We’ve noticed we’ve got quite a few new followers over the past few weeks so we just wanted so say hi, thank you and tell you a bit more about what we’re doing.
Lots of people ask us about the IVF, so here’s a little update. We need a special type of IVF which is called PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) with PTT (preimplantation tissue typing). This means we’ll go through the usual steps of IVF with some added extras, so that each embryo will be screened for Diamond Blackfan Anameia and also screened to determine their ’tissue type’ (special markers on cells called antigens). If the embryo doesn’t have DBA and is also a matching tissue type for Henry, it could be implanted in the hope of a pregnancy. After Baby Alderson no.2 is born, the umbilical cord would be saved and frozen instead of thrown away, then the stem cells would be taken from the cord and used to give Henry his stem cell transplant. This is all super complicated and takes a long time! It’s also very expensive, each cycle costs approximately £15k.
All of this means a special license has to be granted and there’s only a handful of places in the UK that are able to obtain this, so all of our treatment will be in London. Our first appointment is next month.
I will try and post updates of our IVF journey every day although Henry does keep me busy so bear with me! X
Henry's Little Heroes 