manager Sharon Jochman
Life after Loss Flash back to a year ago: Thomas and her husband Hector are at a hospital in Australia holding their dead baby. Gabriel Thomas was born still at 32 weeks. The Thomases learned of structural abnormalities in the fetus at their 20-week ultrasound. Testing revealed a rare genetic disorder. But they decided to keep the pregnancy and fight for their baby’s life. After eight months of gestation, however, Samantha’s blood pressure skyrocketed. Doctors had to induce labor and Gabriel was not ready. “The hardest part was being surrounded by moms with healthy babies,” Thomas says. “We would walk down the hall and see families celebrating their newborns. We were happy for them, but our hearts were broken.” But, as they say, what does not beat you will make you stronger. The experience emboldened the Thomases and gave them the courage to try again. “We view life as a gift,” says Thomas. “A healthy baby is a miracle.” And a miracle came their way. Ten months after losing Gabriel, Elijah was born. “Right after I gave birth, I asked Hector, ‘Is he alive?’ The entire
pregnancy we were on edge, expecting something to go wrong. Now that he is here and healthy, we are in awe of him.” After Elijah’s birth, the Thomases moved to Las Vegas. They had eight remaining embryos they wanted to use in hopes of getting their son a sibling or two. They went to the Sher seminar to learn more about IVF. When her name was called, Thomas knew right away that she had to give this incredible gift back. “In the car that night, I said: ‘I wonder if there is a way I can give my free cycle away?’ ” she says. And when she met with Sher, that is what they both agreed to do. “I was happy to give away the cycle to another struggling couple,” Thomas says. “Maybe my story could inspire them.”
“Food for the Soul” The McGeorges were in desperate need of inspiration. At 26, Jenn had just been given the horrific news that she would never give birth to her own genetic child. She was in the middle of an IVF cycle with Sher when the doctor delivered the news. He told her she had no follicles (early eggs) growing. She had gone from diminished ovarian reserve to www.davidlv.com | AUGUST 2015
52_56_think_Gift_of_Life.indd 53
53
7/23/15 9:32 AM