Transcription:

Deborah Howell: So we usually speak with physicians and staff at Deaconess on this podcast. But this month, we're grateful to hear stories and experiences from some of our Deaconess patients. Today, as part of a five part series, we'll go behind the scenes with one member of our Boston IVF family, and hear about her journey as an IVF patient.

This is the podcast series from Deaconess the Women's Hospital, a place for all your life. I'm Deborah Howell. And our guest today is Jordana Fowler, a patient of Boston IVF at the Women's Hospital. Welcome, Jordana.

Jordana Fowler: Hello, thank you for having me.

Deborah Howell: Oh, it's such a pleasure. I cannot wait to hear all about it. Listen, let's start from the beginning. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to learn about Boston IVF at the Women's Hospital?

Jordana Fowler: Well, me and my husband had been trying for around two years to get pregnant. And we did like the regular testing and stuff with our OB and discovered there were more issues than what he once thought. So he was going to refer us to a fertility specialist and I had actually been talking to one of my friends who just lives close by. And she was starting her fertility treatments around the same time. And she was actually the one who recommended me to go to Boston IVF because my doctor was actually going to send me to someone in St. Louis.

Deborah Howell: Oh, wow.

Jordana Fowler: Thankfully, I talked to her

Deborah Howell: Thankfully. And what a pleasure to have a buddy to kind of go through it with together.

Jordana Fowler: I know. We actually had several, I mean, not that it's good other people go through it, but it was actually pretty nice to have several of us all to talk to and stuff.

Deborah Howell: Oh, that's so great. Now, can you explain your fertility journey in just a little bit more detail? We'd love to hear your story.

Jordana Fowler: Yes. So like I said, we tried around two years and then did everything, you know, the ovulation test, the temp checking, everything possible that I thought I could do. And we finally went to the OB, you know, because it didn't happen. And he did his routine test and stuff and then found in an ultrasound that I had a dermoid cyst on my ovaries. So he scheduled a surgery to take those cyst out. And then, it was during that surgery that he found I had endometriosis and it was also in my fallopian tubes, which was causing them to be blocked. And he tried to open them up the best that he could. But he said he would refer us to a fertility specialist from there, which is where we went after that.

Deborah Howell: Wow. You know, it's a mental thing and it's also a physical thing. You know, you think, "Why can't I do this thing that billions of other women just so easily do," right?

Jordana Fowler: Oh yes, exactly. Everyone else, yes, it happen so easy and I did everything in my power and I was about to lose my mind, yeah.

Deborah Howell: Right. That's right. So, can you share the actual outcome of your experience?

Jordana Fowler: Yes. So we were actually very fortunate. We had a successful first round of the egg retrieval and the fertilization and everything in 2015. And then, we got pregnant right away with our first transfer with our first daughter, Nora. And then, we had several embryos that we froze to use in the future. It's funny because Dr. Griffin knew from the very first time that I met him, that I wanted all the babies I possibly could. I mean, I told him I wanted in me and all that I could. And I think he always remembered that, which he might have thought I was kidding a little bit, but we ended up going back and trying for baby number two, when I still had a baby on my hip, because Nora was maybe like six or seven months old. I'm not even sure, because I got pregnant around when she was 10 months old. So we had a failed frozen transfer. And then we tried again, like the next month and ended up getting pregnant with that transfer with our second daughter, Charlotte. So we had two girls, 19 months apart in age. And I still had to have all the babies that I possibly could, so we went back again when my middle one was around one, I believe. waited a little bit longer, but not much. And then I believe, if I can remember right, we did one transfer and got pregnant right away from that one and had our third daughter, Iris, right before my second one turned two. So we had three girls in about three and a half years. So we did try for a fourth and final baby hoping for a boy for my husband's sake, but that did not work out. But we were very, very fortunate and blessed. We had three healthy babies through IVF.

Deborah Howell: Just amazing. Just amazing. And to think 50 years ago, you wouldn't have had any probably.

Jordana Fowler: I know. Yes, thankful for technology and everything else.

Deborah Howell: And how did you find the experience? Was it a welcoming and warm atmosphere?

Jordana Fowler: Oh, yes. It was wonderful. I mean, the situation, of course, it was not that I wanted that situation, I guess I should say, but just everything, the entire experience was wonderful from the start to the finish. I mean, everyone there was just wonderful and helpful and reassuring. And when you thought you were going crazy, they helped you, you know, talk you through all of it. And I mean, you know, when you were emotional, they were wonderful for that also. It was wonderful for all of it.

Deborah Howell: It just sounds like they really understood you. They heard you.

Jordana Fowler: They did. Yes.

Deborah Howell: And they made your dreams come true.

