Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

This post is a re-run of a previous article:

Friday, October 3, 2008 Endometriosis Blog: H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

The prior post was to create awareness in advance of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day: October 15, 2008.

I'm posting it again today...

H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

Today -- October 15th, 2008 -- is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Endometriosis patients are at an increased risk for miscarriage.

Please see the blog where I first heard about this Remembrance Day:

I Think I Hear Your Mother Calling: Tales From the Empty Homestead

The author of the above blog requested other bloggers take action as follows:

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States. More than 25,000 children are stillborn in the United States every year leaving mothers, entire families and communities devastated. Estimates of the rate of occurrence of stillbirth make it at least as common as autism.

Stillbirth is not an intractable problem. Greater research would likely significantly reduce it's incidence, but good research requires good data. H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act is under consideration by Congress. This proposed bill would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still.

On October 15th, remember the thousands of unfinished children lost and the families who remain to grieve them. Honor them by taking action. Let's help pass H.R. 5979.

Action Steps:

Step 1.

Use Your Blog to Enlist Others - Copy the contents of this entire post and publish it on your blog immediately.

GOAL: Enlist 10 of your readers to spread the word

Step 2.

Use Your E-mail to Enlist Others - Email 5 bloggers and ask them (nicely and in an unspammy way) to publish these action steps on their blog. Consider contacting celebrity bloggers, political bloggers, medical bloggers, or bloggers who are not part of your reading community.

GOAL: Enlist 3 bloggers outside of your normal blog sphere to spread the word in other online communities.

Step 3.

Help Pass the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act - By October 15th, publish a post on your blog supporting H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act. For maximum impact, title your post: "Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act."

GOAL: 1,000,000 Google results on October 15th when that term is searched for. Currently, Google only returns 20,400 pages - most of which have nothing to do with the bill.

In reading about this legislation, I came across another link they may interest readers:

First Candle

A thanks goes out to Manda of I Think I Hear Your Mother Calling: Tales From the Empty Homestead. It was her blog that first brought this Remembrance Day to my attention.


Related links:

Friday, October 3, 2008 Endometriosis Blog: H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

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

Endometriosis Blog: H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act

**** UPDATE/EDITOR'S NOTE about October 3rd post: ****
Today (October 5, 2008) I just emailed my representative regarding the H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act. If you are interested in doing the same, here is the simplest process for doing so:

(1) Sample letters to help you with guidelines on what to write plus save you time are on this website First Candle: Stillbirth Legislation Needs Your Help.

BUT it’s suggested to PERSONALIZE the letter to increase the odds they’ll read it and heed it... For example, I wrote them on behalf of a friend who has had multiple miscarriages.

(2) You'll need your full zip code (all 9 digits). Here's where you can find it if you don't know it: Search for your full zip code here.

(3) Go to United States House of Representatives. Insert your zip in the zip code fields in top left corner of the screen. This will take you to your representative. Depending on if your representative's site is well-designed or not, you should eventually be able to find a spot on their site where you can email them. That's what I did.

(4) Try not to rely too heavily on the sample email you obtained in step one. Personalize your email where you can. It'll have more impact if you explain why you're writing (i.e. personal experiences, writing in support of loved one, relative, or friend).

(5) Submit your email. That's it. It's easier than it sounds. It took me less than 5 minutes to cover steps 1-5!

*******************************************************************************
October 15th will be a busy day.

In addition to being Blog Action Day for poverty, it will also be National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States.

Endometriosis patients are at an increased risk for miscarriage.

Last night, I came across the following link regarding National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day:

I Think I Hear Your Mother Calling: Tales From the Empty Homestead

The author of the above blog requested other bloggers take action as follows:

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States. More than 25,000 children are stillborn in the United States every year leaving mothers, entire families and communities devastated. Estimates of the rate of occurrence of stillbirth make it at least as common as autism.

Stillbirth is not an intractable problem. Greater research would likely significantly reduce it's incidence, but good research requires good data. H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act is under consideration by Congress. This proposed bill would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still.

On October 15th, remember the thousands of unfinished children lost and the families who remain to grieve them. Honor them by taking action. Let's help pass H.R. 5979.

