The Making of a Mommy: My Happy Places

Monday, October 6, 2008

My Happy Places

I love to take pictures. I especially love photographing things like sunsets and beaches -- they are my "happy places." For the moment, I'll take a break from writing and share some shots I've taken over the last few years. When I need a break from things, I'll just look at the pictures and click my heels three times....

4 comments:

Nichole said...: Your pictures are amazing!; October 6, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Nikki said...: Lovely pictures Lauren!

I love beaches too - I love water!; October 6, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Anonymous said...: Those are so good! I love looking through my pictures. It's such an escape. Now looking at yours...I think I need a vacation!!; October 7, 2008 at 2:01 AM
Melanie said...: You pictures are beautiful!!!!! I love them! I love taking pictures also. It's like a stress reliever for me. Thank you for your comment. I am excited about adoption. I try to be an example of faith but sometimes I don't think I do a very good job. I hope things are well for you!; October 26, 2008 at 10:48 PM

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Where We've Been....

July 2001 -- Mike and I start dating (a long-distance relationship with 4.5 hours between us -- lots of weekend driving).
February 2003 -- Mike is diagnosed with lymphoma. He banks his sperm twice before beginning chemo, radiation, and having a bone-marrow transplant (he has 13 vials). He spends over a year recovering and rebuilding his strength and immune system.
December 2003 -- Mike proposes and we get engaged!
November 2004 -- We get married, and shortly thereafter I move the 4.5 hours to be with him -- no more long-distance romance!
September 2006 -- Mike is diagnosed with a recurrence of his cancer and begins several months of radiation treatment. Three weeks after getting the cancer news, we are blessed with a phone call from a relative saying we can begin our search for an IVF clinic -- the attempt will be taken care of, free of charge.
December 2006 -- we have our first consultation with our RE, and she recommends IVF over IUI, due to our limited sperm supply.
April/May 2007 -- We plunge into our first IVF attempt, but it does not work. We are left with five frozen embies, in addition to 12 vials of sperm.
June 2007 -- I am just weeks away from starting estrace to prepare for a frozen embryo transfer when we find out Mike has another recurrence of cancer.
July 2007 -- Mike begins chemo, which continues until September.
November 2007 -- Mike returns to work!
March 2008 -- We're ready to try the FET! I begin estrace and monitoring.
April 2008 -- We transfer two embies, but again it does not work.
Summer 2008 - Fall 2011 -- We took a break until we could get health insurance that covers IVF, but more importantly until Mike tried to beat yet more cancer recurrences.
October 14, 2011 -- My world is shattered when Mike succumbs to cancer.
Present -- Trying to learn how to live without my best friend and lover. Trying to figure out what kind of future I can possibly have. Trying to decide if I will/can ever fulfill my dream of having a child.