tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post6583779001002446683..comments2023-08-15T05:02:58.115-04:00Comments on Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters: The Roundup ExtravaganzaLollipop Goldsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020874415819057995noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-52145961605796742992008-08-21T02:28:00.000-04:002008-08-21T02:28:00.000-04:00I'm #56 on the list and it was interesting to see ...I'm #56 on the list and it was interesting to see which of my posts was chosen. <BR/><BR/>I'm still angry about Boo's lack of baby pictures, but I've made sure she's got a lot of pictures to look at from the day she arrived with us onward!<BR/><BR/>As for the clothes, that was easily remedied. She's nicely dressed now. :)Overwhelmed!https://www.blogger.com/profile/03213476355485623906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-43559109224909558802008-08-11T14:09:00.000-04:002008-08-11T14:09:00.000-04:00Mel, thank you for putting this together.I am #48,...Mel, thank you for putting this together.<BR/><BR/>I am #48, "Fun with Fortune Cookies". I was happy to see this post picked because it is one of the uplifting posts I wrote. It was simple... I wanted to remember that there is always HOPE to cling to. I still have that fortune from the fortune cookie that night, right on my desk where I can see it each day. <BR/><BR/>Since I wrote that post I've had my 5th miscarriage in Feb08, and now I am headlong into an IVF cycle that will make or break my journey.<BR/><BR/>I may have not have reached my goal, but in the end I still have hope... even on the darkest days it somehow finds me.Shellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11069416566542236599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-57387550655577133852008-08-05T09:20:00.000-04:002008-08-05T09:20:00.000-04:00Thank you Mel, Niobe and Jen! And thanks to my cr...Thank you Mel, Niobe and Jen! And thanks to my critic :)<BR/><BR/>I loved reading my How you get through post again (#51) cos I think it speaks about the common thread we share in our infertility journeys...<BR/><BR/>I wrote the post the day before my ER for my first IVF, I was excited and full of hope for the days to come, but at the same time I was scared - I has heading into uncharted waters and that got me thinking as to how I had made it through the last 4 years of infertility...<BR/><BR/>Now I am 4 days away from testing in my FET cycle and am again full of hope for the days to come but also scared that the dream could be shattered yet again... Time will tell :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-86401268064146183622008-08-04T22:58:00.000-04:002008-08-04T22:58:00.000-04:00Oh my my! You are just such an amazing woman!!! Ha...Oh my my! You are just such an amazing woman!!! Have I told you how much I love you??? :)<BR/><BR/>I'm Just Me, http://ttcwithendo.blogspot.com and I am #67 on the list.<BR/><BR/>I was gearing up for my first IVF cycle then. When infertility first hit us, I couldn't accept it. I was in denial for a while and finally I started going for testings and from my lap, they found out that I had endo, fibroids, ovarian cysts and polyps. I had them removed and I went on Clomid first. I decided on Clomid first cuz I was really physically and emotionally drained from everything. I thought that I'd take this break from seeing my doctor and the grinding kits for a while. My first cycle with Clomid didn't work and then I thought, OK, IF CLOMID DOESN'T WORK FOR US THIS MONTH AGAIN, IVF IT IS. I finally accepted that if I'd have to go all the way, if it means having a remote possibility of having a child, I'd do it. I was afraid of the big daddy of infertility treatments. I just looked at it as H.O.P.E. My online friends from my forum and also from my blog have been my greatest friends and constant support. I really I couldn't have survived it through the dark phase of my life.<BR/><BR/>Miraculously, on July 19, Clearblue said that I'm pg! I am now about 6 weeks and I am due for a scan this Thursday. It's been 2 and a half years struggling with infertility that today, I constantly fear that this miracle will be taken away from me. I am not a pious Catholic, but I have been praying to him, telling him that to keep my little Cookie safe in me, till I see him 34 weeks later.<BR/><BR/>What has stayed the same for me is my continuous support from my blogger friends, like Lost in Space, In2MeSee, Hope2morrow, Alicia who were there for me since I started blogging about infertility and they still come to my blog, day after day. Since then, I have had more blogger friends. For that, i will always always treasure and value their friendship! I don't know how infertile women survived without the internet back then! And I still have my husband who loves me and who has gone through such shit with me. Plus, I have my furry baby with me still. Whenever I was alone at home and cried, she'd lick my tears away and I'd cry on her body and hug her tight. I love my furry baby to bits.