International Blog Delurking Week
It may or may not be International Blog Delurking Week. The first full week of January is when we’re supposed to slither out of the reading closet and check in with an “I’m here” comment. Which would have been last week since the 1st fell on a Sunday. But since we usually allow everyone’s hangover to pass before we ask them to delurk, I waited until the second week in January to request everyone reading to raise their figurative hand.
Which seems to be what most people have done.
So welcome to International Blog Delurking Week. I make a badge every year to mark the occasion, and I give you full permission to right click and grab it for your very own.
My reward for remembering to do this (when I could have just as easily forgotten) is that you have to delurk for this worldwide holiday (which is just as serious and important as all other worldwide holidays … such as International Harry Potter Reading Day. And International Font Loving Week.
It is fairly easy. Leave a comment in the comment section below admitting that you’re here. You can simply raise your hand and meekly admit that you’re here with a simple, one-word “here” comment; or you can proudly raise your hand and tell us all a bit about yourself (my preferred method); or you can tell me what type of cookie you’d be if you were a lump of cookie dough (see, I’m trying to make it easy for you by even providing a comment prompt). The point is that I want to know about the people who read me, since there is a huge discrepancy between the number of readers in actuality and the number of readers I actually know are reading. Or a tongue-twister like that.
And that’s all you have to do to celebrate.
So (clears throat to nudge you along), who is here?
120 comments
Hi!
I’m here
And how could I not be, since you were so kind to add me to your ALI blogroll and do LFCA, and ICLW, and Creme de la Creme and write cool books…. ok, enough flattery for one day
And since you want to know a little about your readers, my journey in short: I’m almost 39, German living in Germany; we’ve been trying to conceive since October 2010, and I had one chemical pregnancy since then. We’re no about to start our first round of IVF.
Other than trying to conceive, I’m a project lead for software projects of a large German-international company and I love to read, travel, and play the piano. And I’m something of a compulsive fact-finder regarding TTC and IVF, which leads to me owning about 10 books on the subject…
Thanks! And all the best for 2012!
I’m here!
International Font Loving week? But there some fonts I love and some I hate and I think that goes for most people who are even remotely interested in fonts… (Having said that, I never really paid too much attention to the font of my blog, which is of course unacceptable!) The funny thing is that a Font is called Police in French. Go figure.
Anyway, I have no idea how to describe myself as a lump of cookie dough. You got me thinking though! But for now I stick to the basics: Dutch, been living in France for the past six year after 4.5 years in the US. Struggled with IF for about 6 years before having IVF baby #1. Now pregnant with IVF baby #2, due in two weeks! More details on my blog…
Here! Fairly new to this community.
Recently had surgery to get rid of a large fibroid and endo. Waiting for my period to come back after a 3-month dose of Lupron. Looking forward to an IUI- hopefully next month!
Howdy!
Delurker week doesn’t really apply to me. If I read something, I always have to say something.
I’m 41 and have been on the ttc train since 2000. In that time I’ve had two miscarriages, one chemical pregnancy, one set of of twins, one daughter, and one giant fibroid delivered by myomectomy named ‘Nessie’. I haven’t done anything remotely interesting besides breastfeeding since my entire department was laid off while I was on maternity leave in 2006.
I love your blog, and your books, and I am impatiently waiting for the sequel to ‘Life from Scratch’.
I am here! Currently reading “Life from Scratch” for the first time and love it!
I’m here!
Things are going well. P and I are off on vacation to Disn.ey Wor.ld in 2 weeks. We will be starting treatments again after we get back from vacation. My ear surgery was a mixed success. The graft took, but the remaining ear drum keeps getting new holes around it and then healing those slowly. As of right now, it does not look like I’ll need another surgery on the ear because it hasn’t been infected and actually looks healthy again.
I’d be chocolate chip cookie dough. Mostly because it’s my favorite kind of cookie and a good chocolate chip dough is a wonderful thing.
Hello!
My husband and I started TTC in 2006 and are now parents to the 18 month old result of a cancelled IVF cycle. We’re in agreement that we will not use ART again, so any future child(ren) will be the surprise result of non-prevention. Lightning can strike twice, right?
I’m here! I’m relatively new to the community and am so glad I found your blog (and others via the Creme de la Creme list).
I’m 32, have had two miscarriages in the past 6 months, and a little more than a year of trying before that. I’ve also been tentatively diagnosed with PCOS. Looking forward to an upcoming appointment with a new RE and (hopefully) moving past this stage of the journey.
I’m here. I lurk part-time and comment part-time or when the mood strikes me.
Today is my birthday! That means that I get to have leftover birthday cake for breakfast tomorrow. (That was the rule in my house when I was growing up. On the day after your birthday, you can always have a piece of cake instead of regular breakfast food. But, only on that day and no one else can have it. They have to eat regular food.) AWESOME!!