Jordana Fowler: They did, yes. Three different times. So yeah, they were wonderful.

Deborah Howell: If you could describe your experiences with the services provided by the Women's Hospital in one word, what would you say?

Jordana Fowler: One word is very hard. The whole place, the staff, everything, they're so special to us. If I had to think of one word, I would say compassionate and I've thought like, I mean, I've tried to think of this before, like, you know, the best way to describe this place. So I've been a patient there since just shortly after they opened, because I think they opened around like 2014 or 2015, I can't remember for sure. So I've known them for the seven years that I was a patient there. And they don't just see their patients as like a number or just, you know, the file. I mean, they know you by the name and you're important to them and I always felt that way with everyone from the minute I walked into the door at the front desk or if I was dealing with the billing people or the nurses or the doctor. I mean, all of them were just so compassionate from the time, you know, you walked in until the time you left, even when you called and asked them a million questions on the phone. I mean, everyone was so wonderful and caring and you just really felt like they actually cared. You know, they weren't just there just to make money or anything. You know, they were there to actually help people fulfill their dreams and they were very compassionate.

Deborah Howell: I got to think it's one of the best jobs in the world to help people do that.

Jordana Fowler: Yes. And I think I actually asked him that. Like one of the first times I met him, Dr. Griffin, I was like, you know, "Why is this what you picked?" And I think that was something along the lines of what he said, you know? And I don't remember his exact words, but that is probably one of the most rewarding things, because those people, people like myself were very, very, very, just eager and dying to get that baby. And when they can do it, you know, it's wonderful.

Deborah Howell: When miracles meet medicine, you know, it's a family thing that happens.

Jordana Fowler: Yes.

Deborah Howell: Well, any shout outs you'd like to give to anyone besides Dr. Griffin at Boston IVF?

Jordana Fowler: Oh, goodness. Well, I could sit here name a bunch of them. There was a few that were there from the very beginning and then all the way up through our third baby. Missy was one of them. She was always there and I always hoped she would be there anytime I had an appointment, because I always just loved her. Amanda was one of the nurses I had for my first, but then she was gone for my second. And then, so she was back for my third and when I walked in and I'd seen her, I was so just, you know, when you see a familiar face, just relieved and I was very thankful she was there because she was wonderful. And then Marcy was just fantastic also. I called her all the time at the front desk and she answered all my questions, even though I probably drove them all half crazy, because I was calling all the time as I'm sure everyone does, because there's so many questions you have. And then, Lexi was also very, very, very sweet. And of course, Dr. Griffin, I mean, he is a godsend and we're very thankful for him, because he helped us have the family that we have now.

Deborah Howell: I just have to say ,Jordana, three girls in such quick succession, plus all the things you need to go through with IVF, you are one strong woman.

Jordana Fowler: Oh, you know, I, every time I thought, "Maybe this will be the boy, maybe this will be the boy." But now, I really can't see myself with, you know, anything but girls. Yes and they're so fun close in age. There's days I want to pull my hair out. But at the end of the day, I mean, they're a blessing and I'm very, very, very fortunate for them and for medicine, you know, and the doctors and helping create them.

Deborah Howell: Yeah. I come from a family of three girls as well. We did not get our boy either. But my dad says, "You know what? That makes me a specialist in girls."

Jordana Fowler: I know. Yes. And yeah, that's what I always told my husband. I said, "One of these days you will have four women to take care of you." And I think that's why I hoped for that boy, so I'd have one to take care of me, because they always say boys are the mama's boys and my girls want their dad more so, but that is fine. And I always actually joked with Dr. Griffin there towards when our last transfer ended and it wasn't a success and stuff, I had told him I said, "I'm upset that I'm going to be done with all of you guys, because after all these years, you know, I've gotten attached." And every now and then, me and my husband kind of joke, well, maybe, which I don't think so, but I always joke and I always say, "Well, I'm pretty sure Dr. Griffin would not be surprised if he came into work and see my name on his schedule," because I think he always will know that I would take all that I possibly could. But yes, we are very, very fortunate.

Deborah Howell: That just says it all right there. Such a heartwarming story. Thank you so much for being with us today to talk about your journey.

Jordana Fowler: Oh, thank you very much for having me. It was a pleasure.

Deborah Howell: And for more information about Boston IVF at the Women's Hospital, visit www.deacons.com/bivf. And that wraps up this episode of the podcast series from Deaconess The Women's Hospital, a place for all your life. Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast and all the other Deaconess Women's Hospital podcasts. For more health tips and updates, follow us on your social channels. This is the Women's Hospital, a place for all your life. I'm Deborah Howell. Thanks for listening and have yourself a great day.