Action Steps:

Step 1.

Use Your Blog to Enlist Others - Copy the contents of this entire post and publish it on your blog immediately.

GOAL: Enlist 10 of your readers to spread the word

Step 2.

Use Your E-mail to Enlist Others - Email 5 bloggers and ask them (nicely and in an unspammy way) to publish these action steps on their blog. Consider contacting celebrity bloggers, political bloggers, medical bloggers, or bloggers who are not part of your reading community.

GOAL: Enlist 3 bloggers outside of your normal blog sphere to spread the word in other online communities.

Step 3.

Help Pass the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act - By October 15th, publish a post on your blog supporting H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act. For maximum impact, title your post: "Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act."

GOAL: 1,000,000 Google results on October 15th when that term is searched for. Currently, Google only returns 20,400 pages - most of which have nothing to do with the bill.

In reading about this legislation, I came across another link they may interest readers:

First Candle

Let's get the word out about National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day as we edge closer to October 15th. Thank you.

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

Endometriosis Blog: Infertility & Miscarriage --- "Letter To A Friend"

Below is a portion of a post by my friend Alicia on her blog. (Alicia has endometriosis and has experienced both infertility and miscarriage). After her post, you'll see my comment back to her below it.

Here is her blog address:

http://yayastuff.blogspot.com/

Since her post and my response are regarding infertility and miscarriage, I decided to include them on my blog. As Alicia as I are friends in addition to fellow bloggers and we belong to the same local endometriosis support group, I am calling this blog post "Letter to a friend".

In order for my comment to Alicia to make any sense, you need to see her blog post first.

See her post and my response below.

+++

Alicia's blog post:

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Why Am I Hiding?

I was just realizing that I've been stalling in terms of blogging lately. Is it that nothing is on my mind? Or is it that I'm scared to share the true thoughts of what's on my mind? I just looked through my previous blog posts and realized that of the 185 of them, there are 18 of them that I never published. Many of these have to do with infertility and miscarriage, and while it's clarifying in and of itself to write about these, I think I often choose not to publish them because these two topics are often seen as taboo in our society. They are the 'un-talked-about', the 'silent illness', the big elephant in the room, the shadow in the corner, or however you want to look at it. I pride myself on 'not caring what other people think', but then in seeing that I'm worried to post these types of things on MY blog where I can write whatever the heck I feel like, well, I'm just falling into the societal norms. I'm disregarding my true feelings on miscarriage and infertility for fear that it will make my readers uncomfortable. I wish that these two topics were more widely discussed in our culture. On the other side of the world, miscarried babies have their own shrine where people visit and leave toys and presents to the babies. That would never happen here in the western part of the world. Why? Why are we so scared to talk about these topics? Is it like the plague? Do people think that they will 'catch' miscarriage and/or infertility if they are willing to discuss it?
I recently attended another infertility support group meeting and it was amazing. You walk into a room where everyone knows what you are thinking, without saying anything. You walk into a room of acceptance where you can talk about missing your babies you've lost to miscarriage, and the other people in the room don't shudder in non-acceptance. It's an awesome feeling, to feel real, to feel validated, to feel heard. To be seen, truly seen, all of you. Infertility and miscarriage are consuming, dominating, controlling of all aspects of life. Why am I walking through life trying to hide these huge parts of me?

+++

My comment back to Alicia's blog post:

Endometriosis Blog: Infertility & Miscarriage --- "Letter To A Friend"

Friday, September 12, 2008

Alicia,

You are just so amazing. You are inspiring, brave, refreshingly honest, open, strong, kind, and insightful. When I read posts like this, I get very emotional. You are good at putting tears in my eyes. I mean that in the best possible way.

As you know, I have talked with many women from the local support group about both infertility and miscarriage. Unfortunately, endometriosis causes both of these to be more common.

What's amazing about you is that you are able to face things head on in a way many others can't or fear to. What's amazing about you is that you say what other people may just think in their heads. What's amazing about you is that you recognize the taboos in our society that are just plain wrong and you bring those subjects out into the open. I try to do the same thing with endometriosis.

