Thursday, September 27, 2007

Desperately Seeking Perspective

Updated at the bottom with suggestions for gaining perspective from my friends!

That's me . . . "Desperately Seeking Perspective". Did you see my ad in the paper this morning? In part, it read: First time IVFer is beginning to lose it after only 6 days of stims. Allegedly lazy ovaries are prompting feelings of doom and gloom and panic!

OK, this is completely unacceptable! I can't have this kind of thinking! So I've spent the day trying to change my thinking a little bit. OK, a lot of bit. These are the things I have been reminding myself of:
1) This may be MY first IVF cycle, but it isn't my doctor's first.
2) It is still early. I have another, possibly, 6 days to stim.
3) I don't need to set any records for follicle development. In fact, given my age, I'm unlikely to come up with anything the least bit impressive. A modest showing is OK.
4) It is still early!
5) No amount of worry can help this situation.
6) I need to chill out.

Feel free to offer up suggestions for me, and I will add additional comments to the list.

And here is the growing list . . . . as suggested by you, my oh-so-kind readers:
7) Breathe in . . . breathe out
8) Drink. Drink copius amounts of alcohol while you still can. It won't feel good in the morning, but it will temporarily change your perspective.
9) Often times follicles start off slow and then suddenly take off, like the body needs to warm up or something. So you could go next time and things could be completely different.
10) Even when women have responded poorly to stims, there have been many cases where they took what they had and still ended up with a positive outcome at the end of their IVF.
11) I am praying for you! Prayer is powerful and God can go above and beyond what "appears" to be happening!
12) Keep a smile on your face! Research has proven that smiling reduces stress and helps you feel better overall!

13) Go out with the girls!
14) Keep being strong and continue to move forward and hope for the best.
15) Keep yourself busy with the "3B's" - books, booze and buddies

10 comments:

  1. You're just getting started! Pretty soon you'll be feeling those golfball size follicles!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Breathe in, breathe out....I know its SO stressful during this process--I am sorry its causing you to "seek" perspective--but please know you arent alone--and these feelings are normal--just trust your body and the doctors--it will be fine=)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Drink. Drink copious amounts of alcohol while you still can. It won't feel good in the morning, but it will temporarily change your perspective as a nice break.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, I have no perspective on IVF, but hang in there! Everything is going to go great!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hmm, if you find that perspective, can you share it? At least we're losing it together.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Okay...here you go!

    1 - Often times follicles start off slow and then suddenly take off, like the body needs to warm up or something. So you could go next time and things could be completely different.

    2 - Even when women have responded poorly to stims, there have been many cases where they took what they had and still ended up with a positive outcome at the end of their IVF.

    2 - I am praying for you! Prayer is powerful and God can go above and beyond what "appears" to be happening!

    3 - Keep a smile on your face! Research has proven that smiling reduces stress and helps you feel better overall!

    Keep going, Chris! You're doing great!

    ReplyDelete
  7. How about: Just relax!

    I kid.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Keep being strong and continue to move forward and hope for the best.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Go out with the girls! It works for me!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous7:40 AM

    Pamper yourself -- pedicure, manicure, massage? Also, speak positively. Acupuncture has helped me immensely - I can't remember if you have done it yet. My acupuncturist is also practically a therapist!

    ReplyDelete