Monday, July 19, 2010

Perception

Life is all about perception. How do we choose to look at our situation? Half-full or half-empty?

Half-empty: This new treatment I am pursuing (Follistim injectables with an IUI) has an 18% success rate. This means out of 100 couples who do this treatment, 82 of them will not be successful. I could become pregnant with this treatment, but it is much more likely that I will come out of this with no baby.

Half-full: Without treatment, Ryan and I have less than 1% chance of conceiving. With the treatment, our chances are 18%. I could interpret that to mean that we are 1700% more likely to get pregnant this month than in previous months. That is quite an increase!

The half-empty side is quite depressing. I don’t want to be one of those 82 people left disappointed at the end of the month.

However, I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement whenever I think of the half-full scenario.

So for now I am choosing to be half-full. After years of waiting, I am trying to enjoy feeling hopeful again.

5 comments:

Tami said...

I just happened across your blog awhile back and have been reading your blog.
I wanted to let you know I got pregnant on my very first IUI...it seems that really I just needed the placement, because it couldn't all get together for some reason. Sadly, mine ended in miscarriage...So you have reason to look at it half full!! I hope and pray things work out for you soon. :)

threelittlebackseatdrivers.blogspot.com said...

I had a 1% chance as well. I mean, come on...what are the odds? So discouraging and yet so hopeful to be in treatment and trying something, anything. But us 1%'ers have hope...it's more than science and odds or I wouldn't have 3!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy that you have moved forward with ttc even if it isn't in the traditional way we would all ideally like. I love your attitude and do believe that it makes a huge difference in our lives when we look at things from a glass half-full perspective. I am completely optimistic for you as IUI has worked well for so many people. Each story belongs to one individual so we cannot generalize, but I am optmistic nonetheless. Additionally, I have God and prayer and I'm reaching out to him today on your behalf.

Marianne said...

I love your positive attitude. I am facing this battle head on with my vision clear in my mind and God at my side to be my coach.
Hugs!

Jared and Lindsey said...

Love you Michelle and I will pray for the half-full scenario too!

FAITH IN GOD MEANS HAVING FAITH IN HIS TIMING.