A Life Update: July 2024
by Jessica Jones
July has been a whirlwind of chaos and challenges. My husband’s finger injury from late June, which required stitches, is thankfully on the mend. Our 4-year-old son has been diagnosed with level 3 ASD, setting us on a path filled with numerous appointments for feeding therapy, speech, occupational therapy, and camp. He will return to preschool three days a week in late August. Additionally, we are consulting an ENT to determine if he needs tubes in his ears due to chronic ear infections since last fall.
Our journey with Shady Grove continues as we grapple with unexplained infertility. Despite extensive and invasive tests, blood work, and evaluations, the reasons for our two miscarriages and lack of successful pregnancies since May 2022 remain elusive. Last month, we moved forward with IUI, and we now anxiously await the results of the blood pregnancy test on August 5th. The fertility medications have been particularly challenging—five days of Clomid, a trigger shot, followed by weeks of estrogen and progesterone. Should this cycle fail, we will begin the arduous process anew. Emotionally, I am on a tumultuous roller coaster, and the stress is overwhelming. Books have become my sanctuary, providing much-needed escapism.
Amidst this turmoil, I continue to write. I am currently revisiting my work in progress, a contemporary romance, with the intention of enhancing it before proceeding further with the story.
In addition to my literary pursuits, I have been immersing myself in the gratifying task of growing, harvesting, and processing my own herbs. My garden flourishes with two kinds of basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, chives, parsley, dill, lavender, and mint. This endeavor has provided a therapeutic outlet and a tangible connection to nature amid the chaos.
That’s all for now. I aim to provide monthly updates like this one. Despite the persistent challenges, I am still here, reading, writing, and enduring. The horrors persist, but so do I.
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I reflect on the challenges of secondary infertility, balancing motherhood with full-time work, and struggling to find time for creative writing. Despite setbacks, I’m learning to persevere with love, determination, and a little Taylor Swift.