Happenings

Happy May everyone! Ok I totally went off the radar for a few weeks but wanted to give a quick update on what I’ve been up to and why the blogging break…

I’ve been up to a lot of this…

And this…

And hanging with lovely people…

Blogging has been kind of getting put on the back burner while things work themselves out in my life. I’ve been working on a lot of freelance projects officially kicking off wedding season and have been busy enjoying planning my friend’s bridal shower and bachelorette party as well as playoff hockey that’s been filling up our weekends. With warmer (some days) weather, we’ve been enjoying the outdoors, taking lots of walks, I’ve done a jog or two and we got our bikes out and ready for summertime!

All of these things have been my focus in the last few weeks as I anxiously awaited our last round of Clomid. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out for us.

So our plan after this round if I wasn’t pregnant was to try Femara. I was feeling very hopeful for this plan and it made the outcome a little easier to handle. Until my Dr. phoned with a new plan…doesn’t he know that’s not allowed in my life!?

After 4 rounds of Clomid, he felt a break from the meds would be good to settle things down, give my body a break, and get rid of any cysts that may have formed. Also, the last ultrasound my ovaries were enlarged and so that would get them back to normal. A break meant going on the birth control pill and then doing a 5^th round of Clomid; but I was not ok with this…

I turned to a few lovely ladies who made me realize some other options I have and with the help from David and my family, I was motivated to be my own advocate and take control. If they wanted me to take a break from the meds, I can do that naturally. So in hopes that since I was cycling naturally prior to this year and the possibility for things to be even more kicked into gear, we are taking a break from treatments and giving my body another chance. It’s also going to be the best thing for my mind and body.

We’ve also racked up quite a bit of medical bills so far this year so a break financially will also be nice to give us a chance to build things back up.

How I am feeling about this: I am actually feeling pretty good, now. Unfortunately, it never gets easier. The longing for a baby is still there and stronger than ever, especially seeing so many in my life experiencing what we want so badly but my path is different and God is waiting for our perfect healthy baby to be brought into our ready and warm arms when the time is right for us.

For now, I am feeling pretty hopeful and proud of how far my body’s come in the last year and a half. How much I’ve grown, how much I’ve learned, and I have a lot of trust my body will do its thing and we can hopefully do this without medical intervention.  Of course the fear of the unknown will always haunt me but I’m going with my gut on this one…

So, that’s what I’ve been up to while away from the blogging world. I hope to be back a few times a week to talk about my random happenings, share recipes I’ve tried, talk a little about healthy living and share a little about how my fitness is going.

I’ve missed you all and have thought about you daily! I appreciate all of the emails I’ve received from those who read and have questions or are looking for support. I hope I can be of some help or at least just offer some friendship but I also benefit from every single one so thank you for reaching out to me!

I am anxiously awaiting consistently warmer weather so we can start all of our fun summer activities like sand volleyball, camping, beaches, wineries, weddings, campfires, festivals, biking, more walks, and we are even going to try kayaking!

On another note, I made these Cinna-berry wonton cups for work and I passed along the recipe to just about everyone who tried one! They were easy AND super delicious! Perfect for summer! I will be making these for my friend’s bridal shower next weekend as well.

How are you all doing?

What fun summer activities are you excited for?

Join The Movement: We Matter

I recently read an article that pointed out that infertility is similar to how breast cancer was 30 years ago. Breast cancer was dealt with in private because it was a disease that was never completely understood because women didn’t talk about it much. Infertility has been treated very similar as breast cancer was years back. It is something that is battled privately, a battle that so many couples struggle with in silence. But why?

Why is infertility something that is so taboo to talk about? When did it become something we should feel ashamed and embarrassed of?

This is something I can’t stop thinking about during this year’s National Infertility Awareness Week.

Society doesn’t treat infertility like they treat, for example, diabetes. Diseases are treated with doctors, medication, lifestyle changes, a lot of heart, soul, and tears but yet infertility is seen as less acceptable by society.

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“In 2009, the World Health Organization officially defined infertility as a disease. Yet many individuals, organizations, and insurance companies still say that having children is a lifestyle choice and that infertility is not a serious medical issue. Some even liken fertility treatments to cosmetic surgery. But ask the millions of couples desperately trying to get pregnant whether or not having children is a necessity. Why would they subject themselves to months of years of such turmoil if, to them, it weren’t essential to try?” –Dina Roth Port, The Huffington Post, Infertility: The Disease We Need to Start Talking About

Resolve has dedicated this week in April to get people talking, to open up about issues, advocate for change, and instill hope in those still struggling. It’s for us to come together and make a difference, to educate those around us, and to find our voice on the issue. Change is made when there is enough passion to make it happen.

“The bottom line is that far too many people are suffering. But by suffering in silence, the stigma persists and the advances we need to overcome infertility will never become a reality”…”It starts with those struggling with infertility saying, “We matter.” –Dina Roth Port

This doesn’t mean you have to shout off the rooftops that you are struggling with infertility, I personally still haven’t openly announced our struggles with my world 100% but gradually we have opened up to those around us and this NIAW I have felt much more confident in advocating for what I feel so strongly about. My blog has been a huge help with that. It’s a place where I can share my knowledge, speak from my heart, and all without judgement (hopefully).

Some ways that you and I can help is to speak openly about infertility and take seriousness in the fact that anyone around you could be dealing with infertility, join or start up a support group in your area, participate in the Walk of Hope (becoming increasingly popular), contact your elected officials with concerns and ideas, and most importantly, just keep the conversation going about infertility. The more we talk and discuss it, the more comfortable and accepted the issue will become.

As we continue to struggle with our own infertility, I hope to always be a part of this movement. I will not allow those to feel like they are going through this alone. I will not allow financial hurdles that could so easily go away with the help from Washington get swept under the rug. And I will continue to be open about our struggles to keep the conversation going that infertility is a disease, it is something 1 in 8 struggle with, and it is something that needs to change. We matter. Our dreams matter. And our futures matter.

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For more information on infertility, NIAW, or what you can do to join the movement:

• http://www.resolve.org/infertility101  Basic understanding of the disease of infertility
• http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/about.html About National Infertility Awareness Week
• http://www.resolve.org/get-involved/become-an-advocate.html Become an Advocate

Kick off to NIAW

National Infertility Awareness Week is here!! I am so excited to spread the word through my blog that infertility is an issue. It is something 1 in 8 struggle with. Having children isn’t just a privilege some people are lucky enough to have, it is what we are made to do, it is the number one goal of millions of women out there and it is a disease that effects their well being and the way they go about living their lives (most of the time, privately and alone).

National Infertility Awareness Week is here to give those couples that struggle with infertility a chance to be supported, shed light on, and make the world aware that anyone around you could be dealing with this life altering battle. NIAW is a chance to spread hope.

Also, I did a guest post on Maureen’s blog at breakingfreeandfindingme.com in honor of NIAW! Check it out on her amazing blog She is helping spread the word and is such a kind, caring person and has been so supportive and encouraging in my journey. Thanks Maureen!!