RESOLVE - You Are Not Alone

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW). This is something that has become very near and dear to my heart. The theme this year is "You Are Not Alone". I am participating in the Bloggers Unite Challenge to help spread the word and to show women that are battling this disease that they in fact are not alone.

Love this image that is on their site

From the beginning of our infertility journey, we knew that we couldn't do it alone. We slowly started to tell our family and close friends. It was embarrassing to me, knowing that my body couldn't do what it is supposed to. That every other woman in my life is able to do. It took me awhile but I finally realized that it wasn't my fault. It wasn't anything that I did.

I have had many people tell me that they wouldn't be able to be as strong as me if they were going through the same thing. The truth is I have no choice but to be strong. You have to fight for yourself, become an advocate for yourself, especially in the doctor's office. Because, at the end of the day only you know your body.

One of the things that has helped me so much is the local support group that I became a part of. We have a private social media group and about a year ago met face to face for the first time. Through this past year the women in this group have become some of my closest confidants. They just get it. Unless you have gone through infertility it is hard to explain. You just don't know the feelings, the havoc that it can wreak on your body let alone your mind. These women have been my saving grace and for that I am so very thankful. I am a true believer that God brings people in to your life at the right time. Even though I don't necessarily like the reason why we were brought together, I am so grateful to have them in my life.

Our meeting for the month of April

It has also been a huge relief for me to be public about our journey. Not only does it keep friends and family updated that don't live close, but it helps bring those awkward conversations to life. Things that most people would be scared or nervous to ask me about. Through my blog it gives a starting point. It also makes me feel not so alone. The encouragement that I have received from people is an amazing feeling. As well as the notes that I get that tell me that I have inspired them. It makes all of this worth it.

I want anyone to know that is suffering in silence through infertility that you are not alone. There is a huge community out there for you to lean on. And more than likely, someone that is sitting next to you at work, at church, etc. is probably suffering from infertility as well. 1 in 8 is more than likely someone that you know. No one with infertility should have to walk it alone.

I am also extremely grateful for my husband. He is there for me day in and day out. Always there to give me a hug or talk when I break out in tears for no reason or maybe a big reason. I always knew we were the right fit for each other, from the day that I met him. This journey has made us so much stronger as a couple and I couldn't image this struggle without him.

Biggest Group Yet!

We had another infertility support group meeting tonight. It was our biggest group yet, 8 people! It is such a blessing to have this support at this time in my life.

Great night at The Pressroom

They get what I am going through and always know the right things to say. I always look forward to our meetings and can't wait for the next one!

Coffee Date

We had another infertility support group meeting tonight. I LOVE these meetings with these wonderful ladies that are in my life.

They just get it. Period. They get the struggles, the heartache, the grieving and the loss. It is such a breath of fresh air each time that we get together and meet. We laugh, we cry and just let it all out.

This week we went to a local coffee bar/restaurant that is on our square, Pressroom.

Since we met around dinner time we all ended up eating and just chatting about where we are in our journey's. We also had a new girl that came, I am so glad she did!

I am so grateful to have met these women and to be a part of this group. I know that this is one of the silver linings to my infertility. If I wouldn't have to go through all of this I would have never have met them. 

And for that I am very grateful.

Painting With a Twist

We had our 3rd NWA Infertility Support group meeting last night. One of the suggestions when we met last time was to go to a local painting studio. You can go as a group and learn how to paint a picture. We all decided we would go to the "Funky Blues" session.

When signing up you can put in the comments who you want to sit with or what group you are with, so we were all put together.

It was a great atmosphere and vibe. A very eclectic range of music and a bar with wine and beer.

My place at the table

There were a couple of games that they play to break up the painting a bit and to keep it fun. One was a riddle/poem. For each thing you had it told you how many numbers to right down and the person with the highest number wins.

It started out with your color of hair, if you were wearing a sweater, etc. Then it went in to how many years you have been married, all the while you are tallying your points. I think we all kind of knew where it was going after that. The next one was however many girl kids you had you got so many points and boys were more points. I understand these are normal questions that people ask in life. Being infertile you learn to deal with it. But, that doesn't make it any easier. It was so nice to have the group all together at that moment. They understand the feelings when it comes to questions about how many kids you have. In the end we were all able to laugh about it.