I’ve also been getting all sorts of free or discounted things from retailers both IRL and online for my birthday. I’ve gotten a $10 gift card from Ko.hl’s, a coupon to Hall.mark, extra bonus points at AC Mo.ore, free breakfast at Den.ny’s, a free chocolate-covered or.eo from a local candy store, and I’m hoping that B.MW will come through and give me a new car! (It can’t hurt to wish and hope, right?!)
Happy Birthday, Gail!
Um it would have to be hazelnut butter cookie dough made with gluten free flour of course, since I swallowed a few lumps of that this weekend and then of course inhaled just about all of the 26 biscuits I made from it in the space of two days. I mean, what else is there to do with them? When they are just sitting there, staring at you?
I’M HERE.
It’s 1.20am in the morning, so I’ve nothing big to say. But I was here.
XXX
Here!
2011 was the year of diagnosis, IVF, miscarriage and I’m about a week out from my first FET. I come by almost every day and definitely on Fridays to read the Blog Roundup. I don’t know that I would have made it through any of the last year without this community. I guess I should participate more and come out of the closet. I read EVERYTHING that gets recommended in the roundup and am just starting your book that I bought last week. I’m ready for the next batch of Creme blogs (when you have time). It helps me feel less alone.
Happy birthday to Gail! I am here, and it’s MY birthday tomorrow. Suffice to say I am probably older than 99% if not 100% of everyone responding to this post… but who’s counting? lol Living childless/free (more or less happily) after stillbirth & infertility for the past 10+ years, but still feeling the impact & interested in ALI matters — which is why I continue to blog & hang out here. ; )
I’m here.
Single mom to twins after 6+ years TTC. Just started reading your Life from Scratch book – so far fabulous and so many parts absolutely resonate deeplywith me.
Thanks for all you do.
Waving!
I’m a part-time lurker, part-time commenter like Gail (Happy Birthday Gail and loribeth!) I approach commenting in a, “respond to posts that move you,” kind of way. And I like watching and listening. Always have. But when I do have something to say, I pipe up.
About me: I’ve been in the ALI community for a year and a half going on two years. I have all sorts of lovely (annoying) issues that result in miscarriages every time we get pregnant, but we are hoping that our new course of immunology treatment will stop that trend. Oh! And I just moved my blog to wordpress–come check it out!
As to a cookies, I would be a gluten and dairy free, low glycemic index, high protein biscut with berries on the side. Because that’s how my insulin resistant cells insists I must eat if I want a happy body.
3rd comment on the internet ever, that’s how persuasive you are! Had trouble having kid #1 in 2006, a little less trouble with #2 and #3, but still feel the writing is best on all these blogs you highlight – the stories are powerful and resonant. So while I’m in the horribly lonely phase of parenting (kids can talk, interrupting adult conversations, but cannot HAVE adult conversations) I LOVE having all of your company!
Your blog, and ones I’ve found through you, help me so much. Keep writing! For me: started TTC in summer 2009, m/c #1 July 2010, m/c #2 in February 2011. Started tests with RE, then m/c #3 in June 2011. MTHFR and balanced translocation are the only things that popped up in testing, and no other ideas. Took a break to catch our breath, and then had a friend offer to be a gestational surrogate in the fall. We’re headed back to the RE tomorrow to see if that’s even an option. In the meantime, we’ve been reading (I just finished your *excellent* book last night!) and coming to different conclusions: he’s gung-ho about the possibilities of GS, and I’m terrified of the physical/emotional/financial aspects of IVF and considering child-free as the only way to be done with this nightmare. Feeling very mired down in the dual-edged possibilities/information overload and not sure what’s next.
Hi I made it!!! I just found your blog today. I have had if all my life. I never went through puberty. I am on a journey to have a baby at the age of 39. I have 2 donated embryos and waiting to start a cycle to super charge my lining so I can transfer the embryos.
Delurking is so funny because I don’t feel like a lurker. But I comment so infrequently that I don’t feel like a ‘regular’ either. But I am here and I think Blanche up there may be my twin (I’ve saved her blog so I can check it out more thoroughly when I have a few minutes). Looking forward to checking out many of the above blogs, actually. Feeling like I should use this as added motivation to get to posting on mine.
Present.
After 5+ years of TTC and no pregnancies or diagnosis, we’re about to adopt from foster care.
Cookie dough: blondie
I’m here! I started reading your blog about a month ago. I was searching for support after losing my son in November. We had struggled with infertility and got pregnant through IVF with twins. I lost one of the twins at seven weeks and our other precious baby developed a fatal condition at 15 weeks and was stillborn at 26 weeks on November 14, 2011.
