In article <199806192043.NAA10146 at net.bio.net>, linden at mail.utexas.edu
(linden higgins) wrote:
snipped
>BTW, for those that are curious and remember my cry for help from 8 wks
>ago, I have found a new academic home - a bit of a commute but they are
>bending over backwards to make my transition easy, and my new position will
>be better than what I leave (long-term post doc metamorphosing into adjunct
>research faculty). I'll get to write my own grants! (well, I've been
>writing my own grants, but now my name'll be on them!). So, it really has
>worked out - after many sleepless nights. Thanks to all who wrote in
>support.
>Linden-Congratulations! I'm happy to hear that things have worked out.
Now for my story. At the age of 41 with one hurdle left (the big
one--tenure), it is tempting to think about having a child. In earlier
years, I either didn't have an appropriate partner or could not have done
it due to career stresses. However, my ovaries may have made up their own
minds on the issue of children. About 8 years ago I was diagnosed with a
luteal phase deficit. I ovulate, but my corpora lutea don't put out
sufficient progesterone. Supposedly this can be taken care of with a shot
of Provera around the time of ovulation, and possibly throughout
pregnancy? (I haven't done much snooping about this, so feel free to
correct me.) I am rather leery of going through the infertility clinic
mill at my age. Some of my friends and acquaintances have had success,
but they were much younger than I am. I will not consider fertility
drugs--if I were a poodle, maybe, but women aren't built to carry litters
of pups.
On the other side of the equation: My SO, even though he's an only child
and his mother is desperate for grandchildren, is not in much of a hurry
to procreate. He is spending a lot of time dealing with his dad, who has
Alzheimer's and diabetes, and his stepmother, who has lung cancer. Having
a child at this time would be too much stress for everyone.
So here we are. At this stage of the game, if a child comes into our
lives (the old-fashioned way or via adoption), that'd be fine. If not,
life would not end for me or the SO. We have our lives together, our
work, families, and friends.
Cindy
--
C.J. Fuller
<mailto:cjfuller at erickson.uncg.edu>
<mailto:cjfuller at mindspring.com>
