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To celebrate Thanksgiving, I thought I’d post some thoughts about being thankful in the midst of infertility. I’m not thankful that I’m going through it, but I am thankful for some things in it.
I’m thankful I have a husband who constantly tells me loves me and reminds me that God loves me even more.
We decided early on in our IF journey that we would not let this harm our marriage. We’ve been so blessed that it’s actually brought us closer.
I’m thankful that I have the financial resources to pursue treatment.
We’re not rich and money can be tight, but we have been able to pay for treatment even though our insurance covers nothing. I’m well aware that finances are one of the main reasons some people do not pursue treatment, and this makes me even more grateful that I can.
I’m thankful that my RE’s office is only a 10-minute drive from our house and literally 30 seconds from my work.
I could walk from work to my RE’s office if I absolutely had to. I’ve read many accounts of couples driving hours each way to the RE, and I can’t imagine how that disrupts their lives.
I’m thankful that I live in a time where we have medical options.
My heart aches for the millions of women who suffered from infertility when there were no diagnoses and no treatment. I’m so sad for all of them who thought they were infertile due to a curse or God’s punishment. And I especially grieve for all the women who suffered the cultural stigma of infertility when, unbeknownst to them, the problem was male factor.
I’m thankful that my employer has allowed me to miss work for RE appointments without any kind of explanation or documentation required.
My work is very flexible when it comes to medical issues. I told my supervisor I’d be missing some meetings due to doctor’s appointments, and I asked if he needed a note or explanation. He said, “No explanation required. Your health is our top priority. Do what you need to do.” I’m a very private person, so this relieved a lot of anxiety.
I’m thankful that I’ve been welcomed into the infertility blogging community.
I’m so sad that other people are going through this painful experience of infertility, but I am also so glad that I don’t have to walk this road alone. I don’t talk about my infertility very much with my “real life” friends. It seems that you can’t really understand it if you haven’t experienced it. Every blogger I’ve interacted with has been friendly and supportive, and I appreciate every single comment that’s been left on my blog.
I’m thankful that God is in control.
I may not understand why I’m going through all this. That mystery might only be revealed to me on the other side of eternity. But I am thankful that one day it WILL make sense. I WILL see God’s purpose and I WILL see His plan in all of it. He is the ultimate giver of life, and I know He’s in control.
What can you be thankful for in your infertility? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Want to dive deeper into cultivating a sense of gratefulness? I highly recommend the Cultivate Gratitude / Write the Word Journal from Lara Casey. It features specially-selected verses for you to write out and plenty of additional space for journaling, prayers, or whatever is on your heart.
Love this list! I am thankful to have met so many wonderful and inspiring women during this journey!
Me too, Kasey. And you’re one of them. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Great minds think alike! Glad that you can see things to be thankful for even if you aren’t thankful for the infertility!
I just saw your post, Amanda. I love how you say towards that end that “some weeds flower.” So true! That’s a really great image that I’m going to try to hold onto in the coming months.
Great list girl!!!!
Thanks, Caroline. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Lisa! Love your list! I found you through Fertility Authority. I am one of their bloggers, too – and I love meeting other women going through the same struggles. I def. will be following your journey here. Thanks for pointing out things to be thankful for. God has really challenged me on that lately (I just finished my 2nd miscarriage, so I have really struggled with gratitude this time around). But your list resonated with me. I have many of the same ‘thanksgivings.’ It was a great reminder to me. Thanks for sharing! Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I pray God will grant you peace and comfort in the coming weeks and months. I just read your beautiful blog post on how you shared your testimony at your Thanksgiving service and I’m in awe of how you got up and shared about your miscarriage. God will indeed see you through this, and it looks like he’s already given you an incredible gift of courage.
This is a great list! I can related to every single item (plus a few extra minutes to the RE) but I often overlook these things. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the medical bills and medical decisions and sheer injustice of it all, I commend your ability to find the positives.
Thanks, Katie. I’m not always successful at remembering the things on this list during the hard days, but it was helpful for me to write them out and publish them. Blessings to you during your treatments, too.
Visiting from Decembers ICLW. Love your list! Jealous that your RE is only second from your work! You are a lucky girl!
Yes, I realize how lucky I am so have my RE so close. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Beautiful post. I haven’t struggled with infertility but I have many friends who have. Thanks for sharing! I’m dropping by from Faith Filled Friday. 🙂
Thank you. I was having a lot of trouble this Thanksgiving..
1. I was pregnant in March from our very first IUI- ended in miscarriage. I would have been delivering near Thanksgiving…
2. Thanksgiving was day 14 after our latest IUI… negative test. Stopped progesterone and waiting on my period.
I was really having problems being thankful for anything. This post showed me I have a lot more than most people do, to be thankful for…
Kimmie, I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriage in March. I, too, was pregnant very briefly in March from our first IVF cycle. It’s been rough for me to realize I’d be delivering about now, too. I’m also so sorry to hear about your latest negative test. I pray that 2015 will be a much better year for you. Many hugs and blessings to you.