4.57

5

Oct 11, 2012

If only this book was required reading for everyone....

It really baffles me how people, mothers especially, don't understand what it feels like to lose a child over and over again. But many don't, and the insensitive hurtful comments keep on coming. Reading this book would probably help them to understand how hurtful actions and words can be, even when not intended to be.

5

Sep 12, 2013

This is a book I highly recommend to anyone trying to understand a friend or family member struggling with infertility, or as comfort to someone who is experiencing it. It's an excellent chronicle and description of the author's experiences, that I think most women who are or have gone through with this will identify with; though our treatments and individual circumstances vary. I especially appreciated and identified with her descriptions of how isolating and private the experience is.... how This is a book I highly recommend to anyone trying to understand a friend or family member struggling with infertility, or as comfort to someone who is experiencing it. It's an excellent chronicle and description of the author's experiences, that I think most women who are or have gone through with this will identify with; though our treatments and individual circumstances vary. I especially appreciated and identified with her descriptions of how isolating and private the experience is.... how even though you want to talk about it with people sometimes, the gory details of your experiences are not polite conversation... and that if you do find a way to share a few things, the responses you receive are often insensitive to the point you simply close off any discussion of your situation. Or that the majority of casual conversation does center around family and children. I also appreciate that she explains that the isolation never ends. That the most meaningful life experience and rite of passage for women is not a reality for all of us and the sense of being left out never goes away, but becomes a companion you learn to live with as you seek fulfillment in other life arenas. ...more

4

Nov 06, 2011

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was reading about the past 6 years of my life. I wish I could have all of my inner circle read it just to give them a better understanding of the emotional rollercoaster that haunts the most mundane of daily events of an infertile woman. Mrs. Tsigdinos put into words the complex emotions and internal struggles I have been battling since we received our diagnosis and bleak prognosis. She gave me words to use in difficult or I absolutely DEVOURED this book. I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was reading about the past 6 years of my life. I wish I could have all of my inner circle read it just to give them a better understanding of the emotional rollercoaster that haunts the most mundane of daily events of an infertile woman. Mrs. Tsigdinos put into words the complex emotions and internal struggles I have been battling since we received our diagnosis and bleak prognosis. She gave me words to use in difficult or uncomfortable situations with friends and family. A wonderful book!
...more

5

Jan 19, 2016

This book is amazing. I felt as if the author was inside my mind, sharing my personal thoughts and feelings. I have had difficulty explaining our journey, struggles and decision to finally stop trying with our "fertile" family & friends, and this provided me with not only ideas for communicating, but also a feeling of support and understanding that is tough to find in our kid-centric, mommy-centric society. Thank you, Pamela!

4

Feb 27, 2012

I'm one of the "fertiles", and although I've always tried to be compassionate towards "infertiles" (her wording!), this let me know just how much more compassionate I should be. Terrifying and brave. This should be required reading for...anyone, really! Since infertility is not discussed, it carries such a stigma, and as she writes, that just adds to the pain women are already experiencing.

4

Sep 17, 2011

This book captures so well the pain of infertility. I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time(!), and felt like the author had been reading my thoughts. I plan to share this with close family and friends to help them try to understand what my husband and I have been dealing with. Thank you, Ms. Tsigdinos, for writing this book.

5

Feb 13, 2012

Pretty much sums it all up. Something that I have struggled to voice. Thank you Pamela Tsigdinos for breaking the silence.

4

Nov 04, 2015

Great book. There aren't hardly any books on the market about infertility, let alone moving on from infertility to live child-free (by choice and by chance). It's truly even more of a small minority group. I can't read enough from women who have also gone through infertility...and come out the other end. It really is like putting yourself back together again, as the author describes in the last chapter. I loved reading how angry, bitter and sad she was because that was my experience, and the Great book. There aren't hardly any books on the market about infertility, let alone moving on from infertility to live child-free (by choice and by chance). It's truly even more of a small minority group. I can't read enough from women who have also gone through infertility...and come out the other end. It really is like putting yourself back together again, as the author describes in the last chapter. I loved reading how angry, bitter and sad she was because that was my experience, and the experience of many women I met face to face and formed relationships with. It's enough on its own to go through infertility and the death of a dream most people take for granted, without heaping mounds of guilt on yourself for feeling and thinking "bad" thoughts. It's comforting to know someone had those same dark emotions. I like how she addressed that while you "move on" from infertility to create a new life, with new goals, dreams and milestones, there really is no such thing. It will probably always lurk just beneath the surface.Though, with time I hope it gets buried a bit deeper. It's not something to get over. Especially since we're reminded of what we don't have, simply by just living in the world we live in, where family is paramount and mothers are regarded as deities to be worshiped by society. My only wish for this book was that she had talked more specifically on her life after she decided enough was enough and stopped treatments. I was hoping for more of a "how to" book, or at least what helped her through this difficult transition. There wasn't much of that, but it was still a great read. Overall, it was nice to see a book address the rollercoaster of emotions without then ending the story with a pregnancy and birth of a baby (like many do). We can still have our happy ending, even if it doesn't involve a child. Life can be worthwhile, and beautiful, and meaningful and full, all without a baby. ...more

