"Elizabeth, you will get pregnant."

"Elizabeth, you will get pregnant. Don't give up."

This, THIS, is what my doctor says to me today. And she didn't say it because I looked tearfully into her eyes, asked in a pleading and desperate voice if I should throw in the towel. She spontaneously said this after explaining why there isn't any real problem or reason why things haven't worked just yet. That, in fact, of the obstacles we face, there are very clear ways to address them (which we have) and give us the same chances as any other couple. She said that even for a couple without our challenges, 3 failed attempts would not signify anything of concern. The stars must simply align.

Now, there are expensive and invasive procedures that she feels very confident would work and would be worth investing in if our marriage is on the rocks or the stress has become too much, essentially, if we're ready to get this over and done with. Or, we can continue to go the less expensive, less intense route another 2 or 3 times without feeling like we are unreasonably spinning our wheels. Nonetheless, "less expensive" is still a nice piece of change.

Regardless. We're giving ourselves some time to rebuild financially and hopefully physically and emotionally as well over the next 6 months. We have time to decide what we want to do.

But, today, it was nice to hear an unprovoked, assured (no fear of lawsuits due to false promises) admonition that we are fighting a fight we should win.

Happy 2011.