Friday, June 21, 2013

infertility link-up...and serious Man Fashion.

Today I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner for a little show-and-tell about everyone's favorite topic: INFERTILITY! And the crowd goes...um, well, not so wild. Whatever. So-- regular peeps-- I'm just going to do a quick intro/infertility bio and then I'll get back to your regularly scheduled programing. If you don't wanna listen to me rehash the sob story...scroll on down and I'll meet up with you in a minute.

Soo...hello, new people! If you're here cause you're experiencing infertility, then I'll start by saying I'm sorry and it sucks and I wish you didn't have to know what it was like...but finding people in my same boat to commiserate, swap stories, and cry with (as well as laugh, congratulate, and vent frustrations to!) has been one of the best things to happen to me during my rather lengthy journey towards building a family. And now I'm going to stop wasting time and being awkward and hokey and get down to the nitty-gritty brief overview of my IF story.

My husband and I have been TTC for 4.5 years. In 2010 we were diagnosed with severe male-factor infertility. We had three failed IUIs in late 2010. In 2012 I was diagnosed with stage III endometriosis and diminished ovarian reserve. Last August I had the laparoscopy/hysteroscopy/D&C to clean out the endo; in December, Matt underwent surgery to repair some of the veins and varicoceles causing his sperm abnormality. We have been told since 2011 that our only option to achieve pregnancy will be IVF, which may be true. It has certainly proven true thus far, but we hold fast to hope in our God of miracles and pray that there may be one for us someday. We may still choose to do IVF at some point- right now we are still 'waiting and seeing' as Matt's body continues to improve its capabilities post-surgery...and mine seems to get worse by the month. We are also actively pursuing private adoption. We desire a child more than a pregnancy and will be absolutely thrilled no matter what route our family grows through.

For extra credit, you could read the unabridged version of our TTC story. I have handy little categories for my posts regarding infertility in general (both ours and...you know, REALLY general...) and endometriosis. Sometimes I'm full of hope. Sometimes I'm teetering on the edge of despair. Sometimes I write you letters and tell you how it really feels. Frequently I overshare. Although my medical experiences and treatments are far, far less extensive than many IFers, I do my best to share information in hopes that the things I've learned along the way can help someone else. 

Although infertility tries hard to become my whole life and absorb all of my brain, I do my best to fight back, so I don't blog about only infertility. My husband and I are currently beating our bodies into submission and training for a triathlon, which is pretty laughable since we're not exactly athletic. I also have a deep passion for gardening, cotton candy, manatees, and reality TV, so I try to focus on those things (instead of sperm fragmentation) on occasion. 

So...that's kinda me in a nutshell. Feel free to stick around for the ride (and contact me if you have any questions) if you think you can handle my long-windedness! I promise that sometimes I'm funny...it's kind of like your prize for reading all of my words. Or at least that's how I think of it.

BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BLOGGING.

 So on Wednesday afternoon we decided to stop by the pool on our way home from work for a quick swim. Let's be honest: it was no less miserable than last time. Something tells me that 30 years of drinking daiquiris by the pool did not give me the swimming skillz necessary for this tri. Bah. But anyway, we did it. And didn't die, which felt like an accomplishment. After getting done with our laps, we hopped back in the car for the 10 minute ride home. It is important to note that we weren't really pool-ready for this excursion. We hadn't thought past throwing our swimsuits in the car that morning, so we didn't have any other clothes to put on besides our work clothes...and since it was such a quick ride home, we didn't see any reason to put work clothes back onto our wet bodies. We just hopped in the car in our wet suits and went on our merry way.

You can see where this is going, right?

Of course we needed gas. Of course we did! Of course the gas light was on and we'd gone like 20 more miles than we ever get on a tank...there was no way we could not stop for gas.

Matt bravely pulled up alongside the pump at the gas station in our small town. 

"I really do not want to get out of the car. I really canNOT get gas like this..." he whined. Ever the assuring wife, I was all "sure you can, babe! You got this! No one will even notice or care! No one pays attention to other people at a gas station! Just hurry and do it!!" 

I could write the textbook for How To Be a Supportive Wife, right?

And also probably the one for How To Be a Jerk Wife...because as soon as he was out and pumping, I was all over that mess...paparazzi-style. 


 
These were the best shots I could get because shockingly, Matt wasn't terribly enthused at me falling out of the car trying to get pictures. There may or may not have been a slight wrestling match over the phone, but luckily I prevailed. Because the world needed to see this. It was too amazing not to share. The avant-guard way he paired those striped swim trunks (ON TREND!) with the business-y shoe and sensible sock? Amazing. This man needs his own Fashion Week.

As I was hooting and crying with laughter, he was pouting that no one wears dress shoes with a bathing suit. I tried to make him feel better by reminding him that yes some people do. Miss America contestants. I don't think it helped.

After awhile he forgave me for my raucous laughter and abundant joy over his silly outfit. I offered to delete the picture from Instagram. He said I didn't have to. I gave him about 24 hours, and then I asked if I could put it on my blog. I said "THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE IT! PEOPLE LOVE TO LAUGH!" and he said he had to think about it. An hour later, he said I could put it on the blog. For you. Because he knows I like to make people laugh. And he's a damn good husband like that.