5

Oct 14, 2013

I finished this book a week ago and am still not sure what to write.
All I can say for sure is, this book ought to be a mandatory read for ALL. 20% of couple struggle to conceive, and 14% are diagnosed with infertility (declared a disease by the WHO). Chances are you know someone personally who is suffering, and they likely have not mentioned it to you. I have been in this "silent sorority" for years, and am just now starting to speak out to those I know and love. It's hard because I don't want I finished this book a week ago and am still not sure what to write.
All I can say for sure is, this book ought to be a mandatory read for ALL. 20% of couple struggle to conceive, and 14% are diagnosed with infertility (declared a disease by the WHO). Chances are you know someone personally who is suffering, and they likely have not mentioned it to you. I have been in this "silent sorority" for years, and am just now starting to speak out to those I know and love. It's hard because I don't want to deal with the reactions of the ignorant. Well-meaning people often say and do the most hurtful things.
If you want to understand the struggle, read this.
If you are suffering, read this.
If you feel lost and you don't know how you will carry on, read this.
It will not fix the problem, but it will bring knowledge to "fertiles" who can't understand, and comfort for those who are experiencing infertility. ...more

5

Oct 15, 2009

Silent Sorority won the 2010 RESOLVE Best Book Award so I'm rating on behalf of the RESOLVE members. Many thanks for this honor.

4

Nov 08, 2012

This is one of the better infertility memoirs out there. It's comfort and validation for those who have been through the ringer and back to try to have biological children and learned that it's just not possible. It's also really good education (especially the chapters on her experiences with failed IVF cycles most importantly the adoption chapter) for the general "fertile"/childlessness by choice populations that just don't understand why people would go to such lengths to have a baby.

5

Oct 10, 2012

Terrifyingly true. I read the first half and thought someone had stolen my diary. I cried audibly when I read it. If friends of mine want to understand me better, they should read this book. Written by a brave soul about her own journey.

5

Mar 01, 2012

This is a wonderful memoir of the painful struggle to conceive and the just as painful struggle to accept that it isn't going to happen. Tsigdinos writes in an easy flowing style of a subject that isn't discussed nearly enough.

4

Nov 05, 2012

I had a hard time reading this book because it hit a little to close to home. I totally understood the author's frustration, sadness, grief, and outright anger caused by infertility. The world would be a better place if "fertile" people read this book. Some compassion toward those of us who are unable to conceive a child would make a huge difference to so many people!

5

Jun 28, 2013

I'm not sure how to review this book and do it full justice... A thoughtful and raw account of the reality that infertility plays in our lives, and the in-between world that those of us live in. Not childless by choice, not parents. The author gives hope that there is life without children, but also a haunting reality check that the hurt doesn't ever fully go away. A must read for anyone going through infertility or for their 'fertile' friends and family.

4

Aug 03, 2011

I didn't know it was possible to laugh and cry at the same time until I read this book. FINALLY- a book about what it's REALLY like to struggle with infertility without the typical "happy ending". The author clearly describes the long and difficult road to a complete (and happy!) life without children and the hurdles to get there. I am making this required reading for my family and close friends who have no idea what we're going through.

