It has been a while – 6 months to be exact – since I last brought
up my struggles with secondary infertility.
The fact of the matter is, I needed a break, and I guess you can say I
gave up. Anyone struggling with
infertility of any kind can tell you that it’s not easy, and it takes a toll on
you. It’s even harder when you don’t
have a large support system. I had to
take a break before I lost my sanity and myself, and focus on the things that were
taking place currently in my life. And a
lot of good things took place within these last six months, too!
In the last 6 months I’ve…
- Become a homeowner
- Became a licensed driver
- Bought a car
- Took a well-needed vacation with my husband
Even though it’s been nearly two years of us “trying” with
not one successful pregnancy, we do have a lot to be thankful for.
not one successful pregnancy, we do have a lot to be thankful for.
Speaking of being thankful, when I was writing about my
trying to conceive struggles, you may have noticed my reference to an amazing
organization called RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. They’re a great resource for those dealing
with the disease of infertility, and for those who have family or friends
struggling with the disease to educate themselves on it.
trying to conceive struggles, you may have noticed my reference to an amazing
organization called RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. They’re a great resource for those dealing
with the disease of infertility, and for those who have family or friends
struggling with the disease to educate themselves on it.
Since October, RESOLVE along with other infertility supporters
have been counting down the days until #GivingTuesday,
which takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (December 2nd)
with monthly themes, in order to create a national movement around the holidays
dedicated to giving. Think of #GivingTuesday
as you would Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and how those days have become synonymous
with holiday shopping. October’s theme was “RESOLVE to Give Voice”,
November’s theme is “RESOLVE to Give Thanks”, and December’s is “RESOLVE to Give
Hope”.
have been counting down the days until #GivingTuesday,
which takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (December 2nd)
with monthly themes, in order to create a national movement around the holidays
dedicated to giving. Think of #GivingTuesday
as you would Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and how those days have become synonymous
with holiday shopping. October’s theme was “RESOLVE to Give Voice”,
November’s theme is “RESOLVE to Give Thanks”, and December’s is “RESOLVE to Give
Hope”.
In the spirit of giving thanks, and to participate in RESOLVES
#GivingTuesday campaign, I’ll share some things, in addition to the ones
mentioned above, that I’m thankful for.
#GivingTuesday campaign, I’ll share some things, in addition to the ones
mentioned above, that I’m thankful for.
I’m Thankful for my Experience.
Over the last 4 years struggling with infertility has
prepared me for my journey the second time around. Because of it I knew when it was time to stop
and take a break before it all became too much to handle.
prepared me for my journey the second time around. Because of it I knew when it was time to stop
and take a break before it all became too much to handle.
I’m Thankful for my Husband.
He’s supported me throughout this struggle, and has been
there every single step of the way, and endured my many moods and
breakdowns. I’m still sticking to “Clomid
made me do it.”
there every single step of the way, and endured my many moods and
breakdowns. I’m still sticking to “Clomid
made me do it.”
I’m Thankful for Hope.
After nearly two years of trying for our second, I now
consider our daughter our “miracle baby” because she was conceived without any
medical interventions, was full-term, and healthy. And although my history says getting and
staying pregnant is not easy, seeing her reminds me there’s still hope. Plus, my new OB is much more supportive,
knowledgeable on the issue, and already works closely with my RE’s.
consider our daughter our “miracle baby” because she was conceived without any
medical interventions, was full-term, and healthy. And although my history says getting and
staying pregnant is not easy, seeing her reminds me there’s still hope. Plus, my new OB is much more supportive,
knowledgeable on the issue, and already works closely with my RE’s.
I’m Thankful for Health Insurance.
My health insurance covers IVF and injectable meds. 6
months ago was my last attempt at pregnancy with Clomid and IUI’s; therefore,
my next step is IVF. One IVF cycle can
cost up to $15,000! And guess what? Not every person gets pregnant on their
first round, so that means tens of thousands of dollars goes towards the
unknown, and some people, unfortunately, have to come out of pocket. I’m definitely thankful I am not in that
group, especially since we have new financial responsibilities; however, you may donate to RESOLVE to support those who are less fortunate in this instance.
months ago was my last attempt at pregnancy with Clomid and IUI’s; therefore,
my next step is IVF. One IVF cycle can
cost up to $15,000! And guess what? Not every person gets pregnant on their
first round, so that means tens of thousands of dollars goes towards the
unknown, and some people, unfortunately, have to come out of pocket. I’m definitely thankful I am not in that
group, especially since we have new financial responsibilities; however, you may donate to RESOLVE to support those who are less fortunate in this instance.
I’m Thankful for our New Home.
Our home is in close proximity to our RE’s office, and
closer to my husband’s place of work, which is also close to my new
OB/GYN. All of those things close by
takes away the stresses of travel and time when going back and forth between
doctor appointments. Lord knows, travelling to our RE’s office during the early
morning hours for IUI’s were not fun, and neither were the weekly
appointments. The proximity of each will
make everything much smoother this time around.
closer to my husband’s place of work, which is also close to my new
OB/GYN. All of those things close by
takes away the stresses of travel and time when going back and forth between
doctor appointments. Lord knows, travelling to our RE’s office during the early
morning hours for IUI’s were not fun, and neither were the weekly
appointments. The proximity of each will
make everything much smoother this time around.
I’m Thankful for RESOLVE.
This organization serves as a resource for education,
support, and allows individuals suffering from infertility to not have to do it
in silence.
support, and allows individuals suffering from infertility to not have to do it
in silence.
About RESOLVE:
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, established
in 1974, is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide
network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to
all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other
reproductive disorders. RESOLVE improves the lives of women and men living with
infertility.
in 1974, is a non-profit organization with the only established, nationwide
network mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal access to
all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility or other
reproductive disorders. RESOLVE improves the lives of women and men living with
infertility.
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving season?
This is your opportunity to express your gratitude.
