My journey started in August 2020, when I lost my mother to an aggressive cancer. In loss, I saw my path forward and decided to finally do what she always wished for me: in the same month that she passed, I got married and started trying to get pregnant.

After a devastating miscarriage (which I can now see as a blessing), I gave birth to my son, Aria.

At 38 weeks, Aria was diagnosed with an extremely rare brain condition. We changed our birth plans, flew to Boston, and a week after diagnosis, he was born under the care of the experts at Boston Children’s Hospital. At five months, we traveled back to Boston for a necessary surgery. During the seven-hour operation and the 18 hours that followed (Aria was sedated with a breathing tube to support his small frame), we breathed, prayed, and sent all our energy to our son. To say we’re thankful is an understatement. He did exceptionally well, and I write this with him playing at my side.

As a business owner and the mother of an infant, I was tested repeatedly. I did my best to create boundaries while also trying to set a good example for my employees. It was anything but easy, but it was all so worth it.

Even more than before, I have so much compassion for parents who are going through all of it - no matter what “it” is.

So much! Today, Aria is 13 months old and enjoying daycare. I’m fully back into the swing of work, and fulfilled. While it’s been a wild journey with more twists and turns than I knew possible, I wouldn’t change a thing. Rumi said, “If everything around you seems dark, look again, you may be the light.” I take these challenging times, recognize their invaluable lessons, and use them to bring healing to those around me.

I envision The Den as an essential haven for connection and support through the hard times.

It’s also a place for us to celebrate, laugh and connect. As a doctor, I’m excited to educate and support women through fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum challenges.