Having Hope on a Fertility Journey

I know how overwhelming it can be when life takes unexpected turns, especially when you come to the fertility scene later in life, like in your 40s, and have been diagnosed with endometriosis. It's not what we had planned, and it feels like the dream of conceiving a child is slipping further away with each passing day.

A realistic fertility perspective

The world paints the picture of conceiving as an easy process, a matter of tracking your cycle for a couple of months. But our reality, living with endometriosis, is drastically different.

It often involves an entire medical team, countless medications, endless appointments, a mountain of paperwork, and an overwhelming amount of uncertainty. It's a road that demands vulnerability, resilience, and unwavering strength.

In my experience, this intense combination of emotions felt all-consuming most days. And if you’re reading this, maybe it does for you too. I know the emotional weight you carry as you put your heart and soul into something you desire so deeply yet understand that the outcome is ultimately beyond your control.

My fellow Endo sisters, you are not alone

It's a vulnerable road to walk, but you are not alone. I walk alongside you, feeling the same fears, hopes, and dreams. We all are walking alongside one another. Not physically, but our hearts are together in this season of uncertainty.

As fellow Endo sisters, we know the challenges of living with an invisible condition, so the added loneliness of a fertility journey only compounds it. But I believe that it can also prompt us to come together and become even closer. It’s the tipping point where you finally decide to comment on the post, ask a vulnerable question, or simply hold space for one another.

This community here of our fellow Endo sisters is where we gather strength and comfort in our shared experiences. This is where we can fuel our hope.

Refueling our hope

The path for each of us may be different. Even our own path may look different from what we anticipated. But together we hold the space for these shared dreams of motherhood.

There are highs and lows – both of which are unpredictable too. And then there’s the rollercoaster of emotions prompted by the fact that your hormones are getting hijacked by the ever-changing medication protocol.

I share this today because I want to remind you (and me!) that it's okay to feel the full rainbow of emotions. Our emotions need to be felt. But we continue to come back to our community here to refuel our hope.

I once heard it described as putting one foot in front of the other, “with hope as your compass and resilience as your armor.” I would just add in your invisible army of Endo sisters here as your support system, we understand the struggles and the tears through the journey. And we are also cheering you on, because you, sis, are having the courage to go for what your heart is desiring. I’m cheering you on!

If this resonated with you, please share what brings you hope and comfort in your fertility journey below.