I found your blog and began reading the stories of so many families, which made me feel less alone in this unbearable journey of grief. I was so moved by the Creme posts I read, I ended up submitting my own (“waiting for winter”) about learning that our William was truly going to die soon and how it felt to face that reality.
Thank you for forming this community where we can share our stories and support one another. You are a wonderful writer and I will continue to follow your blog.
I’m here!!
Just beginning the process of thinking about prepping for a FET for child #2. Feeling nervous and excited. Dreading needles back in my life.
Cookie dough: Oatmeal raisin? Looks healthy, but really isn’t.
I read faithfully but have never commented, mostly because I read on my iPod while breastfeeding my 15 month old baby girl. I have PCOS but was able to conceive naturally, and used Metformin throughout my pregnancy. I also used Progesterone suppositories the first 14 weeks of pregnancy which I believe kept her safe in there during that first trimester. We are now trying for baby #2.
Thank you for all that you do – I love your blog.
Hello!
I feel like I don’t fit the comment mold but its ok to be different right? Technically I had fertility issues but while I understand the world like someone who swims understands the ocean, I am far more engulfed in non fertility related issues.
I found you during the November fiesta and found you to be just my type of writer and keep coming back for more.
I am here!
And glad to be. I am so glad I found this site and all the wonderful resources that are here. I love that there is a blogroll and the creme de la creme is brilliant
So a little about myself.. I am 23 years old, been married 3 1/2 years to a wonderful man, who is also a firefighter. We have been trying for kids since August of 2009. I am polycystic and we delivered a stillborn daughter April of 2011. Recently I have enjoyed reading other’s blogs and writing my own and trying to find that “new normal” and waiting to feel comfortable trying for kids again. Struggling to know whether having kids will bring that happiness for me, or if I need to find that happiness for myself before I start the children having journey again.
Love this site!
Hi there, I’m jenny. Been with my husband for almost 16 years, married almost 10. I have a older daughter who is 7 and then I have my ^angel^ Megan, who died from sudden unexplained death in childhood. Toddler sids basically at the age of 18 months. I then went on to have a miscarriage at 12 weeks and then a chemical pregnancy and then I had my rainbow, Amanda who is currently almost 4 months old. We are a army family but currently home with family so were hoping we never get orders to move again lol
I’m here too! But then, I’ve been around awhile.
I found you and the ALI community shortly after my second miscarraige, back in January of 2009. I have found this place, this community that you have worked so hard to help facilitate, to be an integral part of my getting through the ups and downs of my IF journey. After being diagnosed with RPL as caused by a progesterone deficiency, we are now parenting our 13 month old daughter and expecting our Halfling 2.0 in May.
As for cookie dough… I would love to say I am something chocolatey and gooey, but my blood glucose would freak out. So instead I’ll be something with lots of fiber and maybe a bit of Splenda in it.
I’m here. Always, but I have been reading on my Android and find commenting with my sausage fingers trying at best. So, I think I will go back later on my actual computer and sit and write comments, but then I don’t. I do love your blog, and your writing and the way you mobilize the community and just exude love to all who come. xo
I’m here and am definitely a lurker. I think we’ve been ttc for around three years (the trying part of it is not really accurate anymore), and we’re currently figuring out what to do next. We thought we had it figured out (living childfree), but now I am reconsidering and starting to explore adoption. I’m feeling some pressure to make a decision asap because I’m not getting any younger, but I feel like we can’t rush this decision, either. I actually just started posting to my blog again after a 6 month break, but I keep up with most blogs even when I’m not updating mine.
I’m here. Always. Not so much a lurker.
I’m 31, live in Las Vegas, and have PCOS/MTHFR/Type II, and twisted tubes. I have ovulated though, for the last 3 months, and if I can just get the sperm to meet the egg in the right place, I’ll be happy.
Present…
Found your blog because I was expecting to have trouble conceiving (PCOS & thyroid issues). After a year, we were lucky enough to get pregnant, but I still read your blog because I love the writing.
Chocolate mint chip. Mmmmmm.
I am here! I am the mom to a 5 month old girl conceived by DE after several failed IUIs and IVFs.
Um, hi? I’m here, but it’s a secret!
I’m here! I’m KeAnne, 34. I have a 2.5 year old son via gestational surrogacy (unicornuate uterus, stage 4 endo). I’ve been around since 2005 off and on but am trying to be a more active member of the community. I have your book on my iPad but haven’t read it yet. Can’t wait to do so!
I don’t eat chocolate, so I’d be a peppermint-white chocolate cookie, lemon cookie or butterscotch cookie. Or maybe a white-chocolate cranberry cookie.
I am here and mostly a lurker! I am here as both an IF warrior as well as a woman who just adopted her first child!