<BR/><BR/>Once again, Mel, thank you for doing this and thank you for everything. Like I said on this post, I'd love to meet up with you, someday, when I head off to the States for my well-deserved honeymoon which I never got!! :) In 2 years, I promise you, I'll see you by then.Just Me.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12940399833566474215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-26205908311950121072008-08-04T22:29:00.000-04:002008-08-04T22:29:00.000-04:00WOW!!!I am ~so freaking bummed~ I didn't take part...WOW!!!<BR/><BR/>I am ~so freaking bummed~ I didn't take part in this. So bummed. I remember you asking the blogosphere, but I was in the midst of being terrified and didn't get to signing up. So now I'm sitting here bummed out beyond words. :~(<BR/><BR/>But now I've got lots of reading to do!nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04479202205264710056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-8720694709986361772008-08-04T16:25:00.000-04:002008-08-04T16:25:00.000-04:00I am number 50 on the list. (Adventures of Baby Ma...I am number 50 on the list. (Adventures of Baby Making).<BR/><BR/>I love this post too. It makes me realize how lucky I am to have my Stephen. He makes all those crazy situations with his crazy, innapropriate, slightly dirty humor. I love him and reading that post make me realize how much we need to lean on each other to get through this process.Triciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17714298937388763348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-27045762559414252112008-08-04T14:52:00.000-04:002008-08-04T14:52:00.000-04:00I am number 140. Thank you to whoever reviewed me,...I am number 140. Thank you to whoever reviewed me, it meant a lot that what I wrote made sense to someone else. <BR/><BR/>I was interested in the earlier comment that said humour was missing. Humour is by no means missing from our blogs, but how fascinating that none of us picked those funny posts when asked to choose the post which spoke to us the most. Something to learn from, there. <BR/><BR/>Thank you mel and to all the reviewers.Thaliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12125639207843989848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-59363489081667003182008-08-04T11:38:00.000-04:002008-08-04T11:38:00.000-04:00Wow. I read all the blurbs, and probably more than...Wow. I read all the blurbs, and probably more than half the posts. Took me all weekend. Thank you so much for putting it all together-- so much beauty, and so much pain. And so much truth.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745262857388007041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-9830495900732339222008-08-04T10:20:00.000-04:002008-08-04T10:20:00.000-04:00I'm #36 on ths list for Due Date. I'm afraid wher...I'm #36 on ths list for <A HREF="http://ourowncreation.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/due-date/" REL="nofollow">Due Date</A>. I'm afraid where I was is where I still am. They are gone and I am here and that's not how it was supposed to be, but that's what my life is now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-23810584003017384292008-08-03T23:24:00.000-04:002008-08-03T23:24:00.000-04:00Holy heck that's fabulous list. Like so many othe...Holy heck that's fabulous list. Like so many others it's going to take time to read through them all.<BR/><BR/>I'm #73 on the list, Love Letter from Birch and Maple. I wrote it because I was close to my due date and was, and still am, overcome by the community that I'm part of (I don't post much any more). In all honesty I don't think I realized until after the Chieftain was born how much you all saved my sanity...and, in fact, I don't think I would be in as good a space now (even with the Chieftain) without you. Still. Hmm. I think I need to write a post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-16761117039129116442008-08-03T23:11:00.000-04:002008-08-03T23:11:00.000-04:00I'm #45 on the list and I was in the midst of a cr...I'm #45 on the list and I was in the midst of a crazy time. My heart wanted another baby so much but it just seemed like too much to go through. Now, a few months later, I still do wish I could have another baby, but I think I am coming to terms with not having one. I'm finding more peace in our decision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-82631193000030772102008-08-03T16:38:00.000-04:002008-08-03T16:38:00.000-04:00I hope my last comment came across correctly becau...I hope my last comment came across correctly because I do love to be exposed to new blogs. <BR/><BR/>I am just back from reading a few and I realized something. It is better, I think, to read fewer posts and really be present while reading them than to try to rush and read more.