I try to make people comfortable talking about it, hearing about it, understanding what it is and how it affects women and their familes (and their employers... and their extended families… and society)...

I try my best to speak out about things like infertility and miscarriage too... because I have heard SO MANY stories of pain and suffering and because I feel SO badly for couples who face this terribly challenging, emotional roller coaster ride.

Sometimes I myself am “too careful” precisely because I have heard the intense suffering of so many people.

As you know, I tried not to talk about my daughter to you (or have you hear her in the background on phone calls with you) back when you had just miscarried because I didn't want to be insensitive and remind you of all of the hurt and pain associated with your miscarriage by talking about my healthy daughter.

I now know from talking with you and seeing you return to work as a nanny that you are at peace with it. THAT IS WONDERFUL!

I wish that all couples who have been through miscarriage or infertility could be so at peace with it as you are. Don't get me wrong! By "at peace with it" I don't mean to imply that I am underestimating your very strong desire for a child!! I am NOT doing that!

What I mean is that you have a really extraordinarily healthy attitude about everything that is, frankly, sometimes astounding to me.

I have spoken with many women (and couples) who have been through these painful experiences. I must say that not all of them are anywhere near as open about it as you. Many are not. While the people at the infertility support group meeting you mentioned were "on the same page" with you, I know there are other infertile couples dealing with the pain quietly at home. The people who attend such meetings tend to be the ones who are open in a similar manner to you about these topics.

A friend of mine who has had 2 miscarriages and has battled infertility since then recently talked with me about the idea of attending an infertility support group. While she was open to it, her husband was not. She would have definitely gone if he was open to it but wasn't really comfortable going to a meeting without him.

Everyone is different. I ABSOLUTELY agree with you that our society is wrong about making people feel stigmatized about the topics of miscarriage and infertility!!! I agree with you that it's terribly unfortunate and such stigma DOES HAPPEN.

I know of women who attend our local endometriosis support group and/or who attend the local infertility support group (with or without their partners present) and they have found HUGE relief and support from talking with others. I wish that such groups could help everyone who experiences such a crushing loss... but I am not them and they are not me. Everyone is different. Everyone has their own coping style. Each person has her/her own way of grieving. There is no right or wrong way of doing that.

You know me. I believe that being open, attending support groups, talking about these issues is healthy and prevents “stuffing” emotions and potentially causing psychological self-harm.

HOWEVER, for some people who go through this... support groups and blogging are not the right answer. For some people these issues are intensely private and they have a right to be private about it if that's how they feel.

The trick for people who have not experienced infertility or who have not experienced miscarriage is being able to distinguish between people like you who are very open and want to talk about it and those who fall into the more "private-coping" category!

It is very hard sometimes to know which camp someone falls into. (Other times it’s pretty obvious). Until you said certain things to me (after your miscarriage) that I perceived as "a green light" to talk about children, babies, and my own daughter... I was careful when talking with you! I now know that probably wasn't necessary. (Well, maybe in the beginning after you first had a miscarriage even you might not have appreciated being inundated with baby/child talk, right??)

Other local support group members who have or have had infertility and/or miscarriage have held up very clear "red flags" that have made me careful about what I do or don't say in their presence... or even if I'll take a call from a local support group member who I know is infertile when my daughter is near the phone and easily audible through the phone!

I don't think it's black and white. I think for some people it's black & white in the sense that they are open ("green light") or “not open”/private about it ("red light"). Others seem to float back and forth. Some days their mood and circumstances allow them to feel more open. Others times (such as immediately following some sort of loss), they may feel more inclined to be private.

I ABSOLUTELY agree with you that as a society we should NOT make couples going through these situations feel uncomfortable talking about it! That isolation and/or stigma compounds the grief and loss!

At the same time, I'm not sure that your coping skills would work for every woman who has had a miscarriage. Am I making sense? I ABSOLUTELY hear what you're saying on this amazing and thought-provoking post. I just don't know if everyone has the same coping skills that you do --- to be able to be so open.

At the risk of sounding judgmental (not my intent!), some people who aren't “open” could probably benefit from being more open --- BUT some people really and truly need to deal with their losses privately because that's their style, personality, or way of coping.

