How Erin Andrews' Cancer and Fertility Journey Changed Her Relationship With Husband Jarret Stoll

Erin Andrews knows firsthand the power of a strong squad. 

Because every time the NFL sportscaster suits up for a new battle—whether it was the two surgeries she had to undergo after a 2017 cervical cancer diagnosis or one of the grueling nine rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF) she experienced—she knows her guy Jarret Stoll has her back.  

"My husband was so amazing about learning about my cancer," she told E! News in an exclusive interview. "He was so amazing about supporting me any way he could with either the shots, the transfers, the retrievals. Not a lot of guys understand all that." 

And when the emotional toll of so many failed attempts led them down the surrogacy path, "He just was so open, accepting and willing to listen," Andrews said of the retired NHL centre, who remains tight with the surrogate who carried their now 12-month-old son Mack.

"I think as women, we are already judging ourselves because we can't carry the baby because, 'Why did this happen to me? I feel like he's going to look at me a certain way,'" Andrews continued. "My husband was the complete opposite of that. He was my biggest cheerleader, and I firmly believe our relationship got stronger and better because of it."

First, though, they had to tackle some tough moments. 

Take the misconception that IVF is a no-fail fix when it comes to building a family. Or that prospective parents choose to pursue surrogacy to skip out on the harder bits of pregnancy.

"Sometimes people think you're doing it because it's the easiest way to have a baby and it's the absolute opposite," noted Andrews. "It's the hardest and probably the cruelest journey you could go through." 

As for the cancer battle she fought, "It was the worst because I couldn't carry my baby," said the 46-year-old, who hosts the Calm Down with Erin and Charissa podcast alongside fellow sportscaster Charissa Thompson. "But it was the best because it made me an advocate for infertility, for surrogacy. It led us to our surrogate, who's our angel. Mack, we were able to have him that way, obviously. So there's a dark side and a really great side to it, too." 

As for Mack, who recently celebrated his first birthday ("Shocker, it's probably going to be a sports theme," Andrews joked to E! in May), he was worth every audible they had to call along the way. 

"He is a wild child that has just got a lot to say and he is busy," the Fox Sports standout raved. "We were supposed to have this baby."

Even his older, furrier brother would agree. 

Though Andrews noted golden retriever Howie ate up every bit of his day on set away from Mack filming Purina Pro Plan's new Fueled By docuseries highlighting sports personalities and their dogs, the pup has grown to accept his new teammate. 

"Mack and Howie have really started to gel," she acknowledged. "Howie isn't as jealous that he's now sharing his home."

And with their locker room at peace, the WEAR by Erin Andrews founder is excited about notching more wins in the future. 

"Look, I love football, I love being a mom," she explained. But if there's one endzone she's marching toward, "I think Calm Down should be a morning show or an afternoon show," said Andrews. "That's where I see myself." 

And for those on their own fertility journey looking for advice, huddle up. 

"It's going to work out," Andrews insisted. "It is. I get DMs all the time from women that are struggling. A woman who had interviewed me had a really hard time getting pregnant, and she would text me and just say, 'I have to go to another baby shower and I don't want to.' She just texted me and said, 'I'm pregnant.' And I said, 'I told you it's going to work.' But you don't believe it when you're in. It's going to work. So you just have to believe that." 

And she's not the only star to have grown her squad with the help of a surrogate. See who else has opened up about their journey to becoming a parent. 

—Reporting by Nikaline McCarley.

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The legendary British singer and hubby David Furnish welcomed sons Zachary and Elijah via surrogate in 2010 and 2013, respectively. 

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The Grey's Anatomy star and husband Chris Ivery revealed in 2014 they recently welcomed daughter Sienna via surrogate. The actress gave birth to their first child, daughter Stella, in 2009, and the couple welcomed a third child, son Eli, in 2016.

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