Hey everybody! I wanted you to check out this interview that I did with Dr. Paul last fall. He just let me know that this has been the most popular download on his podcast. Check it out and let me know what you think!
You can also check out the other shows he has done at www.liveonpurposeradio.com
I recently had the opportunity to do another podcast show with Dr. Paul. On the show we discussed a book called “The Female Brain” by Dr. Louann Brizendine. I fell in love with this book about a year ago and think that this book contains important and helpful information for both men and women. Enjoy the show!
So I have the finalized description of the FSA conference. It will be help on July 31st and August 1st. It is at the Davis Conference Center. The address is 1651 N. 700 W. in Layton, Utah. You can find more information and specifics about it on the FSA website which is: www.familiessupportingadoption.blogspot.com.
The content of the conference looks amazing! I will be discussing two topics: “The Impact of Infertility on Marriage” and another class called, “Why Not Me? Bitterness to Blessings.” Other classes will address the adoption process, foster care to adoption, financial aspects of adoption and coping with failed placements as well as many other wonderful classes. It should be a great weekend! I am so excited for the conference and hope that some of you will attend.
Adoption is such a blessing in the lives of so many people. I know it is a huge sacrifice for these birth parents and such a blessing for adoptive parents. I’ve worked with many families at my office with great parents who are so loving and wonderful and seek to find the best lives for their children. Yet there are many aspects of adoption that are so important to know about and this conference is one way to discuss almost all of them. Come if you can, I know you’ll benefit from it greatly; whether you’re considering adoption, have adopted or not.
I got some really good advice when we were starting this infertility journey from a wonderful sister and brother-in-law. They had already gone through this process themselves and when they knew that we were too, the first thing they said was, “don’t wait.” Don’t wait for a year of “unexplained infertility” or people saying “it’s normal to not get pregnant for a year.” I know that might be the medical advice but on a personal level, don’t wait for something that you want to do now. My best advice, do what feels right when you want to. If you want to wait a year before seeking help, that is great but if you feel like something isn’t right and you would like help sooner, go for it!
I think the real heartache of this all is all the waiting. So, don’t wait anymore. Seek the next treatment, the next procedure, the next big decision about your journey. Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do- you do what you feel is best for you and your current and future family.
I am so excited! A while back I was asked to do a presentation for an LDS Family Services Adoption Meeting. I have loved giving any kind of presentation, talks or seminars about infertility since I think it is under-talked about by the families that go through this; especially the women. I love it though and was recently asked to speak at the National FSA (Families Supporting Adoption) Conference this summer.
I don’t want to say for sure the topics yet since they may change but there will be 2 awesome topics that will be addressed regarding infertility. It has really made me think so much about adoption and the wonderful blessing of adoption in so many people’s lives. I am excited to get more involved on the adoption end of infertility and hopefully be able to gain more insight here as well.
I’ll keep you informed on the dates and topics 
*Summer
Stigma! Wow! Isn’t that kind of a harsh word? I was reading an article about infertility this week and found this as a title for women with infertility. Having spent time in Kenya and Tanzania last year (my attempt at freedom from infertility), I grew to love the land there and the beautiful people we met. I hope to go back there one day to become more familiar with the people as well. Anyway, this article was about infertility in Nigeria.
It stated in Social Sciene and Medicine that this stigma of infertility can disadvantage Nigerian women from certain activities to even the where and how she is buried. This article stated that “motherhood continues to define an individual woman’s treatment in her community, her self-respect, and her understanding of womanhood.”
I could go on and on about this article but in this post, I just wanted to quickly share that with you and some thoughts that I had as a reaction to it, especially that last quote. I agree that infertility is probably one of the hardest things that couples and individuals have to face but I do not belive it is a stigma that we are forced into. Don’t for a second believe that you don’t understand womanhood just because this is something you deal with in life. Womanhood is not defined by motherhood. Do not be fooled by others or yourself into thinking that you don’t have a purpose or self-respect because you don’t have children or have had a harder time getting them here.
We all have a purpose! Don’t ever forget that! I believe we are meant for many things in this life; some are meant to be lawyers, CEO’s, chefs, professional athletes, secretaries or doctors. But all of us are meant to love and support people and that to me is the greatest purpose we will ever be priviledged to have.
Hey everyone! This post won’t have anything to do with infertility in and of itself but I love this you tube post. We are influenced daily by so many negative statements, fears, self-doubts,loss of hope and insecurities (some even coming from ourselves)that it really takes others to help us get through things. I truly believe in the powerful influence of others in our life. Just watch this video and see how the influence of this crowd helps almost everyone walking through this busy central station.