<BR/><BR/>So, I am taking a deep breath, calming my mind and returning to really read - an not just read - some of these great posts.Kamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01215000341567119958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-45348707700396116392008-08-03T16:13:00.000-04:002008-08-03T16:13:00.000-04:00You know what I don't like? The sheer quantity. I...You know what I don't like? The sheer quantity. I know I won't read them all, but I will still read more than I really have time for and then I will likely add some to my reader and that list is already unmanageable. <BR/><BR/>Finally - do I start at the top or the bottom or pick randomly?<BR/><BR/>Thanks to you and your helpers for getting this done.Kamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01215000341567119958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-31762061192727842562008-08-03T12:09:00.000-04:002008-08-03T12:09:00.000-04:00This is great. I'm number 55. I had forgotten th...This is great. I'm number 55. I had forgotten that post and it's every bit as true today as it was then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-76935773274019476042008-08-03T11:33:00.000-04:002008-08-03T11:33:00.000-04:00Fantabulous job, Mel. You're a star. And cheers ...Fantabulous job, Mel. You're a star. And cheers to the helpers as well.<BR/><BR/>BeaBeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11877513815828460269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-31855012687136626282008-08-03T01:37:00.000-04:002008-08-03T01:37:00.000-04:00Wow I second or third or whatever the amazing part...Wow I second or third or whatever the amazing part. This was so much fun.<BR/><BR/>I am #93 on this post. I really enjoyed writing this post. Reading over it again today still makes me cry. I brought right back to that day. I remember sitting in the chair in our living room with Justin laid out across my lap facing me. He was so giving in his smiles and baby talk. My heart just melted and for the first time since I lost his twin at 18 weeks, I felt some peace about it. Justin was so perfect and I was blessed to have him. He was the baby meant for me. I was just sitting there smiling and talking to him with tears rolling down my cheeks. Each happy tear carried away some pain, some anger, some jealousy, some resentment, some sadness, some self-pity. I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. It was a life changing moment.<BR/><BR/>I guess I am still in that peaceful place most days. But the loss is still so raw and real other days. I miss that baby and all of the others that I lost and nothing will change that fact. I guess what remains the same is my acceptance. I am not longer trying to fight things or question things. And Justin's sweet smiles still make me melt!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for a great review!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00867733939934906090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-64056180764365690062008-08-02T23:36:00.000-04:002008-08-02T23:36:00.000-04:00Wow, what an amazing compilation. I'm not sure wh...Wow, what an amazing compilation. I'm not sure when I'm going to find time to read all of these, but I will!<BR/><BR/>I'm 29 on this list. Rereading that post brought back some good memories. I really never did believe it was going to happen to me, and it took me quite a while to finally believe it was true. <BR/><BR/>And yup, things are pretty much the same with my mother. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for doing all this Mel. You are amazing!Kristinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15401725929395230941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-67616099707658704342008-08-02T20:58:00.000-04:002008-08-02T20:58:00.000-04:00Wow!! Thank you Mel, Niobe and Jen!! What great ...Wow!! Thank you Mel, Niobe and Jen!! What great posts and food for thought. And to whoever read my blog - thank you so much for your kind words. I truly, truly appreciate it.<BR/><BR/>#102 - Selfish from The Therapist is In. When I re-read this post, I almost didn't recognize it as my own - I was hurting so bad when I wrote it. I think it was a great entry to pick because it is the real reason I started blogging. I was bottling up so much inside that I didn't know what to do wtih. The thing that has changed the most since then is those moments are getting fewer. They still hurt, but I feel I am coping better thanks to all of you!<BR/><BR/>http://thetherapistisinbyjamie.blogspot.com/2008/05/selfish.htmlJamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11509124764568535676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-15368670083419930212008-08-02T16:44:00.000-04:002008-08-02T16:44:00.000-04:00It's going to take a while to read through all the...It's going to take a while to read through all these amazing posts!