The cookie question is hard. It would have to be either whole wheat chocolate chip because the dough and the cookies are so very different from each other or a lemon cookie because lemon is yummy!
Here… started reading since my miscarriage 3 years ago. Both my SiLs proceeded to have one son, then another. I’ve picked up my bassoon again, changed my job, failed an IUI, had a known egg donor fail her screening. Now recharging for foreign DE (and carrying on to step-mother every other weekend. Because even my partner has two sons)
I’m here! (Raises hand…) I love the de-lurking idea, there’s something freeing about it; it has been for me over the last few months.
My husband and I have been ttc since July of 2007. One pregnancy through ivf #1 but we suffered a miscarriage February 2011. Moving forward with ivf #2 now, lupron starts on the 27th.
Thank you for all that you do for this community. You and your work really do make a difference for a lot of us out here. xoxo
I’m here! And hopefully this will be the time I actually hit submit because I have written so many comments on your posts in the past, and for some reason never hit that button. I owe you some major comments though as I’ve been a long time reader, I talk about you to my friends, and you helped me find my way into this community, for which I am ever so grateful. I also, have finally started reading your book and I’m so into it! I haven’t had a book that’s kept me up late reading before bed in awhile and it’s nice to be back there again (although it has increased the amount of coffee I’m drinking).
A little about me. I’m 31 now, the mama of a beautiful and hard won little girl who will be two this spring. There’s a box full of fertility meds up in my guest room just waiting for my period to show it’s face so that we can start this process all over again with the hopes of giving our little Bean a sibling. I’m totally in denial about all of it and am trying to convince myself it’s not a big deal this time around, which is pretty much a load of crap. Hopefully it will be better though because I am just now finding all the bits and pieces of myself that I lost the first time around and I’m not quite ready to go through all that again.
Thanks for encouraging everyone to make themselves known. I should have done it long ago.
I’m here. 36, female, single, not part of the ALI community, not even a parent, not planning to be one. I got here via Lindsay a few years ago and I like your take on a lot of things…
Lurking for a long time now. 32 yo with secondary infertility. TTC for 4 yrs, 3 miscarriages, the latest one over Christmas after our 3rd IUI. Waiting for AF to return and enjoying our 5 yr old in the meantime.
Love the blog, especially the Friday roundup. Thank you so much for your hard work.
I’m here! I sometimes lurk and sometimes comment. I’ve been reading your blog and those I’ve found through the blogroll and LFCA for about a year now. After 3 IUIs in 2011, my husband and I are expecting twins in May. I’m holding my breath until I can hold them in my arms – after witnessing losses by several close friends IRL and of course many in the blogosphere, I still don’t feel like we’re out of the woods. But, am praying and doing my best to take care of these babies in anticipation of day I get to bring them home.
I’m here!
38, live in Minneapolis. Had three miscarriages…then my daughter who is now 4, then another miscarriage…then my son now 13 months. I work full time, read 4 or 5 blogs regularly, always have 3 or 4 books going at once and let my much more capable husband handle most of the shopping and cooking.
Hey hey! I’m here! Just had my first ART consult to start IVF at the end of February. Loving this blog and all the great people/resources I’ve found through it! THANK YOU!
I’m here! I always read, and sometimes comment. Usually by the time I read, there’s so many comments that I know mine will get lost so I don’t bother.
For those who DO read this: I am a 34-year-old parent of a 9-month-old boy who was conceived after 6 years of trying. I’m a SAHM because I’m also a full-time student.
Long-time reader, infrequent poster. I’m the mother of a 10 month old girl. We tried for over 4 years to TTC, and finally had her after surgery for ovarian cysts, 1 miscarriage, 1 ectopic pregnancy, 3 clomid cycles, and 3 IVF cycles.
In addition to still being sleep-deprived, I work full-time in software design. I would want to be shortbread cookie dough!
Pssst…..I’m here.
Never knew such a thing as National Blog Delurking Week existed. Glad to know it does. Anonymity is such a burden….
Happy new year, Mel!!!
-Marci
Hey, Mel.
I’m here. I found you two years ago (?) through ICLW, which was very useful to me when Navigating Cyberloss was just getting started. I don’t know whether I’m doing it right, because I only have one regular commenter, but at least there’s one, and besides, it’s a niche topic.
Hoping to read some more quality posts from you as the year goes on. My favourite post of yours so far is probably the one where you announced the arrival of the family hamster, or Wolvog’s email from S.teve J.obs.
You must be an ace mum, and you’re definitely an ace person/blogger.
Casey
I’m here! I rarely comment, but that’s just my personality.
