(VIDEO) 'Jeanne's Endo Blog': Vlog #3 Endometriosis Awareness Month (Week One Recap) & Acupuncture Intro Video

It's March 9, 2009 and last night I recorded my third video. Vlog #3 includes a recap of Week One of Endometriosis Awareness Month. I also do a brief introduction about acupuncture. Acupuncture has helped me immensely for several years now! I'll be blogging more about acupuncture in the future because it deserves some "front and center" attention but I thought I'd touch on it today.

I didn't realize until today that 10 minutes is the maximum time allowed per video on YouTube. So the video this time is split into two parts. (Thanks goes out to my hubby for helping me get the video split apart and uploaded despite computer problems (some sort of malicious file had attacked my computer and probably has a great deal to do with all of the PC problems I've been having) and my not realizing the length would cause the video to get rejected by YouTube). I apologize... I'm still in the learning curve for making videos. So, please bear with the 2-part format for Vlog #3. I'm calling them both Vlog #3 (Parts A and B).





There are several people I mentioned in the Vlog #3 who I'd like to provide links to here:

Endochick of 'Endometriosis: The Silent Life Sentence'

Melissa Ralston of 'Endometriosis: Facing the Battle Head-On'

'My Journey with Endometriosis'

Steph of 'Living with Endometriosis'

Kelly Damron of 'Twin Peas Blog and Podcast'
(Infertility blogger)

Cassie Germsheid of 'Mamas On The Web'
(Amazingly supportive & talented blogger who is currently helping me redesign my blog in preparation for a transfer to Wordpress, supporter of the endometriosis cause who has helped us with our twitter campaign for endo awareness)

Rosalind Joffe of cicoach.com
(Generous supporter of the endometriosis cause who has helped us with our twitter campaign for endo awareness)

Alicia of 'Yaya Stuff'
(Amazing blogger and friend who advocates for patients dealing with infertility, endometriosis, miscarriages, and adoption)

By the way, you can still help Alicia with her Adoption Adventure Fund! There is another raffle (with cool prizes) going on now!

I have never in my life met anyone who wants to be a mother more than my friend Alicia.

For details about the raffle prizes, please see Alicia's site: Yaya Stuff. She has lots of cool prizes so go check it out!

Alicia & Josh's Adoption Adventure Raffle Ticket Giveaway.

Josh and Alicia are more than halfway through the adoption classes for the foster-to-adopt process they are pursuing now.

Let's fill this house!!



Finally, have you been tweeting endometriosis messages using #endo? I counted them last night and there have been 335 tweets in the 9 days since I sent out the first one on twitter. Those endometriosis tweets are really catching on!

If you are on twitter, please use #endo at the end of each endometriosis-related message you send out and help us create awareness for endometriosis plus make it easier for people to find endometriosis posts and other information.

This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.

'Jeanne's Endo Blog' Honors Alicia Of 'Yaya Stuff'. Hear Her Brave Story Of Endometriosis-Induced Infertility...

It is Endometriosis Awareness Month!!!

The following is a direct re-print, with permission, of a post written by Alicia (aka Yaya) of Yaya Stuff. She posted it today on her blog and I asked her if I could share it here as well. Alicia is a true friend in every sense of the word. I met her through my local endometriosis support group. I am very fortunate to have such a wise, sweet, caring friend as Alicia.

Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of infertility. Alicia knows all about this devastating combination: endometriosis and infertility. Alicia's candid writing style and open manner help many, many infertile readers on her blog and I'm honored that she has given me permission to re-print the following blog post. For more info on Alicia's journey with infertility and adoption, see her blog Yaya Stuff.

Alicia's Post:

Infertility.

Young Momma from Perfect Pen and I were emailing and she asked some questions (I encourage questions! Knowledge is power! ;) And I decided to turn my response into a blog post because there is some important information that I thought other readers could learn from it.

