Recently, at one of the many 6:30 a.m. appointments at my fertility clinic, the irony of where the office is situated, was not lost on me. The fertility clinic is located inside a hospital for women. Makes sense, right? A place where women of all ages can come for wellness visits, fertility treatments, women’s health,… Continue reading Irony? It’s Not Lost on Me
Tag: IVF
Back to Back to Back to Back…
We’re sad. We’re tired. We don’t know what is next. I feel silly and don’t know how to gather up buckets of hope anymore. I’ve been avoiding writing about anything, really. Starting a family is constantly on my mind, and when it isn’t, some random person will innocently ask, “Do you have any kids?” The… Continue reading Back to Back to Back to Back…
A Camera in my Uterus? Why, Thank You!
It’s Monday night, I am sitting on my couch as my husband talks on the phone to a good friend. Actually, I am sitting here with a Zodiac inspired face mask (Thanks, Meghan and Abbie!), in my pajamas, and thinking about the update we got today from the doctor. The past three months have been… Continue reading A Camera in my Uterus? Why, Thank You!
Caution: Not Child Resistant (Poem)
It occurs to me,as I shovetwo blueestrogen pillsin my vagina, a blank stare from the cat into the bathroom because this happens oftenthat this is fertility for us. This is baby making. This science of hot flashes,emotions propped up by hormones,heart palpitations,anger,mood swings,depression,swollen ankles,dietary restrictions,financial obligation in the tensof thousands, thisis our version of familyplanning.… Continue reading Caution: Not Child Resistant (Poem)
Signs You’re Going Through IVF (Updated)
Your bookshelf that once held poetry anthologies, novels, and non-fiction essays, are now consumed by books about fertility diets, infertility memoirs, and how to navigate IVF while staying somewhat sane. Music. You are an emotional mess some days, so you avoid any song by J.S. Ondara, Bob Seger, Brandi Carlile, Lord Huron, The Commonheart, First… Continue reading Signs You’re Going Through IVF (Updated)
Actually, Robert Frost, I Prefer the Well Traveled Road
The nurse called Sunday afternoon to give us results from the tests earlier in the morning. “Unfortunately, your uterine lining is still too thin, and the doctor would like to cancel the cycle for this month. I’m so, so sorry.” January 19. The date we were supposed to transfer our embryo, would now be just… Continue reading Actually, Robert Frost, I Prefer the Well Traveled Road
January 19, 2022
I write every appointment, injection, test, and procedure on my calendar, without a second thought. Today, after over a month of knowing the date of our embryo transfer, I still can’t seem to write the words down. Instead, the date swirls in my thoughts, almost like a far off finale. Something in the near future.… Continue reading January 19, 2022
A Community in Waiting
When we lived in the small town of Black Mountain, North Carolina, I had a favorite coffee shop that I visited regularly. It’s still my favorite roastery and coffee, except now, instead of it being down the street from our home, it’s about eight hours away. I worked in the same sweet town that I… Continue reading A Community in Waiting
You Get What You Give?
On my route to acupuncture, there is a home that likes to display wooden signs of inspiration and encouragement. When I pass the house, I usually read the sign and smile. Today, I wanted to stop my car, walk up to the cute sign, displayed on a small wooden bench, and stomp all over it.… Continue reading You Get What You Give?
One Egg, One Basket
I was in line to get a smoothie when my phone rang. This is how every scene begins, right? Disheveled woman with messy hair, waiting in line for her green smoothie, in the midst of Midwestern suburbia, about to find out the status of two embryos. My partner and I were apart from each other… Continue reading One Egg, One Basket
Stefanie Wielkopolan 