When they married nearly 20 years ago, Albright and his wife faced an uncertain future. "I was pretty up-front about it," he said. "If we could get five good years out of it, it would be great. I couldn't promise anything beyond that. But married couples tend to live longer - my goal is 70s."
The couple adopted three boys, including one with cystic fibrosis. Men who have the disease are born with a natural vasectomy, lacking the duct that carries sperm from the testes, but they can conceive with reproductive assistance.
Female patients can also conceive - but they must consider whether they can endure the rigors of pregnancy. And, like adult males with the disease, they must consider how long they'll be around for the children.
"The question isn't whether you can; it's whether it's right for you," said Boyle. "It's a hard question to ask of someone who's 28 years old and trying to live a normal life. We try to be supportive but help them be realistic."
Jeff Davis and his wife, Kim, had two in vitro babies - Gwynneth, 3, and Gunnar, who is 7 months old. Kim had genetic tests that determined she wasn't a carrier, so there was no chance the children would be afflicted.
They live in a simple split-level that overlooks a landscape of rolling hills dotted with horses. Life at home seems relaxed, despite the lingering knowledge that his health isn't assured.
"Is it going to be a couple of years, or 20 years?" Davis said. "Am I going to be there in their teenage years when they need me? Am I going to be there to guide them? Am I going to see [Gwynneth] get married?
"You have to take it all into consideration, but you can't let it rule your life."
jonathan.bor@baltsun.com
