Well, Hello There, ICLW

Hello fair ICLWers and ALI bloggers,

This is literally the first time in two years I've participated in ICLW, mostly because (enter excuses) life has gotten the best of me. Life lately has included my ever-rambunctious toddler (my IVF babe) and Mr. S (who is in the hospital currently. Though stable, he has unexplained GI symptoms and severe weight loss that they can't figure out). We have quite a few other things on our plate, but these two are the highlights (um, one of them being a lowlight) most recently.

While my IF 'resume' can be seen on the sidebar down below, I'll give you a brief history. Mr. S and I tried for two years to conceive before seeking out medical advice when we were diagnosed with male factor infertility (low count, motility). After three more years of treatment, including clomid, 7 IUIs, and a miscarriage, we finally went the IVF/ICSI route and found ourselves immensely fortunate to have our son in November of 2009 (17 months).  We still have two frozen embryos, but time is running out.  We are now facing elevated FSH and have been told that if we want a #2, we better move quick, but in the wake of the financial ramifications of TTC #1 and now Mr. S' health issues, our family building future is uncertain.

Thanks for stopping by!

PETA's Tasteless Campaign Mocking IFers

Please read more at Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed regarding PETA's tasteless campaign mocking National Infertility Awareness Week and IFers and please sign the petition (link is at the top of Keiko's post) expressing your outrage. In the meantime, this is a snippet of the very brief two cents I added to my petition:

"As someone who is an animal lover and has historically been supportive of your organization, I am outraged and disgusted by your current campaign. I have suffered with infertility for over seven years and am saddened that millions of Americans who are undergoing heartbreak in the midst of their efforts to build their family are being mocked. We already face public silencing and stigma and had no need to be kicked while already down. Unless you can publically apologize, I can no longer call myself a supporter."

So Much for Anonymity...

Just a few months back, I was steadfast in my decision to not post any recent pictures of baby G for the world to see (or rather, toddler G!), but I guess my being hellbent on taking RESOLVE's pledge to not be silent about infertility REALLY conflicts with this goal.

Exhibit A:

I know. It's almost comical that we're on TV again. How did this happen? I mean, surely we're not anything unique or special in the world of infertility. We're just...how shall I put this? Media whores, lol.

If you'll recall our Good Morning America appearance from last year, the same doctor who treated us was on that program as well. At that time, it was Good Morning America who initially contacted us as a result of Mr. S' blog and eventually they decided to include our doctor. This time around, it was our local news station on NBC who contacted our clinic regarding their 'shared risk' program and when they needed some patients to interview, my doctor contacted me as she knows we're certainly not camera-averse.  Haha.

Yeah, maybe it's not the most informative piece and quite frankly, it was inaccurate several times (for example, I did not purchase a package of 6 IVFs, but 3 fresh and 3 frozen, however I know they're simplifying it for the general public, so I'll stop splitting hairs), but damn if my little miracle guy wasn't an adorable little ham. 

And, oh my God, could I have said, 'ya know' more? I think I had an entire sentence composed of it. I'm sure speech and drama teachers everywhere cringed, leaving me to ask, "my God, in the hour of footage, why did they choose THAT moment?" (probably because I said 'ya know' constantly anyways)

In other news, FIF is still alive and well! (see below) Despite my intensive recruitment, however, it is limited now to a group of my real-life IF friends and not the expansive cohort of ladies from around the country I had originally hoped for, but nevertheless we are going to have TOO much fun. I'll be sure to post pictures of the ovary headband!

Also, I'm thinking of starting a peer-led support group in my county as one does not exist and I may beg, borrow and steal from more family members for #2. More on that to come!