2WW

I know some of you are thinking to yourself, "What does 2WW mean?" Any guesses? Any? Going once . . . going twice . . . .

2WW is the forum term for the dreaded "two week wait." This is the time between ovulation and AF (sorry, another forum term AF=Aunt Flo . . . a woman's monthly visitor. Oh for Christ's sake . . . her PERIOD). The two week wait consists of the usually 14 days between when you could have made a baby . . . and when you find out if you actually did! It has been rumored to be the longest 2 weeks in history!

I am in the two week wait right now after having an IUI last Wednesday. (Ok, ok, IUI stands for intrauterine insemination . . . well, you asked?!) The only thing worse than the two week wait is the one week wait, which I will start tomorrow. This the week where anxiety peaks and the phantom pregnancy symptoms start. I grab my boobs more in the one week wait than a porn star. Well, come on, I have to see if they are sore. Sore boobs is one of the first pregnancy signs!

So how do I get through the two week wait? Lots of booze of course! Haha, just kidding, because of course you aren't supposed to drink, you might be preggo . . .duh! (Although I admit to having one or two from time to time. Hey! After 6 years, I have been at a lot of bars, parties, and weddings and not been able to drink, only to learn a few days later that I was, in fact, not preggo!)

Here is some good infertility humor to pass the time:

Right Ovary: "Hey, did you order furniture?"
Left Ovary: "No, why?"
Right Ovary: "Because there are a couple of nuts outside trying to shove an organ in"

Why does it take 50 million sperm to fertilize one egg?
Because they won't stop for directions either!!!

Things to Do During the 2WW:
1) Seriously consider suing the makers of home pregnancy tests . . . because their products are defective.
2)Convince ourselves that if we spend all the money we have left for treatments, God will be forced to give us a BFP (Big Fat Positive, I just realized that we use more acronyms than texting does)
3) Freaking out the general public by approaching a woman you hear complaining about her children with your checkbook open and asking "How much?"
4) Throw the remote at the TV when you hear of the next Hollywood star who "accidently" got knocked up! No one used to piss me off more than Brittney!
5) Plot how you are going to get back at Octomom, while being a little jealous that her fertility treatments actually worked!
6) Paint the third toe on your left foot purple because your friend told you they read some where that this increased fertility.
7) When someone asks, "When are you guys going to have kids?" Look a them and reply "When you give me $15,000!"
8) When someone asks you the date, answer them "Cycle Day 21"
9) Blog :)

A great source of many jokes is the website 999 Reasons to Laugh at Infertility.

Anyhoo. Thanks for helping me pass some time. Feel free to leave comments!

I Would Die For That

6 years, or 70 months, or 2100 days, or 50,400 hours . . . however you look at it, this is how long we have been trying to get pregnant.

Along this journey, I have learned a lot of things:

1) My family wants me to be a mommy almost as much as I do - so they are always there to lend a shoulder when I need one
2) I know who my real friends are. You know, the ones who ask me how I am, want to know what is going on, and know my cycle days and check in with me for the joy or pain each and every month. There are also some who talk behind my back . . . but karma will take care of them
3) It is really a shame how much many women DON'T know about their body and the way it works. Through this journey, I have learned a lot about my body and the signals it sends me.
4) In health care, the only one really looking out for me . . . is ME! It is my responsibility to insure that I get the care and information that I need. I have become a great advocate for myself, knowing that if I don't ask or share the information, they aren't going to get it.
5) You can only put on a happy face and bury your emotions for so long before they are going to come out . . . best to not let it build up!

One of the hardest parts of the infertility journey is feeling so isolated. Friends and family are having babies. You know they don't understand, as much as they may want to. Even friends who have gone through infertility but now have children are in a different boat now. It is like they have moved on, and you are stuck. Unfortunately, in many ways, infertility is still a taboo subject. When I had my miscarriage, or when a month of fertility treatment fails, I hear so many times, "I don't know what to say." Well me neither, but say something because otherwise it seems like you don't care, or don't want to talk about it. And maybe you don't. But don't expect me to be able to put on a happy face. Each and every month feels to me like another dream shattered.

I have also made connections with people I never would have. Speaking out about our issues has made me a great resource for others. I met a group of ladies early on in my infertility journey that have been my rocks throughout the past almost 6 years. Without them guiding me, pointing me in the right direction, and sharing information, I would certainly not be where I am today. (Thanks WM and MP) Now I have had the opportunity to share information and be a mentor to other women in this same position. And it amazes me every day when someone else in my life "discloses" their similar struggles.

So to close, I want to share this song. I found it several months ago, and it speaks to me on so many levels. I can't watch it without bawling my eyes out, so I wanted to share it as a great emotion-releasing song!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqfGqOx2iDQ

**Fingers crossed . . . IUI Wednesday**