So there you have it. I hope you're able to make equally amazing fashion statements yourself this weekend...or find someone else doing it and subtly take a picture. If you want to express your appreciation for Matt's willingness to take one for the team here, I would suggest leaving a nice haiku or perhaps a stock market tip for him in the comments. You know. Something he would enjoy. Because after I thanked him for letting me post these pics, he said "YOU OWE ME BIG TIME," so...help a sister out.

24 comments:

  1. Sadly I have no brilliant tips for Matt, but way to be a good sport! Also, you have been drinking daiquiris by the pool for 30 years?! Your parents didn't see a problem with giving you alcohol as an infant?!

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  2. Oh my gosh- I saw this pic of Matt on IG and am so glad to have now read the blow by blow about how this happened :). So funny!!

    On another note. I hate IF. And how didn't I know that you have DOR? Boo!! :(

    Lastly, Happy Friday, my friend!! xoxo

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  3. Matt gets gas wearing
    Just swim trunks, crowd goes insane
    Blog readers applaud.

    Haiku writing sucks.
    I laughed so hard at this post, Rachel also laughed.

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  4. Blargh. The line "Rachel also laughed" showed up on a separate line in the comment reply part. That was supposed to be two haikus for you and Matt.

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  5. Allison totally stole my comment. I too was concerned about your 30 years of daiquiri drinking. So instead, here's a haiku:

    Matt, Matt, he's all that.
    Banker, swimmer, pumping gas
    Always good for laughs.

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  6. I think as payback you should let Matt take a picture of you in a swimsuit plus his socks/work shoes... sounds fair to me?

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  7. 30 years of daiquiries... you're mom should be ashamed. ; )

    Matt's a really good sport. And kudo's to you for thinkng fast with the Miss America bit... point to Erika. Do y'all keep score? You should.

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  8. In Matt's defense, it is the first day of Summer so that means it is perfectly appropriate to run around town in a swimsuit. And I think he's started a new trend, before we know it everyone will be rocking business-swim casual.

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  9. I'm glad I'm not the only one concerned about your daiquiri intake...makes me look at sippy cups in a whole new light now. I knew your family sounded like fun, but I had no idea they were THAT fun! (No, seriously, I've wondered more than a few times if your parents were open to adopting an adult...)

    Matt, you are a good man. And a great sport! Thank you for letting Erika share these pictures with us; think of all of the smiles you've helped create today! A great, and highly appropriate, way to celebrate this first day of summer! :-)

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  10. AAAAHAHAHAHA! Love it!!

    Somehow I missed that you were pursing adoption, too. Exciting!

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear your IF story. I'll be praying for your miracle too! And what an awesome husband, with a great sense of style!

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  12. nice!!! I did not know you were pursuing adoption, love that!!! Awesome job on the laps :) You are going to rock the tri, can't wait to hear about it!

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  13. heehee! Love the trunks w/business shoes and socks :) I am glad that Matt cares so much for all of your adoring fans!

    Business socks with trunks
    when worn with such confidence
    bring smiles to faces

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  14. I didn't know you have DOR and I didn't know you are pursuing adoption!! I guess I missed that somewhere along the way... I've been thinking a lot about private adoption myself. I can't wait to hear how things turn out for you.

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  15. I found your blog via the KK link-up today. I'm a newlywed and we haven't gotten to the serious baby talk yet, but I feel like I see so many things about infertility nowadays that I want to be prepared in case it happens to us - especially because I have always had some health issues myself. I'm in Georgia and a UGA Grad too. Go Dawgs! Your about me cracks me up because it sounds like me. I'm following and look forward to more posts!

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  17. Yet another hilarious post Eirka (re. dress shoes and swim trunks).

    Happy Friday and first day of summer to the two of you.
    :)

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  18. You should check Covenant Care Adoption Agency here in Athens Ga. I'm on the board of directors, we would love to have you!!!

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  19. HAHAHA - had to read the part about your husband pumping gas in his swim shorts/dress shoes to my husband... he has these boxers he wears around the house that are really too short & sometimes he whines about having to go get something out of my car for me... LOL... I figured he might feel better knowing Matt had to pump gas in swim trunks & dress shoes! :)

    THANK YOU, Matt, for letting her share!! :)

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  20. Wishing you success on your path to family building! You have a terrific/healthy outlook on this whole crazy IF thing! We struggled with MFI and did end up doing IVF, but God is so good and we went on to conceive 2 more kiddos on our own afterwards! I still send the clinic a Christmas card every year!!! I like to tell them that the cost for Mary Catherine went down with each subsequent healthy conception! LOL Best Wishes.

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  21. OMG!!! Since I fail at keeping up with blogs on time lately, let me just say thank you for my Monday morning laugh. :) This. was. awesome. Kudos to Matt for 1) sporting this winning combo and 2) allowing you to share it with the world. :)

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  22. So glad to find your blog......Loved reading your story

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  23. Hahaha! Matt, we love you. We really do.

    And also, Erika, kudos on the Miss America comment. Genius.

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  24. Your story gives me hope. On day 10 of my IVF medication, first cycle. Mom has stage IV lung and brain cancer. In a race to make her a grandma, and blogging about it here: http://megandewitt.blogspot.com/

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