From Cecily

Dr. Sahakian and Your Fabulous Staff at Pacific Fertility Center,
From Cecily Harrison and Daughter Arabella
My Success Story
I knew I would be a mother, I just didn’t know it would take so long. By the time I found my way to Pacific Fertility Center, I was 43 and had just ended a long-term relationship. Dr. Sahakian and I first spoke on the phone-he called at exactly the time that was scheduled, and he spoke to me as if I was his only patient-every question was answered calmly, informatively, and compassionately.
When I met him in his office, I liked him immediately, and was impressed that he spoke five languages, like some kind of global fertility guru! He told me we would be aggressive, and that although there was a possibility I might have multiples, I would be the first in his experience at my age to  have more than two.
I gave myself injections twice a day-this from a person who once fainted at the sight of needles! By this time of my retrieval, my body was poked and  bruised, and my ovaries ached, but when the ultrasound showed six good follicles-five on the left, and one on the right-I was on a cloud.
When I came into the office for the transfer, one of nurses asked, “Where’s your husband?” “I’m sure he’s out there  somewhere, “I said, and we laughed. She kept apologizing, but it didn’t bother me in the  slightest. I knew what I was doing was bold, but I had run out of time waiting for the  lover who also wants to be a father, and was very confident in my decision. Dr. Sahakian retrieved 5 eggs, four of which fertilized and made very good  quality embryos. “I hadn’t expected these kinds of results,” he said, adding that my chances were now 35%. I made an appointment for an adoption seminar the week of my pregnancy results, and bought three home tests as I got close. Two lines. Pink. Blue. All positive, and on my 44th birthday. Imagine my jubilance to cancel the seminar!
On December 2, at 2:00, thirty-six hours, two birthing room, two nurse shift  changes, and two anesthesiologists later, I looked into my daughter’s eyes. Nothing can prepare you. A lifetime of waiting, satisfied in a moment. Every heightened sense, beauty, brilliant idea or prose, it was all there, as Arabella stared back at me, her eyes pinched as if to say, “What kept you.” My best friend cut the cord. I will have no difficulty telling my daughter how much she was wanted, and I can prove it because I  keep journals, and letter to the daughter I knew I would have one day.
I will tell her how I toured the world, in cars, subways, and taxis, dreaming of her, how I named her, and held her in the mother’s arms of my mind. I will respect the miracle that she is, and tell her things as they become apparent and appropriate, and I will love her to the heavens and more.

Thank you, Dr. Sahakian, and all the wonderful staff at Pacific Fertility Center, for helping me bring my daughter, Arabella Grace, into the world.