Below is my response email:

_________________

That's why we aren't doing infant adoption-I could not stand having a baby for a month and then having the birth mom take it back. I would lose it. Completely lose it. We're getting very excited for the mundane process to be over so that we can get our child! Right now we are looking into a 10 year old girl. The problem with any of the kids we would potentially adopt is that they will have emotional issues (rightfully so), but honestly, I think we are strong enough to handle that, and have the background to handle that. It just takes a lot of patience and persistance. Having waited 6 and a half years now for a child, we are well versed in patience and persistance. Fertility treatments....yup....not fun. I've semi-moved-on already from the bio-baby idea. I would love a bio baby. But, I'm so over all these hormones and crap making me big and fat and moody.

I've told my husband I'll do one more. One more pregnancy, whether it be successful, or another miscarriage, that's all I can handle and then I need to move on from bio-kids. It's been a rough road. It's hard having friends and family start trying for kids after us, and now have a few kids under their belt, while we still just want our first. It's hard going to parties and get togethers where conversations revolve around people's kids and we sit there in silence. It's hard seeing all these "mommy clubs" and knowing that I want nothing more then to be a part of them, but I just can't seem to be. Have you ever wanted something more than life itself? Something so much that you would literally give your arm for it? That's how I've felt for 6 and a half years. So when friends and family around us suddenly say 'We're gonna start trying for a baby!' and *boom* the next month they are pregnant, it aches. When they are able to tell everyone about their pregnancy from the very beginning and experience the joys of being pregnant, without fear that they'll lose their baby, I'm jealous. I want that. I will never experience a joyful pregnancy. It will always be filled with fear that loss is just around the corner. I can never get my hopes up.

I guess the hardest part of this road is that people just don't understand. They don't know what to say, so they say nothing. Friends and family don't know how to show support, so they ignore our pain and losses. We feel so alone in our struggle most of the time. Sure, we're happy and live a wonderful life, but there is always this part of us missing. There is this ache we have that will not go away. If you know someone with infertility or infant loss, be there for them. Let them talk about their babies. Let them talk about what they are missing out on. We can tell when you feel uncomfortable, so that's why we stop talking about it. Be unconditionally there for them. After a loss they will want distance. Don't take this personally. They need to heal.If you announce your newest pregnancy or birth, they might need distance again. We ARE happy for you, but we are also aching for what we don't have.

_______________

It's a hard job being friends and family to Infertiles, or those who have experienced Infant Loss. But we need you there. Without you there for us in the hard times and to distract us on bad days and to laugh with us on good days, we'd have no one.

This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at http://www.endendoat.blogspot.com/.

Alicia's Adoption Adventure Raffle Ticket Giveaway # 1!

For a long, long time now I have been trying desperately to figure out how to help my friend Alicia in her quest to become a Mommy. Here is my chance to finally DO something to help her!!

Would you like a chance to win a $40 gift card to Target while helping my dear friend Alicia raise money for her adoption fund????

First, here is some background... I met Alicia through my local endometriosis support group. She is one of the sweetest people I know! She works as a nanny. That means she sees beautiful children all day while she dreams of having her own. Just try for a moment to imagine that!

See Alicia, Josh, and their beloved pets!

Alicia is an endometriosis patient who has had years of infertility. She has had multiple miscarriages as well. She is currently undergoing hormone treatment to try to get pregnant. She and her husband are also pursuing a foster-to-adopt method of adoption.

For months and months, I have wracked my brain trying desperately to figure out a way to help my friend! Offering words of comfort can only go so far. They don't change the fact that these two wonderful people and their pets would love to have some children with whom to share their love!

Alicia's friend Ashley had the brilliant idea to create an adoption fund. Apparently, adoption costs can range from $8,000 to $100,000. (See Alicia's blog for more information).

Finally, I have something I can DO to help my friend who has been through so much!

So, sadly, adoption is very expensive! Alicia and her husband desperately want to be parents and have so much love to give!!! To read more about Alicia's story, click below. (This will also tell you more about the Adoption Adventure Raffle Ticket Giveaway)...

Let's fill this house!!



I never do raffles. So bear with me because this is a special exception for my friend who I have been trying desperately to comfort/help in some way... I finally have a chance to DO something to help her become a mom!!

