I got an interesting, out of the blue request the other day.
The marketing department from the fertility clinic both called and wrote me an email, saying Channel 2 was interested in doing a news story on a patient who had taken Letrozole as part of their fertility treatment. Would I be interested in participating in this interview?
Honestly, at first I didn’t recall taking Letrozole, but once I googled it realized it was just the technical name for Femara, one of the meds I was given to take for our IUI cycle. The crappy hooray we have enough sperm to try an IUI canceled IUI cycle. The point of the interview, though (if I understood correctly) was to talk about how there is a smaller chance of multiple eggs and side effects (vs. using Clomid which I have not ever taken) and not whether it was part of a successful pregnancy, so I agreed.
I met with a photographer today who admittedly didn’t have much background on the subject of either infertility or the medication. I had no knowledge of what kind of questions they would ask, so we were both kind of winging it. He seemed confused as to why they would interview someone who had used it during a cancelled cycle and what exactly a cancelled cycle meant while I awkwardly stood in front of a camera trying to explain that the med had done what it was supposed to do and that the fact that my cycle was canceled had nothing to do with it. (This was all while trying to describe it to someone who had no idea what I was talking about.)*
As part of the interview, he asked me how it felt to have a successful cycle and how it felt to have a twins as a result (I am paraphrasing) and I meant every word when I said that it was an emotionally and financially taxing time, but that it was absolutely worth it and I would do it all over again.
I was kind of lying.
Right up there with my divorce, infertility was one of the most difficult things I’ve endured. I’ve written several posts before about how hard it is on ALL of your relationships, your emotions and even your sense of self. Even now as a mom it creeps in through feelings of guilt when I find myself annoyed over the 2nd middle of the night wake up.
Bryan sometimes expresses interest in having more, and while I watch some friends’ bellies grow, attend baby showers and coo over their newborn pictures I sometimes, briefly, think that it would be cool to experience again. For Abby and Miles, I would absolutely 100% relive every bad day and cry every tear. I would do it all over again, for THEM. But not for any more.
I have absolutely no interest in meds, injections, monitoring appointments and blood tests. No more appointments. No more transfers. No more anxiety.
I am just fine with two.
*I’m sure they will piece something together thanks to the magic of editing, unless they just decide to cut it altogether. Should I get word it is airing I will try to record and post it 🙂
July 24, 2014 at 10:02 pm
Same boat, same thought. As much as being pregnant again without the drama is tempting, I know what it would take to get there (and stay there). No thanks.
And very curious about the article.
July 24, 2014 at 10:07 pm
It’s actually a tv story, or will be if they air it. I’ll let you know if they do and I can get it recorded!
July 24, 2014 at 10:41 pm
ohh i can’t wait to see it air on TV! please let us know when. My sister always said she wanted a big family and after her second scary and emergent C-section, she said the same thing. it was totally worth it but when it comes to going through it again to have more, heck no! Also I did Letrozole not Clomid for all my IUI cycles. My RE said it has less side effects. for whatever thats worth.
July 25, 2014 at 6:51 am
Yeah I don’t remember it causing any side effects and I’m sure I would have blogged about if i had :). I definitely relate to where your sister is coming from just a bit of a different circumstance. Will let you know when I find out the air date 🙂
July 24, 2014 at 10:44 pm
Lots of hugs. Such a gut wrenching decision. Yet another thing infertility steals from us…
July 25, 2014 at 6:53 am
Agreed. Thank you. 🙂
July 25, 2014 at 12:51 am
I under stand we were just about done when we found out expecting the trio. With Nate we would have gone as far as need be to have our first. We went farther to have the trio and it was very taxing on all of us. I am so happy to never do it again granted 4 kids is hard so I have that lol.
July 25, 2014 at 6:53 am
I think we would have done many many cycles for the first as well if we needed to. I’m sure it would be worth it in the end for a third but the desire just isnt enough I guess to go through more treatments n
July 25, 2014 at 8:17 pm
We have two and I cannot keep up with them! BTW, from the title I thought you post might be about some kind of crazy potty training! 😉
July 25, 2014 at 8:40 pm
Hahaha!!!!
July 26, 2014 at 4:24 am
I have already warned Hubster that should I ever (finally) have a baby, it would probably take a huge miracle for me to ever want to ensure this again. I totally understand how you feel. And weird interview! I’m totally intrigued!