Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The What If Game

What if? I am sure I could say that about 50 times a day. What if I didn't stay up so late last night? What if I married my high school sweetheart instead of Mike? What if I didn't buy those ridiculously cute shoes sitting in my closet and instead invested the money? What if? What if? WHAT IF?

What if I was not infertile?  

How would my life be different? How would FERTILITY have affected my life?

Now let's just take a step back and analyze MY life with infertility. Mike and I tried to get pregnant for 2 years before we decided to do IVF. We had 3 miscarriages, 7 failed Clomid cycles, 1 Femara cycle, 4 injectible cycles, and 3 failed IUI's. I do not claim to be the most infertile woman around, but that does not make our journey any easier. I quit my job, among other things, because of infertility. There were just to many appointments for me to keep a full time job. I devoted my life to trying to have a baby. I lived my life in two week increments. I was either waiting to ovulate or waiting to know if I was pregnant. I was always WAITING. I am sure this is an "Oh to familiar story" for all of my infertile readers though. I am sure you have all been-there-done-that.

What if that very first baby had stuck? What if I had a 4 year old today? Where would my life be?

The fact of the matter is that you can't always live in the What if's. I would probably be finishing my family right now with baby number 3 or 4. I would be joking with all of my friends and family about how Mike and I get pregnant if we even bump into each other in the hallway. I would be ignorant and would probably accidentally tell a friend that she would get pregnant if she would "just relax." I would still love my kids don't get me wrong, but would I really appreciate them for the miracle that they really were? I am not totally sure that I would.

Let's abandon the What If's for a minute and revisit the What Is....

I have the most adorable little boy, that I never would have met with out infertility.
I appreciate that little boy more because I remember the blood, sweat, and tear that went into getting him here.
I am a much more kind, compassionate, and understanding person than I ever would have been without infertility.

I am a better person because of infertility

This is easy for me to say now that I can stare into my little boys eyes. However while I was in the middle of my infertility journey, it never seemed like a blessing to be infertile. Now that we are going through all of this again, it still doesn't seem like a blessing. Having a baby does NOT cure infertility. It does NOT make it all better, but it  has at least made me more gracious for what I have.

When I am done having my family after (God willing) another 2-3 kids, I will finally be able to look at infertility for what it really is. In the words of the great Adrian Monk,

"It's a Blessing and a Curse."  

As for today, it will continue to be my curse. I am excited about the day where I don't think about our fertility. I am excited about the day where I can just sit around and enjoy what we have been given. Mainly...

I am just looking forward to looking back.

23 comments:

Heather said...

Thank you for that post. It's awesome to hear that instead of focusing on the past, you are looking for the future and all the blessings in your life! Good luck with your journey and thank you for sharing your story on here. I love reading your updates and hearing where this journey is taking you.

Beth said...

Hey Aly, I don't have a button, but I will grab yours in hopes that you become a follower of my blog and add me to your "Entourage" on the right hand side of your blog!

Great post, by they way!

Erin said...

Beautiful Post!

Lora said...

Our personal trials can make us better people. Its a really great perspective! I am so glad I know you :)

Chon said...

I really enjoyed that post. I haven't yet got to the looking in my babies eyes but I do know that I will treasure each day I have with my children because I know how hard we worked to get there. Looking back will be such bliss!

Christa said...

Wonderful post! I don't think we'll ever be rid of infertility, even if we have the children we seek. It will always be a part of us.

ICLW

Michelle said...

What an inspiring and uplifting post. Thank you for sharing it.

Mrs. S said...

It is great to see you appreciate how fortunate you are to have been successful in your IF journey. I know it isn't over yet, but I'm wishing you nothing but the best!

ICLW-himplusme.blogspot.com

Ashlee G. said...

I love this post. It's hard not to live in the what ifs. congratulations on your little boy, and warm wishes to you on continuing your family!

Ashlee, ICLW#180

Three Cats and a Baby said...

Great post. This is my first time visiting your blog. Congratulations on your little boy!

Unknown said...

اذا كنت تريد حلا لمشكلة خشونة المفاصل ، انضم لخدمة علاج خشونة المفاصل فى التشيك من خلال شركة فيزيو سبا ، ولمعرفة المزيد من المعلومات زوروا موقعنا على الرابط التالي
http://www.spa-cz.net/%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D8%AE%D8%B4%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84/

Unknown said...
khairy said...

شركة سكاي لنقل العفش
نقل عفش بمكة
نقل عفش بالرياض
نقل عفش بالمدينة المنورة
نقل عفش بجدة
نقل عفش بالطائف
نقل عفش بالدمام
نقل عفش بالقطيف
نقل عفش بالجبيل
نقل عفش بالخبر

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