P.O.F The Journey

It has been an absolute honor to lend my voice to the premature ovarian syndrome online community with my personal experience. There aren’t enough voices for ladies who get thrown into this wilderness of hormones, so I hope that as my journey of exposure ends in this episode, many more will begin theirs and break the mold of isolation in the world of premature ovarian failure.  Music in this episode is from the Free Music Archive featuring Scott Holmes and Kesta  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode

When infertility strikes, having the right partner by your side makes a great difference. In this episode my husband and I talk about navigating some of the situations that premature ovarian failure has brought our way. It is a very little glimpse into the complexities of supporting each other through a treacherous experience.

Last year my sister and I embarked on a long journey to have a child. It was the most beautiful experience in this Premature Ovarian Failure story despite not coming out of it with a baby. My sister, Charley, selflessly offered to be my egg donor and stick with me every step of the way, nudging me coward even when it meant her sacrificing a whole lot. Here’s to the hero that literally saved the day - or - the year! I hope all POF mommas have someone in their lives who loves them so very much and is willing to show it, perhaps not by being their egg donor but in whatever way they need it.  Music in this episode is from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/ and Music from Pixabay

Talking to my husband’s mom about the prospect premature ovarian failure brings of not having grandkids is always a difficult conversation to have, but I am so very grateful she is always willing to have it - so much so, that she is having it with me on the podcast. May her strength bring all POF grand mommas strength to have the conversation with their children. Music in this episode is free music for non - commercial use  from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Premature ovarian failure does not only affect me and my husband and only our ability to have children. It affects our loved ones ability to have genetic nieces, nephews, cousins and grandkids. In the next few episodes I will have some of the people in our lives who are affected by our circumstances to hear what’s on mind ... but also, to give all POF mommas who are struggling with talking about this with their friends and family the courage and to speak up especially with those that are important to them. It’s important to have these conversations with your loved ones about premature ovarian failure, they too feel things about our diagnosis and you can support each other’s journey to acceptance and clarity on what to do next. Music in this episode is free music for non - commercial use  from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

Today, Stephanie and I continue our P.O.F talk, trying the best we can to explore the unique circumstances we each have to navigate while living with premature ovarian failure; from disclosing the diagnosis to loved ones, comments people make and think are helpful but are actually hurtful, to what the future may hold for us when it comes to babies.  Be sure to check out the following resources https://www.daisynetwork.org for support with premature ovarian failure/insufficiency  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dovecote/617464598353169?fref=ts for involuntary childlessness support.  Music in this episode is free music for non - commercial use  from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

In this episode, I have an honest, open and authentic conversation with Stephanie from the Facebook page 'JustOvaryActing' about our unique - but -  not so unique experiences with premature ovarian failure. In this first part of a two part conversation, we discuss our individual symptoms, experiences with doctors, and the rocky relationship with hormone replacement therapy we have to endure.  Music in this episode is free music for non - commercial use  from https://www.fesliyanstudios.com

The physical effects of premature ovarian failure are so obvious to the naked eye, we sometimes forget the powerful emotional and mental residue it leaves in its path of destruction. In this episode I shine a little light on the "heroes and villains" of my story and take you down a journey from loss and rejection to hope and love, gaining a great army with whom to face the P.O.F giant. Music in this podcast includes; Free Archive Music - Waves by Pictures of the floating world, September & Augmentation by Kai Engel, and music from Fesliyan studios.

In this episode, I chat with Lisa Newton from Amateur Nester about navigating infertility as a christian. Lisa was diagnosed with a short luteal phase, a different form of infertility - but we are all infertility sisters. We go down Lisa's road that had 3 IUIs, and 3 IVF rounds, leading to a beautiful baby girl, and later a surprise natural bundle.  We discuss how important it is to hold on to our trust for God, understanding that infertility treatment is in itself a gift from God and we discuss about the importance of getting the church to start talking about the curveballs life can throw you when you start your family. Enter the big one ... We talk IVF and christianity. Some resources to check out on Lisa's along include the following;  Leftover Embryos After IVF Leftover Embryos: The Part of IVF I Hate Talking About Moral and Ethical Issues of IVF Christians and IVF: Can I Do IVF and Honor God?

In this episode I take you on the rocky road that led me to finally reconcile the parts of my life that seemed to be at conflict with each other - my battered, tired, poor body and my faith in a God who had promised healing but never seemed to deliver. Down this road, I pulled out of church service, I pulled away from friends and family and pushed myself to the point of asking for death to find peace. This had to be the turning point I needed, it served to open me up to my family and friends, and to find my way back to a tweaked faith - for the better - the best relationship with God I could have hoped for.