Small Miracles
The Banks Family
After 7 ½ years of infertility issues and numerous clinics, we were recommended to Hinsdale Center for Reproduction and Dr. Hickey. We were very cynical at this point because we had negative experiences not only in the disappointment of not getting pregnant, but with the clinics themselves. After 14 months of unsuccessful clomiphene cycles and 2 unsuccessful IUI’s, we were not hopeful.
In one meeting at HCR we were finally hopeful and felt apart of the process. After 1 unsuccessful IUI and a second Laparoscopy & Hysteroscopy we went forward with IVF. We now have a 6 year old son, Kyle, and a 2 ½ year old daughter, Annie, with our 3rd, through FET, on the way.
HCR was the first clinic that felt right, and made us feel apart of the process instead of a number. Dr. Hickey and the staff felt like a 2nd family and we are sad each pregnancy to leave and move on to our OB/GYN. We were definitely not their first patients and will not be their last, yet we felt their compassion and their hearts go into their work unlike anything we had experienced. 7 years later the staff remains almost unchanged in a small, warm environment. I thank God every day for Hinsdale Center for Reproduction and the entire staff, for if we had not gone to them, we would not have moved forward with our dream of having a family.
The Beyers Family
Our OB/GYN referred us to Dr. Hickey in 2010. We had no idea of the journey ahead of us, or how fortunate we were to have been introduced to Dr. Hickey and the team at HCR. What I loved about being a patient at HCR was that I felt that the attention I received was so personalized. There were times I wondered if I was a special case or some kind of VIP because the team was so attentive! Dr. Hickey and the staff helped us feel confident every step of the way, and helped us focus on the positive - even during our most difficult moments.
Ultimately Dr. Hickey recommended laparoscopic surgery, and I did not realize at the time that Dr. Hickey is actually the best in his field for this type of surgery. The surgery was extremely successful and we finally understood the issues that were causing our challenges along the way. The cycle immediately following surgery, our miracle happened and we saw the greatest thing ever - those two little heartbeats during our 6-week ultrasound. It was one of the most memorable days of our lives. In 2013 we welcomed our twin boys into the world!
We will always regard Dr. Hickey and the team at HCR as an extension of our family. We often say that we would not change a thing about the journey we took to start our family, and it would not have been such a positive and meaningful experience without the compassion and expertise of the whole team at HCR.
The Chmura Family
My husband and I spent a year with another clinic before coming to HCR. We came to HCR in 2011. We didn't know what we were missing. I emailed HCR and within 5 minutes I received a response and was in that week to meet with Dr. Hickey. I knew when I met Dr. Hickey that this experience was going to better then our last. He was very thorough with everything. We felt important in his office, we were not just a number and his staff was very friendly. Victoria helped make the process much easier then it is. After 2 failed IVF attempts at his office we were ready for a break, physically and emotionally we were spent. We met with Dr. Hickey one more time after our 2nd failed IVF attempt and he said he wanted to try a few things. Finally, maybe an answer to our infertility issues. I had a hysteroscopy done and then did a fresh IVF cycle and we were finally pregnant. Our son Lukas is 18 months old and is such a miracle to us. After Lukas was born we knew we didn't want to wait too long to try again. I ended up having to have another hysteroscopy done and went through a fresh cycle and we are now expecting twin girls!!!! We couldn't be happier. We owe so much to Dr. Hickey, Victoria and the rest of the staff. They have made our dreams come true!
The Cushman Family
It’s hard to know where to begin in our journey of trying to start a family, let alone choosing the right words to convey how truly grateful we are to Dr. Hickey and the entire staff at the Hinsdale Center for Reproduction. They are more than a group of doctors and nurses; they are an extension of our own family.
We had our initial consultation appointment with Dr. Hickey in late summer of 2009, and after some testing was conducted, it was determined that IVF was the route we needed to go. This was frightening news for us…and was certainly not part of our fairy tale that we had planned for our life together. Through every step of our journey though, both the ups and the downs, the entire staff of HCR was there for us with support and kindness. We never felt like “a number,” but rather they wanted us to get pregnant as much as we did. After several cycles, our prayers were answered, and we received that glorious Saturday afternoon phone call from the HCR office, confirming that we were in fact pregnant. A day my husband and I will never forget! Later on that same afternoon, we got a call from Dr. Hickey and another nurse at HCR extending their congratulations and excitement for us. While HCR was the only office we went to, I would guess that no other doctor or staff would celebrate on such a personal level with their patients as those at HCR. Our most perfect miracle, our daughter Alena, was born on April 12, 2012. There has not been one day that has passed since Alena’s birth that I don’t look at her in complete awe, so very thankful that she is ours. I know beyond any and all doubt that every step we took to get her was more than worth it. She has blessed our lives beyond our wildest imagination.
There were times in our journey that we felt tired, hopeless, and fearful that our dream of a family was not possible, but Dr. Hickey and his team continued to support us and keep our dream alive. We are forever grateful for your help, care, and commitment in making our dream come true.
The Douglas Family
We were recommended to the HCR by a coworker in 2005. After 2 1/2 years we were blessed with a baby boy. The people at the HCR were very supportive and never gave up hope. The staff's compassion, patience, and expertise gave us confidence each step of the way. Our son was born in August of 2008, and a year later we were surprised with a daughter.
We can't thank the Hinsdale Center for Reprodouction enough!