So, I AGREE that our society needs to be educated about these issues, needs to be more open, and needs to embrace couples going through this. I also believe that couples going through this need to give clear signals to others as to which camp they are in (red light vs. green light).

If healthy, supportive communication about these topics is to happen, everyone needs to be on the same page about who wants to be open and talk vs. who wants to be private and not talk with just “anyone” about it publicly. It's very tricky.

Some people don't talk publicly about it but DO seek counseling from trained professionals who can provide support and coping skills. Some couples are like you… very open. Some are into support group meetings. Others aren't.

I AGREE with you 100% that we as a society need to provide that support, respect and listening ear for those couples who **DO** want to talk about it. I'm just not sure all couples going through it do, though.

Part of why some don't, I think, is precisely because of our society's warped way of not dealing well with these issues. Our society has become very preoccupied with pregnancy and babies. Think of the countdowns to when Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’s baby would be born or when Jennifer Lopez would give birth. Our society puts such emphasis on Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's family planning or "baby bumps" on celebrities and I think that kind of thing just makes infertile couples or those that have gone through a miscarriage feel even worse! Our society has a strange way of framing parenting, childbirth, infertility, and miscarriage.

Other countries do handle it differently. Western society is behind on this… in my opinion.

I remember when my friend miscarried when she and I were in our 20s… and I mentioned getting a card for her. My mother said, "Oh, Jeanne… that wouldn't be appropriate"... and I thought, "why not?!" If I miscarried, I would perceive a card from a friend as a sign of support and kindness. My mother, on the other hand, thought it would be upsetting to her or "breaking etiquette rules" and that a card would only be appropriate for “other types of death”.

The way I see it death is death. If a woman/couple is excited and happy and thrilled about a pregnancy and then a miscarriage occurs, that is a huge loss! A death has occurred. I'm not talking about the whole controversy over when conception begins or any of that stuff. (I wouldn’t touch that topic on this blog with a 10 foot pole)!

I'm talking right now about the death of the dream that the couple had. There is profound sadness and grief... probably even more so than the grief one would have for someone who had lived a good, long life!

So I think it's a confusing issue for many. I think our society has much room for improvement on these issues. I know when you had a miscarriage that I struggled to give you the best support I knew how.

Part of why I tried so hard to support you is because it's the right thing to do and I believe that all in our society should provide the best comfort they can to couples who go through this. Part of my empathy was because I've heard SO MANY stories of grief and loss from support group members and from my friends/family members. Part of that was I knew how crushing a blow it was to you after years of infertility and I desperately wanted to do ANYTHING I could to help you, support you, assist you in finding helpful resources for coping, etc. I'm honestly not sure most people in society are equipped to provide that kind of support. If it weren't for my being an endometriosis support group leader for 7 years now, I would not have been able to help you in the manner that I did after your miscarriage.

Our society needs to be educated. Wonderful posts like yours go a long way towards that. I am so proud of you!

You are so strong, so compassionate, and just so downright amazing that you do bring tears to my eyes. Keep talking, keep blogging, keep being open, and keep giving clear signals of how your friends and family can best support you and Josh. You are a role model for so many women with your graceful, insightful, open-minded way of handling such adversity.

To miscarry after 5 years of infertility when you have an illness that makes you feel like your clock is ticking louder than most (endometriosis) and be able to be as strong as you are is really remarkable! I have seen many women go through these things but few have coped as well as you have. You have to realize that different people have different levels of coping skills and support. You have many, many friends and that must be very helpful to you. Honestly, not everyone has such a strong network of support as you do.

If you haven't had a chance to check out the widget for the "wear to make aware: infertility's common thread" campaign, see the sidebar of my blog to check it out.

Your positive attitude and strength will continue to carry you through --- just as they have so far... no matter what is in your future. You are one of the strongest people I've ever met! My thoughts and prayers are with you and keep doing what you're doing!!

Jeanne

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

Endometriosis Blog: National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week - "Medications, Illness, Fertility and the Desire for Motherhood"

As mentioned in previous posts, this week's events for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week include online seminars. Callers can dial in and talk about various chronic illness-related topics.