<BR/><BR/>I'm #22 on the list, and things have changed so much since I wrote the post Balancing Act. I felt so stuck between my wants and needs, and that of my parents and children. I guess it just took time for me to realize there was a third choice that involved some compromise on both ends. So I knocked on door number three, and started my new job 4 weeks ago. Still stressed trying to make the transitions, two house pmts, new doctors, etc, but I the weight of the uncertainty has lifted, and we are on the right path now.Carehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02944438427343875168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-13879420497486242882008-08-02T13:21:00.000-04:002008-08-02T13:21:00.000-04:00I'm #81 on the list. I can see how the reader cou...I'm #81 on the list. I can see how the reader could choose that post. I haven't had a normal relationship with my mother at all. I just hope that one day I can be the complete opposite of that to my child.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15944385851042247034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-20285248617182336622008-08-02T12:39:00.000-04:002008-08-02T12:39:00.000-04:00I am #94 on the list, a post called Peering Eyes.R...I am #94 on the list, a post called Peering Eyes.<BR/><BR/>Reading that post again, I just kept thinking about how IF strikes each of us in small everyday moments, moments we cannot avoid. Yet the struggle of IF is so private that we can not reveal our true feelings when it hurts the most.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-46403853278352095712008-08-02T11:31:00.000-04:002008-08-02T11:31:00.000-04:00Reading these posts is like experiencing every fee...Reading these posts is like experiencing every feeling I've had or imagined since we've started this whole ART thing. <BR/><BR/>The one thing that seems to be missing is humor. Through all the pain and frustration and uncertainly, my husband always keeps me laughing about the ridiculousness of it all: having sex with a catheter, masturbation in a doctor's office, shots in the belly and bum, etc. <BR/><BR/>If I didn't have him to make me laugh a little, I couldn't get through it. <BR/><BR/>anne @ eggedon.blogspot.comAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17261296735391802365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-29122689151526698412008-08-02T11:25:00.000-04:002008-08-02T11:25:00.000-04:00I am #91, Romancing the Stork. The selected entry ...I am #91, Romancing the Stork. The selected entry was written at one of many major crossroads in our ttc journey. We were moving to an RE and there seemed to be an endless number of options and all I wanted was for someone to say "do THIS and you will get pregnant."<BR/><BR/>It was interesting to read because I said in the entry that if that cycle had been successful, my due date would be 8/30/08. That's this month! It's crazy to think I could be reaching over a full-term belly to type this comment. That makes it seem so long ago, and yet I can remember that time as if it were yesterday.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for pulling this together. It is an amazing celebration of this blog community, and a true pleasure to read!Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10660985580732553593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-68122700127902096182008-08-01T23:17:00.000-04:002008-08-01T23:17:00.000-04:00This is quite an amazing feat! You definitely dese...This is quite an amazing feat! You definitely deserve a gold star. A big one!<BR/><BR/>I'm 113 on the list and can I say the monthly headgame is just a continual pandora's box? I'm very impressed that my partner managed to wade through the mess of me and select the one that may some it all up.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the read!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30259745.post-46116503032639018112008-08-01T19:04:00.000-04:002008-08-01T19:04:00.000-04:00I absolutely love this list. I'm bookmarking it so...I absolutely love this list. I'm bookmarking it so I can read them all. Thank you for doing this.<BR/>I'm #76 on the list. I wrote my post, Mach 1, when I was at a pretty low point. I was tired of all the assvice I was being given and wished that some people could just try and understand what I was going through. I would like to think I'm in a better place now, although I still have the same wishes. There is something that bonds us together and I'm so grateful for all the women I have met. I wouldn't have met them all without you!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04769356492606351481noreply@blogger.com