To my inferfility Inner Circle

Please treat me as though I am in crisis. I am. I can and will cry at the drop of a hat. I am sad, angry, scared, excited, hopeful, worried, and nervous.

Please DO NOT tell me that you know how I feel unless you, yourself, have endured infertility. This is more difficult on me than you know

Please treat me with kid gloves, as I am hanging on by a very thin emotional thread

Please see that everything is not business as usual in my life, household and heart.

Please call, write, or send me an e-mail. Please understand if i don't always answer.

Please permit me a clear calendar and excuse my involvement in other activities, as my days are filled with tests, results, endless appointments, phone calls, decisions, physical discomfort, and fatigue.

Please excuse my lack of interest in everything else. Remember what I said about crisis?

Please take my other children for a fun afternoon; they suffer when I am no longer fun.

Please give me permission to do what I need to do, be it laugh, cry, sit around, or be really, really active in something

Remember that my husband is overwhelmed and in need of support as well!

Please think before you speak, if in doubt...just say you are sorry I am hurting...please do not minimise my loss, pain or grief with meaningless platitudes.

And never, ever, question me on why I bother...or ask why I don't just "be happy with what i have". I love my life and my child...would you ever let go of your child or the joy they bring you...if not, why should I.

Please dont ask me to justify why i am upset or sad or criticise me when i try to vent my feelings. Sometimes, I just need a shoulder.

Please let me know that you are supporting me even if the cycle tanks. That is my biggest fear and the hardest thing to talk about.

Please remind me that I am strong enough to endure this, as I am sure to forget along the way.

Please don't tell me to just relax...or suggest different getting pregnant tips...if you've heard it...then so have I...and I have tried it and it has failed. If a simple trick would work..I would not be doing what i am doing.

Please don't ask me if I am pregnant. If and when that occurs, I will sing it from the highest rooftop.