Yesterday there was a seminar on "Medications, Illness, Fertility and the Desire for Motherhood" with Jenni Saake. (I was unavailable to participate at the time of Jenni's seminar but thankfully all of this week's seminars are available in the blogtalkradio archives)!!!

I had posted a general comment on the II forum yesterday (II is commonly used this week as an abbreviation for "Invisible Illness").

Then, last night, Jenni posted a comment on this blog (see Jenni Saake's comment in the comments section of Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Endometriosis Blog: National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week - Shameless Plugs For Their Merchandise). She had seen my comment and had tracked down this blog since the "endometriosis" topic got her attention.

I have since listened to Jenni Saake's seminar and I'm sure many of our readers will find it helpful!!! If you are interested in listening to it, you'll simply need to register for a blogtalkradio login (a quick process)... and then login to blogtalkradio when you're ready to listen to archived seminars like this one.


The name of Jenni Saake's seminar is: "Medications, Illness, Fertility and the Desire for Motherhood".

Here's a description of the show (as listed on blogtalkradio):

Wondering if you should consider parenthood with your illness? Concerned about your fertility as well as the impact of medications? Jennifer Saake has lived 18 years of illness, with infertility for 10 of those years. Balancing both conditions includes: medication side effects (illness meds on fertility and fertility meds on illness), questioning sanity of wanting desperately to have children yet fearing how she would care for them when she can hardly care for herself, facing the frustration of attempted adoption when her health makes her less "marketable." She has written a book on infertility and loss and is praying about someday writing a book on living with chronic illness.

I encourage you to check out Jenni Saake's talk on blogtalkradio by logging in as described above. With Jenni Saake's personal experience with endometriosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFIDS), hormonally-induced panic attacks, infertility issues, investigating adoption, miscarriages, PCO (polycystic ovarian syndrome), surgery, pre-diabetic condition, artificial insemination, etc... I'm sure many readers here will have a great appreciation for Jenni Saake's compelling story!

Jenni's story is engrossing, informative, and very worthwhile listening! Please consider listening to this fantastic program!!

Here are two of her sites that she mentioned during the program:

http://www.hannahshopebook.com/
http://www.harvestinghope.blogspot.com/

This is a wonderful seminar that will appeal to many readers of this blog!!

See related posts regarding National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week:

Sunday, September 7, 2008 Endometriosis Blog: Tomorrow is DAY ONE of National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week 2008!!

Monday, September 8, 2008 Endometriosis Blog: ***TODAY*** Kicks Off National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week 2008!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Endometriosis Blog: National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week - Shameless Plugs For Their Merchandise

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

Endometriosis Blog: Results Of YOUR FEEDBACK On Endo Blog TOPIC CHOICES POLL!

You may or may not have noticed the poll that has been in the right sidebar for awhile now entitled: "What Endometriosis (Or Related) Topics Interest You Most? (You May Check More Than One Answer)."

Well, obviously some of you have seen it because you took the opportunity to cast your votes! Thank you to those who did vote! The more feedback I get from endo blog readers, the better I can tailor the blog to meet your needs.

HERE ARE THE RESULTS OF THE POLL ---

"What Endometriosis (Or Related) Topics Interest You Most? (You May Check More Than One Answer).":

Chronic Pain and/or Illness:
41%

Infertility and/or Miscarriage:
16%

Co-Existing Illnesses/Conditions (i.e. fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome...):
50%

Endo's Impact on Relationships:
25%

Stress and/or Anxiety:
25%

How Support Groups/Networking with Fellow Patients Can Help:
16%

Integrative/Alternative/Complementary Medicine:
33%

All of the Above:
33%

Other:
0%

While this poll is obviously not a scientific one, I think the high percentage of readers interested in Integrative/Alternative/Complementary Medicine is significant!

So, I will continue to focus in this area especially in the future. I've also made note of the interest in the other topics mentioned in the poll!

There are many things I take into consideration when deciding what to post here on the endo blog...

