What I've Learned

I have to say that while trying to keep up with ICLW has lead to me sitting awake until 2:00 a.m. reading blogs and leaving comments like an obsessed person, I am thoroughly enjoying the experience because it has brought to my attention so many amazing women and men who are fighting the same war as me. It has been worth the lack of sleep. :)

When I started on my infertility journey, I was alone. I didn't know one other person who was going through what I was. In fact, I lived in a state that had one of the constantly highest birth rates in the country. I was surrounded by pregnant women everywhere. I honestly felt alone. I dreaded going in for each and every single appointment because my doctor was also an OB/GYN with an unsegregated waiting room, which meant I got to sit with all of the pregnant 19- and 20-year-old bitties who complained unmercifully about their pregnancies. They always took for granted that because they were there for a pregnancy, every other woman of child bearing age in that waiting room was either there because they were also pregnant, or was there for an annual pap. I can't count the number of times it took all of my will power to not jump over rows of chairs to strangle an ungrateful pregnant girl, or the number of times I tried so hard to focus on the work I had brought with me so as not to cry as I helplessly listened to complaint after complaint from an expectant mother. Too numerous were the times that I was barely able to contain my tears until the door to the exam room was shut when they would stream warm and relentlessly down my cheeks.

Then one day, I started a blog. In the beginning it was just as a joke. I had no intention of keeping it going for more than a week or so. A couple of months in, I realized I could use it as an information outlet and a journal of my journey through infertility. After a few months, I moved it over here where I had more freedom with the layout. I didn't know then that I was about to meet so many women who were fighting their own battles with infertility. I had no idea my support group was coming around the corner.

Here I am, almost two years later, and I am just now getting really involved in the Infertility/Loss/Adoption group. I've been involved with a few blogs, but not like I will be able to now that I have joined ICLW. What an amazing support all of you are. Over the past few days I have read about so many of your journeys through infertility. They are all so different, so individual, yet all the same. Some of us have been through a lot more than others, but we all want the same thing: to be parents, and we all want it more than anything.

I am so glad that I have been afforded this opportunity to meet all of you. I only wish I had jumped on the band wagon sooner. You are all incredible, strong women, and your stories are uplifting. Thank you for taking time to stop by and say hello these past few days and leave such heartfelt comments. I wish you all the best in your own journeys.