The Falconer Family
It is difficult to know where to begin in describing my journey with Hinsdale Center for Reproduction. My husband and I first met with Dr. Hickey in January of 2007. Our first little guy, Ian, was 18 months old and we were ready to add onto our family. From the moment we walked into the office we could tell that this was going to be a very different medical experience. We were instantly put at ease by the friendly demeanor of the staff. Dr. Hickey had cleared his schedule so he could sit down with us and extensively explain the reproductive and IVF process. He took the time to answer all of our questions and even did extensive research prior to our visit about our particular reproductive needs. You see, we had discovered when I was pregnant with Ian that both my husband and I were carriers of the devastating disease Cystic Fibrosis and had a 1 in 4 chance that our baby would be born with this condition. We were very fortunate - Ian was healthy. We did not want to risk the health of our next child so we turned to the Hinsdale Center for Reproduction for help. My husband had done research and discovered that through IVF it was possible to do genetic testing to ensure that only embryos that were free from the Cystic Fibrosis gene mutation would be utilized.
As we started the IVF process I was impressed over and over again by the nurturing way Dr. Hickey and his staff took care of their patients. Every time I came to the office I felt like a member of the family. I was treated with respect, genuine affection, and sensitivity. As a nurse myself I recognized the rarity of this type of personal care. Within a few days of becoming their patient the staff knew more than just my name. They recognized my voice on the phone. They knew where I worked and my schedule. They knew all about Ian – even remembering his special stuffed dog’s name and his favorite flavor of lollipop! I never hesitated to call with questions or to stop in for advice. Each concern was immediately and patiently addressed. Dr. Hickey and his staff were there to cheer me on when things were going well and were quick with hugs during times of disappointment.
I believe Dr. Hickey and his staff most truly exemplified their compassion and concern when I experienced a miscarriage at 10 weeks gestation. The outpouring of support and sympathy was overwhelming. Dr. Hickey himself noticed that I was shutting down emotionally and encouraged my husband to help me to talk through my feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration so I could grief and move past the setback. In the end I was blessed with a beautiful and sweet baby boy named Braden. He is now 16-months old and each day I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this special gift. It has been nearly two years since I was officially a patient at Hinsdale Center for Reproduction but even now I can call and have my voice recognized. After all this time the staff still ask about Ian and his big dog or how my work is going and marvel about how much Ian and Braden have grown. I will always consider them part of my family and they will forever hold a special place in my heart.
The Kilinskis Family
We were very fortunate to be referred to Dr. Hickey through my OB/GYN. We have since heard stories from friends about other IVF facilities whose experiences did not compare to the sincerity and professionalism of everyone at HRC. It was a long journey to conceive our daughter, but when we were faced with failed attempts the staff was sympathetic and gave us realistic hope. They were truly dedicated to helping us start a family.
One of the best things I like about the office is when calling there an actual person answers the phone instead of a recording. I never felt like just another case. That kind of one-on-one interaction is unique to doctors’ offices these days. We never felt as though we were going through this highly emotional journey alone.
The day I received the phone call that we were successful was one of the happiest days of our lives. In January of 2010, we were blessed with our first child. We owe a great deal of thanks to Dr. Hickey and his entire staff for their efforts and support in helping us attain this incredible gift. We are forever grateful!
The Martyka Family
We were very fortunate to be referred to Dr Hickey and the Hinsdale Center for Reproduction team by two valued physicians. Both told us that Dr. Hickey was "expert in his field and a very kind man". We found both to be true. Dr. Hickey and the entire HCR team was as invested in our dreams of having a family as we were. They were with us every step of the way to comfort us when the news was not what we wanted to hear and to celebrate with us when we heard the news we had always dreamed of. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hickey and the HCR for their care, compassion, and commitment to helping us achieve our family.
The Post Family
Our journey was a long one but worth it……We had SEVEN failed attempts at artificial insemination with other specialists. We were discouraged, emotionally drained and gave up all hope of having any children. My sister referred me to Hinsdale Center for Reproduction after our 7th failed attempt. Though we were skeptical at first and didn’t want to go through it all over again, we figured a meeting couldn’t hurt anything. Dr. Hickey’s knowledge and hands-on approach was so unique and so different than what we had been through, we proceeded with our eighth AND FINAL attempt at artificial insemination !! We were blessed with our son Charlie in May 2005.
We are so grateful to Dr. Hickey and his staff for so many reasons. They are a warm, loving and caring group of individuals that work well together. We never once felt like just a number when we walked in the door at HCR. Their hands-on approach is like nothing we experienced or heard from others that went through the same situation we did.
Each and every one of the staff should be proud of what they do day after day and what joy they have brought to people’s lives. I said to Dr. Hickey and Ann at this year’s picnic that everyone there was because of them. Plain and simple.
Greg and I can’t say it enough to each of you……thank you!!!
The Price Family
We want you to know how special you have made 2009 for us. After 6 long years of trying to grow our family, we finally have our Miracle Baby Benjamin! After a horrible year at another clinic we received a referral from a friend to come see your office. You and your staff were always there for us. You helped make the road of infertility feel like a short path on the wonderful journey to parenthood. Now that Benjamin is in our lives, I know that journey was worth every single heartbreaking step. We couldn't have done it without your help. For that we will always be grateful. Your staff was always there with smiling faces and made our questions and concerns seem relavant even when I was being a little crazy (ok maybe a lot). Your office was always patient with us and we never felt pressured to take the next step before we were ready. Had I know how much easier IVF was then the multiple IUI's we probably would have tried it sooner. We have a perfect son and can't wait to come back when the time is right to try for baby #2 and #3. You have changed our lives forever and we can't thank you enough.
We’re here to help you.
For more information, call Hinsdale Center for Reproduction: 630-856-3535