The Forward Fight

Amanda once believed starting a family with her husband would happen the “traditional” way. But when pregnancy didn’t come easily, they turned to fertility specialists for answers — only for their journey to take an unexpected and devastating turn. Days before their first appointment, Amanda was hospitalized with severe pain and doctors discovered large ovarian masses, beginning years of surgeries, fertility treatments, failed embryo transfers, and unimaginable uncertainty.

Eventually, Amanda was diagnosed with stage zero ovarian cancer, leading to a hysterectomy and the loss of her ability to carry a pregnancy. Surrogacy became another hopeful path, but that too ended in heartbreak. Five years later, Amanda describes her journey not only by its grief, but by the resilience, love, and hope that carried her through it.

One of the hardest parts of infertility, Amanda says, is how isolating it can feel. What helped her most was realizing she wasn’t alone. Sharing her story with friends, family, and even online created connection, support, and a sense of community during some of her darkest moments. But she’s also quick to remind others that no one owes the world their story — healing can come through openness or privacy, and both are valid.

Amanda also speaks candidly about the toll fertility struggles took on her mental health. She became consumed by trying to get pregnant and lost sight of her own well-being along the way. Therapy ultimately became one of the most important parts of her healing, and she now encourages others to prioritize emotional health just as much as physical treatment. Her biggest advice: don’t lose yourself in the process. Your worth, your health, and your life matter far beyond any outcome.

For loved ones wanting to support someone facing infertility, Amanda believes the smallest shifts can matter most: stop asking when someone will have children, continue inviting them even when they pull away, and remember that parenthood is not the only measure of a meaningful life.

Through years of heartbreak, healing, and unwavering hope, Amanda and her husband continued moving forward — even when the path looked nothing like they had imagined. And in the end, through the joys of adoption, they welcomed their daughter, Sunny, a beautiful light at the end of their tunnel and a reminder that even the longest of journeys can still lead to something extraordinary.