While I was still engaged to my now-husband, I experienced my first two miscarriages, and they were followed up by two more once we started officially TTC, the most difficult one at 12.5 weeks. (I miscarried for the fourth time at on December 15th, at 7 weeks, the day before our wedding anniversary.) It’s looking more and more like I won’t get a definitive diagnosis, either, just unexplained infertility. I started reading infertility blogs after my second miscarriage when I realized something more serious might be wrong, and this has been one of my favorites for a long time. I always read the Friday Roundup. It’s nice to read different perspectives, particularly before I have to brave Facebook and the barrage of friends I can’t hide with statuses about their toddlers, newborns, and effortlessly uncomplicated eighth pregnancies…
As for the cookie question, I’d probably say sugar cookie dough. I just love making them for everyone I know during the holidays, even though I didn’t feel like doing much or going out this year.
Present.
I am here and often want to comment on your posts that impact me the hardest. I cook up responses in my head but they rarely hit the keys. Makes me sad that I can rip off the cheap, quick comment to some posts and leave the ones I treasure the most blank. You know what I mean?
Your posts sit with me and make me think.
I’m always here.
You cannot get rid of me, no matter how hard you try!
Chocolate chip cookie, not too many chips, milk chocolate chips.
I’m here!
For the first time ever
I’ve been doing the infertility blog rounds this week and found myself here. I have PCOS and DH has MFI, we miraculously got pg once (after TTC 9 months) on our own after a specialist told us we should skip straight to IVF. Now we’ve been TTC#2 for 10 months. And it’s break time and then probably on to IUI. I think.
And I am definitely a lurker, but thank God there are so many great sites and blogs out there for me to lurk on!
I’m here!
Started TTC in 2007, stopped TTC April 2010 with 1 IVF and 3 miscarriages (1st and 2nd trimester) inbetween. Now picking up the pieces after my partner left in April 2011.
I lurk here every day and am so grateful I found this community!
I’m here! You’re blog and this community have helped me not feel so alone in this IF journey this last year since I found you. Thank you!
I’m 35 yrs young/old (depends on the day) American-Finn who has been living in Finland for the last 12+ years. After 3,5 years of TTC (a few IUIs & 3 IVFs), I am finally 8wks pregnant. We’re also buying a new home that will be ready in 5-ish months. Scary and exciting times ahead!
As for cookie dough, chocolate chip (without nuts) is the first that comes to mind. *Drool*
p.s. I’ve just started Life from Scratch.
Hello! I’m here! I’ve been lurking around here for a couple months.
I have PCOS and my hubby has MFI. I’m a 29 year old Buddhist, live in sunny Southern California and we’ve been ttc our first for about 3 years. We moved onto IUI with Clomid and HMG starting last November.
If I were a cookie dough I would end up being a ninja gingerbread cookie. lol.
Here! Just finished our first IVF cycle after nearly 3 years of working on our baby making skills. Luckily my RE’s baby making skills are better than our’s
Hi! *waves* I’m here. Always reading, and commenting when I feel that I can add to the discussion. You and Keiko over at Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed we’re the first two blogs that I stumbled across in my search for online support with infertility. It took me a while to de-lurk but I’m here and proud to be a contributing member whenever possible.
Hubby and I are at the 3 year mark in TTC. I love the resources that you have worked so hard to create for us. I appreciate all the hard work you do for this community.
Hi! De-lurking as commanded ^_^ I don’t usually comment because I’m not really part of the ALI community. I found your blog while doing research for my SIL who was (and still is) having trouble getting pregnant. I am currently in week 17 of my first pregnancy.
Hi! hi! I am here. My hubs and I are in the 21st cycle of trying. We had an unsuccessful IUI and are moving on to IVF. I am so thankful for this community and thankful for you putting so much time and effort into this!
I’m here! I am currently gearing up for another donation, set to retrieve in February. I am so grateful to have been welcomed into this community!
Happy Birthday Gail and Loribeth!
I’m not much of a lurker – well, here anyway. I’m also not much of a blogger. But I do enjoy reading. A lot.
Something about me…well, I’ve put all that baby-making stuff behind me, except for every day when my daughter says she wishes I was growing a baby in my belly, or says it looks like I’m growing a baby in my belly. I’m old, my eggs are decrepit, and my body doesn’t like to provide good home for fetuses anyway. So, moving on with my one miracle girl, I mostly just spew out whatever is bothering me onto my blog. Once a month or so.
I’m here. And while I have no idea what kind of cookie dough I’d be, I sure would like some to eat right now. Wonder if I could get hubby to pick some up…
I’m here and waving at you
I’m 31, just beginning my first IVF cycle and been TTC for 2 years – but you knew that
I also love to write, cook, rock out, eat, and play angry birds. All other knowledge is trivial.
OH, and I am a oatmeal, chocolate chip cookie, underbaked please.