Go out and influence and support others today!
Personal note: I recently had surgery for a cyst that didn’t want to go away with BCP’s. Lucky me! Well, I am not alone. I wanted to just express gratitude today for doctors and medical support for these concerns. I had a great experience and recovery and am so grateful for Dr. Christian Froerer http://www.cottonwoodobgyn.com/staff.html and the staff at Intermountain Medical for their help and great expertise.
Laparoscopy surgeries are really common and are usually done for ovarian cysts and/or endometriosis. I will put a link below for those of you that haven’t yet had one and may need to do one so that you know what to expect before and after the surgery. We are so lucky to live in this time when this type of procedure can be so quick to do and easy to recover from. (Don’t get me wrong though, the worst part was the air filled body for a few days – OUCH!) Don’t worry, it goes away. http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/laparoscopy-16156
Well, this means once again, moving forward. I hope you are too!
I don’t know about you guys but in the winter months, I feel like I am dragging my feet just about every day. I love the change in season here in Utah but without the sun, I really feel myself dragging through the days. I feel like all momentum is lost in me at times.
Unfortunatley, this doesn’t only apply to the weather, it also applies to my attitude about infertility too. I have been stopped once again in our attempts to move forward and I have found it difficult to keep my enthusiasm, faith and hope moving forward at times. However, those moments only last a few minutes and then I am back on track. So… I thought I would add a few comments here about the importance on “hanging in there.” I know it gets tough to keep having the energy to move forward but it is essential in dealing with challenges and life itself. I believe we must move forward every moment of every day. If we aren’t moving forward, we are stuck or sliding backwards – neither of which are helpful nor healing.
Hang in there during these slower moving months and keep “hanging in there” with me
I apologize for not posting for so long! I have been back and forth in my own mind as to what would be helpful about writing this post. I have currently been informed of yet another road block in our journey of infertility and wanted to address it somehow.
Cysts! I’ve talked about PCOS before but this time, I am talking primariliy about single cysts. Everyone gets them! They are completely normal! At least that is what I hear from the doctors and nurses anyway. The problem is that if you have one, you can’t start any fertility medications or procedures.
Here are a few types of cysts to be aware of and how to treat them:
*Functional- also called simple cysts. These are very common – most women are even unaware that they are present unless big enough to cause sever pain. These types of cysts occur during an ovulation cycle. If one of these eggs is not released, the ovary can fill up with fluid. 95% are benign and go away after a few period cycles. Treatment for these types of cysts include birth control and/or surgery such as a laparoscopy.
*Dermoid- these are the kinds of cysts that you only hear about and think can’t possibly exist. These cysts have hair, teeth, bone, fat and cartilage. Treatment is surgery only and most often quickly necessary.
*Endometrioid-these are caused by endometriosis. Endometrioid cysts are formed when tissue bleeds over into the ovaries. Treatment, once again often requires surgery but can also be treated using birth control.
Cysts are very common and usually don’t cause any discomfort (unless they rupture of course, which is extremely painful and uncomfortable) It is important to get any of them checked out and do what is required to get rid of them. However, like most aspects of infertility, these too require patience and lots of waiting. Cysts should go away within a few cycles.
Hang in there for any who experience these! The good news is there are ways to remove them 
I got this clip from a dear friend and colleague of mine. Thanks Randy! This video clip is just so inspiring that I had to put this on my site and share it with others. I hope we may all have this much joy and happiness in times of trial and discouragement! Enjoy!
http://www.charliephillips.net/Video/Theater3/NickVujicic/tabid/866/Default.aspx
With the end of the year coming, I often reflect on the typical end of the year thoughts most of us do such as, “what did I accomplish this year? what were the positive things that happened? what didn’t go well?” and so on and so on… I have mentioned this before, but I really like to think the opposite direction. I think we all too often focus on what didn’t work or what didn’t go our way but to me, optimism is where we should dig in and live. Therefore, I like to think, “what do you want to accomplish next year? who are the people you can know better or support more?” I love those questions! They help me stay present focused and optimistic rather than past focused and pessimistic.
Please try this year to not think what didn’t… but rather what did and what you can do for the future! I wish you all the wishes and desires of your hearts and pray you find ways to have them.
*Live the New Year – Happily! Happy New Year!
