Saturday, August 21, 2010

Welcome ICLW

Thanks for visiting!

Here is a bit of a summary about me, F and our IF experience, if you have some time to look around I've included some links to previous posts:

We have unexplained infertility according to the RE and are currently on a break while I work on a project in another state (3 weeks left!).

Last month I started seeing an acupuncturist and began treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine for Spleen Qi deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis. My basal body temperatures have leveled out and I did not have any clots during my last menses. So far this is the only progress I've experienced in a year and a half. I'll take it!

I am trying to quit decaf coffee. It is very difficult because I love coffee. I broke down and had a decaf latte yesterday while working and it was so good.

We've been TTC for a year and a half. I had an HSG in June that was inconclusive. After the HSG we tried one month of clomid before my trip. I plan to continue acupuncture and TCM when I return for at least a couple cycles before we return to Western Medicine.

F and I have kept our infertility very private from friends and family. Only a small few, that we can count on one hand, know. I think about our silence all the time.

12 comments:

Alex said...

3 weeks left until you can go home - sounds wonderful! Have you found an acupuncturist at home? Based on your progress so far, sounds like you should continue the acupuncture. Hope this fall is very fruitful for you!

Unknown said...

I too suffered from Unexplained Infertility and know how difficult if can be. We eventually figured out the cause while going through IVF. Best of luck to you!

Aly
ICLW #155
www.infertilityoverachievers.com

christine said...

I hope the TCM does the trick for you and that you are able to get your BFP!

ICLW #2

cdg said...

Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog.
Breaks can be hard in their own way since you know you are no closer to this all ending. I wish you the very best of luck. I hope all of the life style changes you have made are helpful. As for the silence, I am pretty open about my IF struggles. For me, it helps to know that people understand a little about where I am coming from and do not think that I just don't feel like coming to their child's first birthday party or something like that.

Rebecca said...

I hope that your break, the HSG and the TCM makes a huge difference.

I definitely understand about not wanting to talk with family and friends about it. I am very open on the Internet, but I have only told a few friends or family. It is very difficult to add their expectations to ours and there are also a lot who say inappropriate things when I do open up! But, I am just so glad to have this community to share with.

iCLW

Jessica said...

I too have been silent throughout out my IF struggle. A few family a friends know but it is strange to live day to day with these people when they have no idea what I am going through.

ICLW #66

Carmen said...

I tried acupuncture too but my fear of needles made it more stressful. Daily injections were already too much for me! But, I have found relaxation in clearing my schedule and spending more time at home.

Good luck!

Carmen
ICLW #68

~stinkb0mb~ said...

I hope motherhood isn't too far away for you.

ICLW
#56 Miss Ruby
http://www.themissruby.blogspot.com/

A said...

Jill, I just read your post on your silence. I think you need to do what's best for yourself here. It took about 1.5 years to share the news with some folks. As for sharing with coworkers, I still haven't--I wanted to maintain a sense of normalcy in at least one arena of my life.

And don't forget that blogging, too, is a form of advocacy.

Anonymous said...

Hi from ICLW! Hoo boy, quitting coffee - even decaf - is rough stuff. I stopped drinking anything but water, herbal tea, and juice several months ago and although I feel so much better, I would LOVE a huge decaf soy latte. Iced. Please.

Wishing you the very best in your journey... :)

Glass Case of Emotion said...

I love love love coffee. And I am SO sorry you know the pain of infertility. It took IVF to discover what was going on, I hope you get your answers soon.

-Jess (#74)

Jay said...

As frustrating as I'm sure all this has been, it really does sound like taking a break and working with your acupuncturist has been a good thing. I'm wishing you all the best & happy ICLW! -- Jay (ICLW #78)