Sunday, June 01, 2008

What's the Deal with NaComLeavMo?

If you want to know the answer you will have to skip down a little bit, because the first part of this post is for those NaComLeavMo participants who haven't been to my blog before. So, to get you up to speed I'll share a little bit of my story. Two years ago my hubby, Brian, and I were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Months of Clomid did nothing for me. I quit my teaching job so that I would have time to pursue more aggressive fertility treatments. I did a medicated(injectible) IUI and just as we found out it didn't work my dad suffered a terrible fall. He broke his neck in 3 places and is now a quadriplegic. After taking a couple of months off to deal with this new family situation I did 2 more medicated IUI's. They didn't work either. We were ready to head to IVF, however, before the cycle could start we hit the jackpot, or so we thought. I had a natural pregnancy, and things looked great, heartbeat and all, until about 10 weeks when a routine ultrasound showed that there was no longer a heartbeat. Game over, time for a D&C. 4 months later we began the IVF cycle. It started great, but ultimately failed for no good earthly reason. This happened last October. By December we had chosen a domestic adoption agency and in January we started the home study process. By March our home study was approved and profile ready for viewing. We came close to being chosen by a birthmom for her twin daughters, but ultimately came in #2. Our latest opportunity for a match was a few days ago, but we decided to sit that one out. And now you are completely caught up. Wow, looking back at this paragraph it really doesn't seem all that bad, but it sure has felt like going to Hell and back.

It isn't all doom and gloom. I've learned some great things during this time. Brian is truly a champ. If we can get through this I'm confident we can get through anything. I have also learned who I can expect support from, and, um, who I can't expect support from. Even that is a good thing though because it is just as important to know who will let you down as who will lift you up. And this whole infertility bloggyland has been a shining light through the whole journey.

Well, if you have ever been to wonder Mel's site then you already know. And if you are yourself a participant then you already know. Basically it is a way to spread bloggy love through the blogosphere. One of the funnest things about blogging is getting comments. It's wonderful to hear from people who truly get what you are talking about and a great way to make bloggy friends. So, participants have agreed to leave 5 comments, and return 1 comment, each day from May 25th through June 25th. And truly, how could I not participate in something that started on my birthday? Now, I am already a pretty good commenter, but the trick here is to visit new blogs. If you would like more info then just click on my side bar icon for NaComLeavMo.

My experience with NaComLeavMo thus far has been fabulous! I have really enjoyed dropping by so many blogs that I'm not familiar with. When I first started I had hoped to reach "Ironman" status by commenting on each and every participating blog for each of the 4 weeks. However, with well over 200 blogs participating I finally had to admit that it was just impossible with me to catch up since I do need to leave my house each day to work. And I can't blog at work. Also, I found that something was seriously slowing me down. And it wasn't my typing skills. And it wasn't my speed reading skills, or actually, maybe it was. You see, the problem is that once I got to a new blog I wanted to read absolutely everything ever written by that blogger! Anyhow, last night I finally had to admit that I'm just not worthy enough for "Ironman" status and I had to give it up. However, don't worry, the game is still on for general participating.

26 comments:

  1. Thanks for the overview. I really appreciate it when people do this.

    Wishing you the best of luck finding the baby that is waiting for you.

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  2. Gosh, your story sounds absolutely incredible, I look forward to reading more about you - hopefully a more settled life though!

    I didn't even attempt to go for iron commentator status, but am enjoying reading and commenting on all those lovely new blogs!!

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  3. I have over 130 blogs on my igoogle, some dont update but once a week, there are thirty or so that are cupcake blogs, so its just pictures or what ever, but theres no way I could add more blogs to read. I dont get enough done as it is. hehe I guess I am not an ironman either.

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  4. I'm lovin' it too! I love the blogs I'm reading the friends I'm making and the comments I'm getting!

    Fun times!

    Here's to week 2!!!!

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  5. Sounds like you've been through a lot.

