IVF Series: 10

This IVF process has been a different experience that by far no one could ever understand unless they have been through it. Infertility in general takes a great amount of mental strength. Because it affects you everyday, it can easily dictate your life and ruin you. Because of all the ups and downs, now I have taken a different approach and even in the hard times try to see the positives and work myself through the emotions. I take charge and control of it instead of letting it control me. The IVF process itself has been fairly peaceful for me. I have been able to just trust the process and commit to whatever lies ahead. Because this is such a huge commitment emotionally and financially and life altering, it has been crucial for me to have my inner support circle. Ever since I was little, my parents have been supportive of everything I have ever hoped and dreamed of. When I was in fifth grade, I wanted to play drum set and when my band teacher wouldn’t teach me, my mom borrowed my Uncle’s old drum set and let me bang on those drums day and night. I am sure listening to a fifth grader bang on drums wasn’t exactly the most peaceful thing to listen to. When I was in 7th grade, I wanted to join the Knowledge Bowl team. My parents were supportive even though let’s be honest, “knowledge” has never really been my thing. When I was a Freshman in high school I became a cheerleader. My parents went to every football game and sat on those uncomfortable, cold bleachers proud of their little girl. And now, with my infertility, they have been there every step of the way. They laugh with me, and they cry with me. They pray for me everyday. My sister, Crystal has been another huge support system for me. She has been there through all of my infertility ups and downs. She knows every single detail as they happen and has been able to keep me balanced through all of it. I am so blessed by our friendship and her level of understanding through this. It is quite ironic because she had 3 kids with no fertility issues, in fact, she planned all of her kids down to the month they were born in. Everything was timed, but somehow she has been probably hands down, the most understanding. She has an extremely compassionate and caring soul and puts everything into her friendships. With how emotional and delicate the IVF process is, aside from my family, I have a very few select number of friends that I have kept in the loop about this. We actually waited until we were further along in the process to tell Brock’s parents. He is a quiet guy and I was letting him decide when it was the right timing for him to tell them. I am so glad we did tell them though. They were extremely supportive; even doing special research on IVF to understand the process. They are just so happy for us and that makes me so happy. I also have 2 coworkers that have watched my infertility journey and have been updated as the days and months go by. They have been so supportive, positive, and cheering for me which is just so special to me. Many of my other coworkers have been extremely positive and have been cheering me on as well. It is such a good feeling to know that I have such a support team backing me up.

As my nurse was preparing me for the retrieval, she looked at me with a sweet voice and said, “You have a lot of people cheering for you, in your corner.” And I responded with, “Yes…...yes I do.”

And for now,

Xoxo