Earlier this year, I wrote about how I found the journals I kept during my infertility treatment days, and thought there might be fodder in there for some retrospective posts, a la my "1998 Memories" series of posts from a 10-years-later perspective.
I'm fast approaching the "10 years later" mark for my last round of IUIs -- and our decision to remain childless/free -- so I figured I'd better get writing!
Here's a photo of my journals -- two of them, alike (although the second one is only about 1/3 full). The journal itself was made by Antioch Publishing, featuring artwok by an artist named Joyce Birkenstock. You can immediately see why it appealed to me, as the mother of one angel in heaven, hoping to have another with her here on this earth. : ) The journal came with a matching bookmark with a Bible verse: "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28). There are other Bible verses on the pages throughout.
On the inside front cover, I wrote my name, the date(s), and a title: "Babyquest." (!) Journal #1 covered September 1999 to June 2001 (which is actually the full span of our fertility workup & treatments). Diary #2 is dated June 2001, but the last entry is dated Oct. 16, 2001.
Below that, I wrote the names, addresses & contact information of my family dr, Dr. Ob-gyn, Dr. RE & the infertility counsellor we consulted. The next inside page was a sort of combination calendar/chart I drew up. Cycle #s ran across the top, cycle days down the side, & on various dates, I've written numbers & size ranges of follicles. IUI dates are circled & marked with a star.
I've also pulled out my datebooks from that time period to help me remember.
Here goes...! More to come soon...
Yikes - if it's too hard for you to relive the memories, I understand completely. I can't stomach seeing my medical files from my treatments.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely see why the cover would appeal. It's a very beautiful image too.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I look back at my notes/binders/notebook... I'm taken aback by how much there is, but at the same time so little there considering it spanned 4 years.
It'll be interesting to see how your perspective has changed in 10 years. I'm at the 7 1/2 year mark myself.
ReplyDeleteThat' something I wish I had done at the time. Of course, I recounted much in my blog. How did going back into them make you feel?
ReplyDeleteThat' something I wish I had done at the time. Of course, I recounted much in my blog. How did going back into them make you feel?
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance for sharing your journals with us. : )
ReplyDeleteI also had this comment from One-Hit Wonder, which got eaten by Blogger last weekend. :p Fortunately, I still had the notification e-mail & could copy it here! ; ) :
ReplyDeleteYikes - if it's too hard for you to relive the memories, I understand completely. I can't stomach seeing my medical files from my treatments.