    We, too, decided to sit one out. It was a heart-wrenching decision. But the right one.

    I'm wishing you a smooth journey, Chris.

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  6. I thought about doing the Ironman (Ironwoman?) thing, too. But i just don't have the time. I'm already just a little behind!

    Your story sounds amazing and incredibly difficult. I hope that everything goes well with the adoption process and I'll keep looking throughout NaComLeavMo!

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  7. Thank you so much for the overview. I think that's what I've enjoyed the most about NaComLeavMo -- getting to meet so many new and wonderful people!

    I was successful in Iron Commenting for week 1, I hope that I'm able to keep it up.

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  8. Thanks for the explanation of NaComLeavMo although with me being gone so often I don't think i would ever get close to Ironman status...

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  9. Wow! You have been through a lot. Good luck with your adoption plans! I know you will be matched with the perfect baby for your family.

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  10. I can't keep up with the ones I've BEEN reading, or even my own!

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  11. Hi,here from NCLM! I've visited your blog before but dont' think I left a post. I admire you for even attempting Ironman status!! Thanks for sharing your story. Sorry the most recent adoption situation didn't work out, but it sounds like you knew from the start that it probably wasn't meant to be. Someday soon, though, I'm sure it will be a different story! Bestof luck!

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  12. Anonymous9:29 PM

    Sometimes when I look back on my journey, I think that it wasn't too bad - but it was hell during the midst of it. However, it was worth every moment.
    Best of luck to you with this adoption!
    Here from NCLM.

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  13. I also love NaComLeaMo. It is such fun getting the comments.

    Good Luck with the adoption plans.

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  14. just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your adoption journey... your baby is out there somewhere and he/she will find you very soon! :)

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  15. Via NaCOmLeavMo...
    All my comments today are to tag people in a getting to know you meme I just got tagged in. Looking forward to reading your answers!

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  16. Perfect post for me to arrive to for my first visit to your blog! Thanks for the updated story...well, it sounds like you have been through a lot, and I hope and pray the adoption process will work out for you, and that you get to bring a baby home soon.

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  17. Over from NCLM to say hi. Thanks for sharing your story. It's really helpful when people tell their story because I love knowing more about where they've been and what is going on now.

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  18. Hi! I'm here from NCLM. Thanks for posting your story, and what a trying one it is.

    It IS very hard to teach and go through infertility treatment. My school has been so good to me. I'm crossing my fingers that summer will do the trick.

    No Ironman status for me either. I'm having a hard time keeping up with my regulars AND doing the extra, but it has been a lot of fun to read new blogs!

    Good luck in your journey to parenthood.

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  19. I'm loving NCLM too, but I am like you, I have to read the whole blog. It might take me all summer to get through them all.

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  20. Thanks for sharing your entire journey. Much easier to catch up that way. I love that you can still be positive after enduring so much. Truly inspirational. I wish you lots of luck with the adoption process.

    ***NaComLeavMo***

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  21. Thank you for the info and the explanation. I didn't know what NaComLeavMo meant before.

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  22. Hi Chris, just popping in to say "hello"...I feel like my NCLM participation has limited my contact with my blog roll buddies!

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  23. Hi, here from NCLM

    My mother is quadriplegic after a car accident six years ago. Which is probably a really lousy thing to have in common, but it's always nice to find people who know what you're going through. :)

    Good luck finding the right match!

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  24. Anonymous3:00 PM

    Here from NCLM. Thanks for the overview, you have quite a story. Good luck to you in the adoption process.

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  25. Hope you're doing well. I'm looking forward to an update soon. :)

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  26. A fellow NCLM'er here... wishing you the best with your adoption journey. Two of my closest friends recently adopted newborns domestically, and it has been a privilege for me to experience the adoption journey with them. Their beautiful children are SUCH gifts, and I'm not sure I have ever been as touched by the fulfillment of others' dreams as I have been by theirs.

    Adoption is miraculous, I am a believer in that!

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