Hi! I’m Here!! I have no idea how I found you, but am glad that I did. I live in Alabama with my sweet husband and 2 fur-children (Logan and Daisy). I’ve struggled with IF for about a year and a half, seen a RE for 8 months, and just switched to another clinic. My husband is a testicular cancer survivor. After my first HSG, they saw that I had a septate uterus and removed that in September. We’ve only been able to complete one IUI (which ended in a Chemical) because I seldom ovulate–even on stimulation drugs.
I’m so glad to be here and lurking!! =)
I’m here. What a great idea! Thanks for writing =)
I’m not a member of the ALI community. I found your blog when looking for advice for supporting friends who lost twins conceived through IVF after years and years of infertility.
I don’t comment because I don’t think I have anything to add, given my lack of experience with infertility or loss. I will say that I undoubtedly count my blessings more often as a consequence of being exposed to many of the voices around here.
To clarify, I mean that I take my health and children less for granted!
Here!
I am a 35 year old Texan who is living child free after 6 years TTC. I am a daily lurker.
I’m here!! But I’ve not really been lurking around. I’m a child loss mommy. I have two older living children and then my last born child Calypso lived for 23 days before dieing of complications of NEC an intestinal infection
Hello
I’m here.
I am here as well. Little Guy is almost 2, and I have a goal to try for a second child later this year. Hopefully it will work out. But first, I need to lose about 30-40 pounds. That is the challenge..
I’m here, I’m here!!! I’ve changed my blog so I don’t always see updates any more. But I’m still a regular visitor. Work has sucked me dry, it seems like my blogging has suffered.
RPL girl at heart, always….but now just matched with a potential adoption. It’s been quite a bumpy ride, she’s due any time, and we’re holding our breath that things calm down and we finally become parents. Only time will tell…
I’m here, always, but you know that.
Normally I would choose oatmeal chocolate chip, but right now as I get over this stomach flu, I barely managed to eat a bagel and some fruit today, so even imaginary cookie dough is yucky.
Lurker for years now. Started reading during one off my 7 IVFs and during my failed BM match. Live w/my husband of 10 years in the burbs of Chgo. Childfree but not by choice
Love your blog.
I am the ultimate lurker – I never, never post a comment on anyone’s blog.
I am 34 years old and have been TTC for one and 1/2 yrs. Just finished unsuccessful IVF #1 and waiting to start IVF #2.
Oh yeah, and I’m a Perinatologist so all day every single day I congratuate newly pregnant women on their (usually) heathly pregnancies while I do their ultrasound. It’s a very odd and specific kind hell I created for myself having not anticipating issues with infertility when I chose my specialty. Oh well.
Being a doctor (and an OB/Gyn) I would never have thought I would feel/need support from infertility blogs but I really, really appreciate everyone out there who blogs about their experience! It is so helpful when I’m sitting around at night wondering if any of this is ever going to work.
I’m an occasional lurker, and am back today! Nothing of import to say (except after 3 failed IVF cycles, I’m giving up. I’m 46 so just can’t go on), gotta write a long overdue post on my own blog…
Hi ya…
Newly 34 (and according to my RE, a “spring chicken” in his line of work…). Still not knocked up after 15 cycles. Grumpy today, but mostly good.
Started blogging on the infertility journey (mostly for my own future memory retrieval) in October 2011.
Hi there! I’m here. Still reading.
I’d be a chocolate kiss cookie, I think. Well, wait a minute, if I was a lump of dough, then I’d be the peanut buttery ball waiting to go into the nice warm oven. The kiss comes after.
I’m here ( shyly raises hand half way up). I was told unceremoniously by a dear bloggy friend Lifeslurper to get my arse over here and join the wonderful community. I’m kind of a lurker on your blog cos I don’t comment that often, mainly cos I feel a kind of awed intimidation to you and any published author (face is red right now from such an admission).
Am in Australia and Have been blogging since 2009 when we made the decision to move away from using my own dodgy eggs (I have a unicornuate uterus am a low responder to IVF drugs and have a blood disorder factor v Leiden) go to Thailand to have a donor cycle with a Thai donor. We were lucky enough to have a son from our first donor cycle but have had 2 failed cycles (one fresh, one FET) in the past 4 months. We have 3 more frozen embryos but I’m taking a 6 month break to refresh physically, emotionally and financially before trying another FET.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the work you have done for us, I would have been lost without you and the wonderful girls I have met.
Hi, my name is Jen (formerly Janey at Journey of Hope). I’m a semi-lurker but trying to break the habit and comment more!
After a long history of wonky cycles I was thrilled when my first daughter was born in 2007. But a miscarriage in February 2009 was followed by 18 months secondary IF, inconclusive PCOS ‘diagnosis’, and struggling to be normal while carrying a whole lot of unresolved grief based on trying to believe people who said early losses just weren’t meant to be.