For example, I pay close attention to which posts get the most feedback with posted comments. I will also take into account the results of this poll. Also, I review statistics on which parts of the blog get the most clicks. The traffic monitors sometimes give me clues on how to proceed as well. All of these bits and pieces of feedback really help me to customize the blog to meet your needs!!

I really want to emphasize that your feedback on polls like this truly helps me decide what to write in the future.

So will your posted comments on this blog!!!!!

Some days I may just post what I'm in the mood to post but I always try to keep in mind what information has been meaningful to me AND to my local endometriosis support group members. This really helps me to figure out which topics may also be of interest to you!!

While feedback on posts I've already made IS VERY HELPFUL, it doesn't tell me what I may be MISSING or SPENDING TOO LITTLE TIME ON. I'm afraid I don't read minds. :) :)

Soooooo, if there is an endometriosis-related topic you'd like to focus more attention on, please let me know. Perhaps there is something we've touched on that you'd like to discuss in more depth. Maybe there is an endometriosis-related topic that you would like to suggest that we haven't talked about? The more feedback I get from blog readers the better!

I am looking forward to continuing to receive more feedback like your comments and poll results in the future. It really WILL help to shape the direction of this blog if I know what your needs are and how this blog can best serve them.

We have already spent a good deal of time discussing the "Co-Existing Illnesses/Conditions (i.e. fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome...)" category on this blog.

I DEFINITELY plan to continue to focus quite a bit on these topics as they scored highest from the readers who took the poll on what topics are most interesting or informative.

So please keep that feedback coming! It really helps guide me as I'm deciding what topics to include and how much time to devote to each.

By the way, now that the results of the poll are posted here I plan to remove it from the sidebar shortly and replace it with something fresh.

Thank you! :)

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

Endometriosis Blog Announcement: New Feature On This Blog --- Infertility/Pregnancy Loss News Source Available In Right Sidebar!

I am pleased to announce a new feature available on this blog! This feature will serve as a means of connecting you with a superb blog (including a blogroll within) that you may find extremely helpful.

Many women with endometriosis are affected by infertility and miscarriages. I came across the outstanding resource I'm getting to in a moment on Pamela Jeanne's infertility blog:

http://www.coming2terms.com/

I thought this feature would be a fantastic addition to this blog --- that serves so many women experiencing infertility. (Several of my local endometriosis support group members have had at least one miscarriage as well).

If you are interested in accessing this new feature: "Lost and Found: News Source for the Infertility/Pregnancy Loss Blogosphere", simply scroll down the right sidebar of this blog until you reach the gray (vertical and rectangular) "Lost & Found" logo.

Once you see the gray "Lost & Found" logo, just CLICK ON THE LOGO ITSELF to get to a WONDERFUL blogroll of sites on these same topics and more! When the site it then connects you to appears on your screen it will say, Lost and Found and Connections Abound. "In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make".

This blog (Lost and Found and Connections Abound) may well be the most comprehensive source of blogs on --- infertility; miscarriage; adoption; "family building when single"; "gay and lesbian"; general helpful sites and support;"in the news", "IUI and IVF"; "Living Child-free After Infertility or Loss"; Pamela Jeanne's awesome blog http://www.coming2terms.com/ (which has been listed in my favorites for some time now); etc. and more! It's the most complete list of info that I have EVER SEEN on these topics. It's really astounding!

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

Endometriosis Topics: What Interests YOU??? Let's VOTE Using A SHORT Poll To Show What We Want To Read About Endometriosis!

Making Our Endo Blog the Best It Can Be:

I thought this might be a perfect time to ask you and other endo blog readers like you for your input!!

Story ideas/topics can range from one word ones like "infertility" to phrases/questions on loaded topics like "does anyone have tips for dealing with loved ones who just do not understand the limitations that endometriosis puts on me?"

In an effort to determine how to best meet your needs, I have developed a SHORT poll.

Please view the new (and very quick!!) poll. It's in the right (pink) sidebar - after "welcome" and before "archive" sections - of this blog. So cast your votes and have your voice be heard!

I've included the poll to determine which topics interest endo blog readers the most. It allows you to VOTE for one or more of the topics listed. It'll provide feedback for me on YOUR support needs and I'll get to see what my fellow patients are looking for/expecting in an endo blog.