Painting our masterpieces

The second game was much easier, guess how many corks are in a big glass bowl. I never win anything. And I WON!!! I was supposed to get a painting of my choice that was hanging on the wall but decided to just ask for a free t-shirt.

All in all it was an amazing night. I feel so understood with this group of women. I don't have to worry what I say that it will hurt someone's feelings. We just let it all out there. I am so thankful to have found this group and to have this kind of support through this journey.

I am a firm believer that people are put in your life for a reason. I may not know that reason now but am definitely counting my blessings.

The final result!

Support Group

We had our 2nd NWA Infertility Support Group meeting today. We met at a local coffee shop and the weather was gorgeous so we sat outside.

It is so amazing to be able to sit and talk with these women. They get me. They understand things that no one else can. I am so glad that I went to the first meeting and got connected with them.

It is also great to hear about different things others are doing, what doctors they use, what facilities around here will do. It has been a wealth of knowledge for me.

So thankful that this difficult situation of infertility has brought a positive light in to my life.

2nd NWA Infertility Support Group Meeting

Genetic Study, 6 years and Support

This week has been a crazy busy week! I can't believe that it is already Friday.

I haven't mentioned it yet, but I am part of a genetic study that a Women's Institute is doing out of Pittsburgh. They are doing the study on 1,200 people. It is only on women who suffer from POF, 1% of women in the world have it and there isn't that much research that has been done. There is no cure for it and the only fertility option is donor egg. The study is being done to see if there are any genetic links to what causes it or how someone gets it. There are some autoimmune diseases that they think cause it but once you are tested for that and it is negative, you get an answer of unknown. Which is what I was told.

I had to fill out a consent form and the history of my cycles, then have about a 15 minute phone conversation with one of the case workers. We went over my history and then family members history. After that they sent me 3 tubes for my blood that I was able to have drawn here. All I had to do was go to the doctor, have them draw it and then ship it back to Pittsburgh.

Blood draw for genetic testing

I have always said since my whole journey started that if I can help just one person through this in the future that would make me ecstatic. Although I probably won't see anything from this study that will pertain to me, it should be able to help future generations out and that means a lot to me.

Part of this testing is also that they are able to get my families DNA as well. Most importantly my immediate family, and then any of my aunts, uncles and first cousins. I asked for their help and have had an overwhelming response. I always knew I had an awesome family but this just proved it to me even more!

Tuesday we celebrated our anniversary. We went on our very first date 13 years ago and were married on that same day 6 years ago. It ended up being a great day. We were both working but made time to see each other for lunch and then went out on a romantic date for dinner. I have the most amazing husband, always my rock and my cheerleader. Sometimes I get down about our infertility journey and he is always there to lift me up. I really have been blessed by having him and his family in my life. I couldn't imagine my life without him in it.

Anniversary Dinner at Theo's Steakhouse

I have been part of an Infertility Support group since I found out about my diagnosis. It is a group on Facebook. It is private so the only people in it are people that are struggling with infertility that are in the area I live in. We talk about doctors, ask questions, etc. It has been very helpful. Since last week was National Infertility Awareness Week the administrator asked if we would be interested in having our first ever support group meeting face to face.

I was a little nervous at first. I haven't ever met anyone in the same position as me that is still struggling through it. I have talked to people I know that have been through it, but ended up having children. Just not the same thing as I am experiencing right now in my life. I wasn't going to go at first but then decided it would be good for me, and I am so glad that I did.

There were 4 of us that were there, we met at a local coffee shop that had a door that could be closed so we could talk about whatever we wanted. We were there about two hours and it was such a breath of fresh air. To actually talk to people that understand what I am thinking and going through with doctors. Fighting for your own health. So glad that I got to meet these wonderful ladies and can't wait for our next monthly meeting.

First ever NWA Infertility Support Group