This is the sixth and finally installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read parts one, two, three, four, and five. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle I had often imagined that if and when I finally received that positive pregnancyContinue reading “Fertility Story: Part 6 – A New Path Forward”
Author Archives: The Running Therapist
Fertility Story: Part 5 – The Final Test
This is the fifth installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read parts one, two, three, and four. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. There was no plan after the third IUI. If it didn’t work, we wouldn’t be able toContinue reading “Fertility Story: Part 5 – The Final Test”
Fertility Story: Part 4 – The Third IUI
This is the fourth installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read parts one, two, and three. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. Our third round of IUI would be our last in Chicago. We had always intended to depart fromContinue reading “Fertility Story: Part 4 – The Third IUI”
Fertility Story: Part 3 – The Second IUI
This is the third installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read parts one and two. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. They say athletes should have short-term memories. To continue after a setback, you must forget the failure. You canContinue reading “Fertility Story: Part 3 – The Second IUI”
Fertility Story – Part 2: The First IUI
This is the second installment of six about our struggles with infertility. Read part one here. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. Early into our relationship, before we were ready to try conceiving, I made a declaration. “If we can’t have aContinue reading “Fertility Story – Part 2: The First IUI”
Fertility Story – Part 1: The Diagnosis
This is the first installment of six about our struggles with infertility. This is our story, nothing more, but we share it to add another voice to this often unspoken struggle. Part 1 As part of my wedding to-do list, I called my gynecologist and made an appointment to remove my IUD. My husband andContinue reading “Fertility Story – Part 1: The Diagnosis”
Goodbye, Chicago
Chicago was a curve ball. In the winter of 2014, after returning home from my Peace Corps service in Lesotho, I took a non-profit job in Washington, D.C., and relocated to the nation’s capital. As a wander lusting youth, I had long hoped to end up on the East Coast, and there I was, inContinue reading “Goodbye, Chicago”
Mismatched Socks
Kids are my favorite types of humans. When in a room with adults and young children, I gravitate towards the little ones. In many social situations, I find that I often drink, eat, or talk too much because I am anxious. I am often afraid that I will say something stupid or be judged forContinue reading “Mismatched Socks”
Being Productive
In the weeks leading up to graduation, many of my classmates were interviewing and negotiating full-time jobs, for many their first salaried, benefited position. A few big life changes hung in the balance, and I couldn’t apply for anything until I knew what direction I was headed in. Plus, after three tough years and preparingContinue reading “Being Productive”
Suffering for Suffering’s Sake
A few weeks ago, I ran the Chicagoland Half Marathon. It was my first in-person race since January 2020, and I was not looking forward to it. I had actually purchased the bib for the 2020 race, but because of COVID, the race had been cancelled, and participants were allowed to transfer to another raceContinue reading “Suffering for Suffering’s Sake”
Heather M. Mangan 