Simply select any (or all) options you find applicable; then just click on "vote" to view the results of the voting by you and other endo blog readers thus far!

I think the best way to make this blog successful and thriving is to elicit input from endo blog readers like you! Who better to ask for input than YOU???

You may know exactly what information/support you're searching for or in need of...

Or maybe you are overwhelmed and NOT sure what to look for...

Either way, I'm sure you can help me focus in on the issues that will be most meaningful and useful for you and your circumstances.

I could honestly write blog posts all day, every day --- but it wouldn't be very productive or useful if no one reads them or finds them helpful! THIS POLL is a chance for YOU to provide input that will help me focus in on the topics that matter to YOU the most!

Please take just a moment (I just checked it's 9 quick clicks OR LESS!) to do the endo blog readers' poll. Just select the topic(s) most interesting to you.

Also, IF you fall into strictly the "other" category listed last, please feel free to email me directly with any endo ideas(s) that I did not list --- but that you would like to see featured. In that case, just email to this address: endendo@frontiernet.net.

If you email ideas directly, PLEASE fill in the email's subject line with "endo blog ideas" (or something similar) --- so your wonderful emails won't get lost amongst a bunch of spam... and I'll be able to use your input & ideas to create new posts for the endo blog. I can't guarantee I'll cover each idea submitted immediately but I will most likely take bits and pieces from endo-related idea emails I get and somehow interweave them into a narrative.

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

Endo Blog: Let's Hear From One of Our Readers

Hi all!

OK. So, as many of you are already aware, Alicia is far more than a random reader of my blog (not that there is anything wrong with being a random reader of my blog)!!!! :)

Alicia is also a friend of mine. Anyway, she has her own blog and posts comments on this blog regularly (and vice versa).

Today her post was about "Endometriosis and Infertility". I am including her link here in this post:

http://yayastuff.blogspot.com/

While Alicia's blog link is conveniently listed on the very bottom of my homepage all the time, along with some other links that may interest you... I thought I'd "plug it" here too. Alicia has been through a great deal during her "endo journey". Granted, so many of us have had challenging "endo journeys" of our own.

The thing is that this is why we can relate to one another so well. When I get connected with a fellow endo patient, it often leads to a strong bond because we automatically have so much in common going in.

So please check out Alicia's July 6, 2008 blog post on endo & infertility.

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

Endo Blog: Infertility Resource Provided by Alicia... Tertia Albertyn's Blog About "Infertiles"

Today's post is easy because the info jumped right out at me. Alicia, an endo and infertility patient who posts comments often on this blog and is a wonderful friend, told me about a blog I'd never seen before... about one woman's struggle with infertility.

The following blog (see her blog link below) is written by a woman named Tertia Albertyn, who lives in Cape Town, South Africa and calls herself "an infertile". This is one very persistent and determined woman! After reading her most recent post and her bio, I realized she has had 10 IVF procedures done!

Before I get to the link to her blog, I should forewarn you there is some swearing in her most recent post: "How to be Good Friends with an Infertile".

So I wanted to give you a "heads up" since I made a point of asking for no profanity on my comment boards (see my June 29, 2008 post "Endometriosis Blog: Ground Rules for Comments, Google, and AdSense PLUS My Anticipated Response Time for Comments").

While I don't use profanity in my posts, I won't shy away from sharing Tertia Albertyn's blog with you... since I believe many of our readers will take comfort in Tertia's words regarding her struggle with infertility.

Here is the link to the "So Close" blog, written by Tertia Loebenberg Albertyn.

http://tertia.typepad.com/so_close/2004/05/how_to_be_good_.html

Whether you are experiencing infertility caused by endometriosis or other factors OR just trying to support an infertile friend or loved one, I think you'll find this blog interesting!

Infertility can be a devastating, isolating, and heartbreaking journey.

Sense of humor can be crucial when dealing with such a dark emotional subject as infertility. This blog (check out the bio) provides a wickedly good sense of humor, insight, and wit to a very real and painful condition that affects so many!

Tertia Albertyn's link was published with permission from Tertia Loebenberg Albertyn.

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