Angels
In 1998 I moved to Canada from China and met Peter soon after. Peter had wanted to start a family but I was not ready for a child as I was busy focusing on my career goals and wanted to wait until I finished obtaining my Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation. In December 2001, Peter was diagnosed with cancer following months of ill health. We were referred to Dr. Greene at the Regional Fertility Program (RFP) prior to Peter starting chemotherapy, as we wanted to bank his sperm in the hopes of starting our family one day.
Peter's cancer was so far advanced by the time it was detected and he passed away four months later in April 2002. Knowing how much Peter wanted a family, my final promise to him was to have our child after he was gone - I felt I owed him that much. Following Peter's death I was devastated and I returned to the RFP only to be told by Dr. Greene that I was not in a position to make a rational decision and to return six months later. I went home to China for a few months but returned to Canada still determined to carry through on our plans.
In December 2002, I completed In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). It was recommended that I only transfer one embryo but I could not bear the thought of having to repeat the cycle all over again, so in an effort to increase my odds, two embryos were transferred. Soon after I learned that I was having twins, only to be informed later that one of the embryos had split and I was pregnant with triplets.
Thanks to the tremendous support and help from the doctors and nurses at the RFP clinic and Foothills Hospital, on August 5, 2003, I gave birth to three beautiful girls following a difficult pregnancy - Francesca, Petrina and Jeanette. The first few years were extremely difficult and we moved back to China for a year, as my family could provide assistance when the girls were so young. I wanted to raise my children in Canada and it is only through the never-ending support of two guardian angels, Ingrid McCord and Ronald Allen, who were employers but became my dear friends that I have been able to stay in Canada and make a good life for my girls and myself. Ingrid has been by my side throughout my journey and has become an integral part of our lives. Having the girls has enriched my life and brings back the happy memories of Peter. The girls are a great inspiration in all our lives. They make me very proud to be a mom.
