At 31, Melissa was a role model for people around her, as the strength she had shown all these years was immense. At a very young age, several titles were attached to her, from being an Eno warrior to an infertility survivor. However, it was not just about her health; she was a fantastic wife and a mother, and her passion for writing also gave her the title of an author.
Melissa’s battle began when she was 12, and everything was chaotic for her until she was 22. Constant stomach aches that became unbearable on some days, medical tests that showed no improvement, and finally, the word endometriosis gave all the pain a name. The condition left undiagnosed made things bad for her, as when they finally gave the diagnosis, it was revealed that Melissa was already on stage four of the disease. Who could question the doctors, Medication, or herself? Not just this, to get a proper diagnosis, Melissa has to go through a painful 5-hour surgery, and so, with that, she prepares herself to fight the road ahead.
One that was filled with loneliness, heartbreak, and a bunch of failed treatments.
But when God gives you pain and heartbreak, he plans to mend it all. For Melissa, recovery came from a guy she met in college. They started being friends, and looking at how special the bond was, Melissa was asked out in 2014. By 2016, Melissa knew her life needed a significant change, so she told Chris how she wanted to get married and start a family. What she was not aware of was the complications that she would encounter ahead.
For an entire year, the couple kept trying naturally; however, when there were no signs of conceiving a baby, they eventually switched to Medication, and nothing worked! It was because of Melissa’s conditions, however, that the couple opted for IUI, which failed, and eventually, the last option was to get IVF. Three years later, the painful process of getting IVF began. All the couple could do was pray to get positive results, which they did; however, this time it ended up being an ectopic pregnancy. Due to the pregnancy, Melissa had to go through an emergency surgery to have both of her fallopian tubes removed.
The urge and wish to start a family were so real that Melissa was still not ready to give up on her dream, so she opted to get a second transfer. Sometimes humans have no control over whatever happens in their lives, and so, this time it resulted in a chemical miscarriage. The grief of losing two babies, who were angels for the couple, was too much to cope with; however, the parents chose to honour their lives through special meals on their due dates.
The couple had one last chance; the last embryo was left. On March 24, the couple’s last hope was transferred, with silent prayers said wholeheartedly and a heart full of dreams they wanted to fulfill for the baby. In December 2020, God finally heard their prayers. Chris and Melissa welcomed their daughter, Jayda Marcy, who weighed eight pounds and was a healthy, beautiful baby. She showed how faith can make dreams that initially seem impossible come true. It taught them compassion, and they saw what love looked like in the form of a sweet little angel.
Having a beautiful little family has been Melissa’s greatest gift and a source of pure joy. From witnessing her first roll to hearing Jayda call her ‘Mom’ for the first time, the journey has been exactly how she dreamed it would be. Melissa, through he journey, now knows how important it is to cherish all the little moments and find beauty in everything life holds for you.
During her pregnancy, Melissa wrote down all that she felt and how the devastation of loss, her battle with infertility, and her choice not to give up became her reason for strength. She also wished that no woman would go through this trauma. Melissa named the Memoir, ‘Fight Faithfully: The strength it takes to keep fighting when no one can see your pain.’
Her baby and partners remind her why it was all worth it, and she wants to ensure everyone around her feels seen and heard.
