While Whitney was in a state of utter disbelief, Jill said the decision was very easy for her.
"Whitney's disease has taken so much from her already and I wasn't about to let it take something else."
"It was an easy decision that I honestly didn't put much thought into," explained Jill. "Whitney's disease has taken so much from her already and I wasn't about to let it take something else. Being a surrogate allows me to give Whit something she's wanted: a family of her own. I get to reap the benefits by being an auntie again — my brother and step sister have children — and my parents get to add two more grandchildren to their growing number."
Despite her initial willingness to help, the road to getting pregnant was a long one for Jill. After her first round of IVF failed, Jill was left feeling like she had failed her sister.
"I felt I had let my sister and her husband Pete down," she said. "There had to be a tangible reason as to why the eggs didn't stick. I tried to be strong but my sister came over and gave me a hug, and I just melted into her and started crying. It was such a tough and somber day for all of us. Whit — true to form — was positive and sweet. She encouraged me and lifted me right back up and said, 'It's OK. If and when you are ready, let's try again.'"