Alicia's Adoption Adventure Raffle Ticket Giveaway # 1!

Rather than just ask you to link to her site and check it out, I want to take it a step further and post her Adoption Giveaway here too. Whatever will give her raffle more visibility!

I should mention that I have never done a raffle like this before and very likely will not do so again. I am doing this for my personal (in-person, not just online) friend. (Hint hint... I would really appreciate if no one asks me to post their cause because I have no plans to do this for others)!! I am doing this to help a friend. If I ever do a raffle again, it will my something I initiate. So PLEASE do not submit any causes to me. I won't be posting them.

Per the instructions on her site, here is how you enter for the raffle for the $40 gift card to Target (plus some other surprises)...

Alicia's instructions say:

To enter you click below and donate $5. For every $5 you will receive one raffle ticket with your name on it put into the "hat". You will need a paypal account for this. If you don't have a paypal account you can email me (yayaorangenanny@yahoo.com) to find out about mailing check or cash.



For those who missed my recent post about Alicia, here is a reprint of that post. It will help you get to know Alicia a bit. She is helping so many infertile patients and has become quite an advocate!

---------------------------------------------------------

Here is the reprint of the previous post. I'm reposting her picture in the reprint and this story of her new Mommy Wannabe Club to remind you that we are talking about a real person here who has done so much to help other infertile patients!!

Some of you may know her by her nickname ("Yaya"). I first met Alicia through my local endometriosis (in person) support group. She is a fellow blogger and a strong, inspirational woman who works intently at advocating for patients with a history of infertility and miscarriages/pregnancy loss.

Alicia's passion, drive, determination, caring, humor, and compassion have attracted a flock of readers to her blog. She is helping great numbers of people. It is an honor to call Alicia my friend, to learn from her, to watch her advocacy efforts blossom, and to witness the multitude of ways she is helping others!

She is also becoming a great source of information on adoption and the foster-to-adopt process. Her blog covers all of these issues and much more.

Here is a brief biographical sketch about Alicia from her blog profile:

"Read along in my quest to become a Mommy, one way or another. It's been 6 years and several miscarriages, but I'm not giving up!"

My friend Alicia of the blog Yayastuff has launched a new venture!


Visit Mommy Wannabe Club


She has started a social network called the Mommy Wannabe Club.

Here is her blog post about it:

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 Mommy Wannabe Club

Alicia asked me if I would help her get the word out about her new club. I am honored to assist her efforts in any way I can!


View my page on Mommy Wannabe Club

Perhaps some of you reading this may be interested in joining?

Thank you Alicia for everything you do!!!

This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.

Infertility?? Check Out Alicia's 'Mommy Wannabe Club' To Connect With Others!!

Meet Alicia.

Some of you may know her by her nickname ("Yaya"). I first met Alicia through my local endometriosis (in person) support group. She is a fellow blogger and a strong, inspirational woman who works intently at advocating for patients with a history of infertility and miscarriages/pregnancy loss.

Alicia's passion, drive, determination, caring, humor, and compassion have attracted a flock of readers to her blog. She is helping great numbers of people. It is an honor to call Alicia my friend, to learn from her, to watch her advocacy efforts blossom, and to witness the multitude of ways she is helping others!

She is also becoming a great source of information on adoption and the foster-to-adopt process. Her blog covers all of these issues and much more.

Here is a brief biographical sketch about Alicia from her blog profile:

"Read along in my quest to become a Mommy, one way or another. It's been 6 years and several miscarriages, but I'm not giving up!"

My friend Alicia of the blog Yayastuff has launched a new venture!


Visit Mommy Wannabe Club


She has started a social network called the Mommy Wannabe Club.

Here is her blog post about it:

Wednesday, December 31, 2008 Mommy Wannabe Club

Alicia asked me if I would help her get the word out about her new club. I am honored to assist her efforts in any way I can!


View my page on Mommy Wannabe Club

Perhaps some of you reading this may be interested in joining?

Thank you Alicia for everything you do!!!

This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.