Counselling and clomid eventually put us back on track and our rainbow baby girl was born in June 2011.
Reading these comments has put tears in my eyes at the litany of grief, loss, tragedy, joy, hope… Thank you Mel for a safe space where all these realities can have a voice.
I’m here!
I’m 33 years old (The Hubs is 35, nearly 36) and we’ve been TTC for 8 years. I have PCOS, Type II Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Chronic Hyperplasia, etc, etc. No pregnancies. Currently on a forced break to lose weight. Considering telling our RE bye-bye, since he’s really been no help to us and has allowed us to do no treatment in the 2 years we’ve been seeing him. We’re moving on to adoption through foster care, although we aren’t giving up on hopefully doing more treatment sometime. Currently waiting on our invite to IMPACT training classes and beginning our homestudy.
My cookie flavour? Oh, I’d be Snickerdoodle for sure. Innocent looking enough on the outside, but with spice sneakily awaiting inside!
Hiya!
Nothing too exciting in my corner of the world…
But I think I’d be a white chocolate cranberry biscotti (that counts as a cookie, right?)
:p
Happy Birthday loribeth!
I forgot to add that one of my birthday presents was finding out that my younger sister is having a baby girl and is using the name that I’d picked out if we ever had a girl. Oh, and she got pregnant within a few months of trying. Been 2 1/2 years for us with nothing to show for it. Trying to be a happy and supportive older sister, but it isn’t easy.
I’m a fan of chocolate chip cookie dough (raw) or the peanut butter with hershey kiss cookies (baked).
long time stalker first time commenter!!!! Loved your post the other day, amazing that you were able to put my heat into words on your blog!
Hello! I was drawn here by your amazing book, Life from Scratch. I stay because you’re so. darn. funny. I am not part of the infertility community, but it has been interesting to understand a bit more about the subject. And I am now vicariously in love with your children.
I’m here and read most of your posts but not comment so often. Have a new blog so will send you the updates in the next couple of days
Hi!
I’m here for the second year. I just found this community this time last year when you asked us all to delurk. Since then, I launched my own blog, and have had been through two failed IVF cycles. Just did the first stims for IVF 3.0 last night. I’m so glad to have found this community and all the wonderful supportive people within it!
Thanks to your Blog roll and Creme de la Creme list, I am now following several infertility blogs (and lurking here) and have started publishing my own blog. Ever time I read or post, I feel a weight is lifting off my shoulders. So happy to have found such a large community of people who know exactly what I’m going through!
I’m here, sometimes lurker and occasional commenter. I’m 40 with stage 4 endo and high FSH. Started TTC in 2008, did 3 rounds of traditional IVF and had a miscarriage. Then did 3 rounds of mini-ivf and had a beautiful little boy who is now 11 months old. Your blog roll helped me find a great deal of support during this process. Thank you.
I love this. It’s so nice to “meet” all these people that lurk!
And sadly, I’m probably more of a lurker than a non-lurker, so I need to work on that. I’m 32 and have had 4 miscarriages in the last 2 years and currently trying for the 5th (and most likely last no matter what the outcome is) pregnancy. Then we’ll go from there. This community has been incredible, and I found it all because of you. So thank you, Mel. Thank you so much!
Also, as much as I love baking and sweets, I’m just not a cookie fan for some reason. Maybe because it’s so hard to find good ones. Perhaps I should work on that….
I’m here most of the times. I do not comment every time I should, but then it’s a silly thing of mine, always wary that I say the wrong thing. But I am here, and I read lot.
The only good thing about waiting so long for the next Rachel adventure is that I get to read both Life from Scratch (which I got and read one year ago) and its sequel in one go, as a whole.
Cookie dough? Naah, I am tiramisu, espressoed cheesy lady fingers through and through.
I’m here! Love your blog, Mel, and truly appreciate what you do for the community. I can’t wait to read Life From Scratch!
I’m a chocolate chip cookie girl, definitely. I would take them over any other type of sweet.
My ALI qualifications are 2 losses, TTC 2+ yrs, septum, endo, etc.
I’ve been reading for a while (probably close to 2 years! wow!) but have never commented… sorry
After 1.5 years of trying and a miscarriage we were just blessed with our beautiful baby girl in September!
present and accounted for, though not a lurker!
mmmm…. cookie dough…
Love this post & all the comments!
I’m here. I have posted a couple times, but I’m not a regular poster. Does that make me a regular lurker? Not sure.
I’m trying to survive the aftermath of an early miscarriage. I found out last week at my 9 week u/s that our baby no longer had a heartbeat. This was my first IVF cycle. I’m attempting to heal, physically and emotionally. We will move forward with another FET when we are able (i.e. when AF decides to show).
As others have said, thank you for what you have done for this community. For giving us a place to connect, to vent, to just be. <3
I stumbled on your blog post looking for a way to see who has me on their blogroll. Always a thrill to see a link leading from someone else’s blog roll to mine. I love this idea. Thank you for the permission to steal your image. I’m going to do this tomorrow on my blog!!
I like long walks in the park, walking by the lake…..
I hate rude people and people who chew in my ear on the phone
Nice to meet you.
*waves hand frantically in the air to draw your attention* HERE!! HERE!! HERE!!
But I cant call myself a lurker since I do manage to comment from time to time!
As for cookie dough, lets go with good old chocolate chip, since its the best to eat raw
Here! Feeling like a high maintenance soft baked oatmeal raisin pecan cookie today.
I’m 41, and I have had one miscarriage (at 13 weeks) and have one son who is 5 years old. I cannot have another biological child.
I would be the dough of those heavenly salted caramel cookies you made me for my 40thme birthday. No contest.
Hi! *waves*
Hi Mel,
I’ve awarded “Stirrup-Queens” the Versatile Blogger Award. The “ceremony” took place today when my post went up.
http://themidlifesecondwife.com/2012/01/12/and-the-versatile-blogger-award-goes-to/
Congratulations!
-Marci
I’m here. I’m here a lot. Your blog has been and continues to be very important to me
I’m here! Thanks for all you do for the ALI community!
hallo
i’m not a lurker, although i guess i don’t comment all that frequently. i love your blog- you manage to articulate so eloquently, and your love of people shines through. your sense of humour rocks too
i got married and moved to india a year ago, and have been stumbling around since then trying to reconfigure my place in the universe.
cookie dough? um, anything chocolate chip i guess..
I’m here, though I am an infrequent commenter. I’d like to welcome lurkers on *my* blog to delurk, as that’s how you will (eventually) get to see pictures of the baby we are hoping will be placed with us Very Shortly.
Hi! Sending love from Vancouver, Canada! My RE tipped me off to you about 3 years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since.
I’m here and (as you know) have been pretty regularly since sometime around the summer of 2007 after someone found my blog and submitted news of one of our failed IVF cycles to the LFCA.
P.S. I just read comment #111 and think it is so awesome that someone’s RE told them about you! That is really pretty darn cool that even doctors know about and refer people to our Stirrup Queen!
It took me a little while to get going and comfortable exploring, reaching out and getting connected in this community. Then after our daughter Molly was born and died I entered a bit of a fog, followed by the birth of our rainbow baby Abigail which added some more fog. About a year ago the fog started to lift and I haven’t stopped writing and feeling inspired to write and share more since.
I only wish I could find/make more time read and comment on others’ blog more than I do. So I appreciate things like this that give me that extra push to check in and comment. You know I LOVE YOU and EVERYTHING you do for our ALI Community to challenge us, help us learn, grow, connect and support each other through some of the best and worsts experiences in our lives.
So thank you again Mel, really I can never thank you enough for all you have taught me through your words, your advice and your great example. xoxo
P.P.S Not sure why my P.S. in my last post ended up as the 2nd paragraph, instead of at the end?! Probably one of many signs that I am up way past my bedtime and should go to sleep now…
I’m here. Mostly lurking. Old blogger, trying out a new space now that most of the ttc and medical drama is in the past and I can focus on just the Mom thing a little more.
I’ve been here off and on for the last 5 years. Three miscarriages, 3 IUIs, 2 IVFs, 3 FETs and 1 failed adoption later, I am still not a practicing mom. Oh yeah. So, I keep on…
I actually read your book before I found your blog and am de-lurking only because you made me.
Hi! I’m here. I’ve been here, oh, pretty much forever (2006? Don’t remember anymore). I’ve been a shit commenter and shit blogger lately, but at your insistence, I’m outing myself, breaking my shitty-commenter streak, and waving at you.
In case anyone cares, I’m a mama after male factor infertility to twin boys, born June 2010 (currently 18 months), after our first IVF/ICSI cycle. I dealt with PCOS prior to that but exercised/medicated the shit out of it to the point that it wasn’t necessarily a factor (per my RE) when we finally got around to doing an IVF cycle. I’m insanely tired and insanely busy and I don’t blog much anymore, though I sometimes wish I could change that and get back into the swing of things and reconnect with my community. I miss it.
Anyhow. Delurking… who ever thought I’d be in a position to call myself a lurker?? Ah, well. It is what it is, no?
Must dash … just wrote a post about lack of time!
Here. I’m a newish reader. I’m a 32 yr old TTC after a partial molar preg and a chem preg. Thankful to have found your blog.
Late to this, but chiming in to say : HERE
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