4

Nov 21, 2009

I learned a lot from this book. It helped me to better understand what women who can't have children go through. I know I will continue to learn because I will probably never fully realize the magnitude of this unfair condition. I see it can be overwhelming at times and there seems to be no "getting over it". Pamela (this author) feels dealing with it and facing it head-on is what helped her but it is process, with steps like grief, and is different for everyone, just like the grief process. It I learned a lot from this book. It helped me to better understand what women who can't have children go through. I know I will continue to learn because I will probably never fully realize the magnitude of this unfair condition. I see it can be overwhelming at times and there seems to be no "getting over it". Pamela (this author) feels dealing with it and facing it head-on is what helped her but it is process, with steps like grief, and is different for everyone, just like the grief process. It was kind of hard to read her story, because I felt she really felt sorry for herself, but in the end, that was what she needed to go through to end up not cured, but resigned to her life and seeing more clearly what she did have and not just focus on what she didn't.
I totally recommend this book to all adults. ...more

5

Jul 05, 2019

I wish that I couldn't relate to this book, but I very much do. Not being able to have children is emotionally and physically draining on so many levels. It hurts you, your partner, family, and friends. In this book, Pamela Tsigdinos writes the experience so well. In so many moments throughout the book, I thought she was writing about me and what I had been feeling. The anger, frustration, endless crying, avoiding people (especially babies and pregnant women) were all things that I dealt (and to I wish that I couldn't relate to this book, but I very much do. Not being able to have children is emotionally and physically draining on so many levels. It hurts you, your partner, family, and friends. In this book, Pamela Tsigdinos writes the experience so well. In so many moments throughout the book, I thought she was writing about me and what I had been feeling. The anger, frustration, endless crying, avoiding people (especially babies and pregnant women) were all things that I dealt (and to some extent still do) with during the battle with infertility.

I usually don't up this much about my personal life in a book review, but this book is about a deeply personal topic. Unless you have been there or know some very close to you has been there, you can't understand what it is like. The book gives a good idea so hopefully you will be more sympathetic. I have encountered far too many insensitive comments and flippant remarks (especially the tips that will 'definitely get you pregnant'). Unless I give a full health history, you have no idea I or someone else will get pregnant. You don't know the heartbreak each month of trying and failing. You have no idea how many tears have been shed. How you can feel so anxious and hopeful one minute all to have it crash down the next.

After a few years of trying naturally, my husband and I decided to go ahead with adoption. We don't have a ton of money, so we could either invest in adoption or fertility treatments. Neither of us were comfortable with the physical and emotional toll that fertility treatments would take on us (particularly have having a miscarriage and unable to get pregnant again). We previously discussed adopting AFTER we had kids of our own and they were a little older. But now that plan has been put to the forefront. Tsigdinos perfectly discusses the adoption questions that arise for infertile couples. If someone chooses to tell me that I will get pregnant after adopting, then I have decided to start rattling off statistics. In the 1970's a study found that only 8% of people that adopted got pregnant naturally after their adoption was complete. If you discount the number of people that are taking fertility treatments before hand, then I am sure that the number is still roughly the same. Since we are not, there is a 92% that it won't happen. Please stop trying to "give people hope" when you say those things. It is unkind and puts their adoption in a disparaging light. They are not adopting just so they will magically get pregnant. People are choosing to adopt because they want to expand their family and be parents. It is not an easy process and it is not for everyone. Do not just jump to conclusions when people say that they cannot have children. And if someone does tell you they are adopting, BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE ADOPTION! Do not go into warning remarks or discouraging statements. This happen to me shortly after announcing we were adopting and it nearly broke me again. If you feel the need to give a comment, please do with an understanding that you may not know their whole situation. Is it really best to give commentary on someone else's life when you don't know all of the details? Would you like it if someone did that to you? On the opposite side, if someone said that they were trying fertility treatments and that they did not want to adopt, then don't harass them about why they aren't adopting. BE SUPPORTIVE OF FERTILITY TREATMENTS! It is a difficult decision that each person facing infertility has to make on their own. Adopting is not an easy process and can take a while. That couple may want the experience of pregnancy and a child of their own. If people were just all around encouraging of each other, things might be a little better for everyone.

I am so sorry to go on a rant, but this book really helped to me to see that I am not alone and that all the thoughts and feelings I had, someone else had as well. If you are infertile, read this book. If you are fertile, read this book - just so that you can understand. ...more

0

Oct 28, 2019

a healthy disregard for the status quo

Not surprisingly, ovulation kits were positioned right next to the pregnancy kits. The logic being: if this, then that. HARDLY.

sigh. my self-esteem took another hit. The message was clear: Not qualified. Once more i felt like a failure.
I'd been trying on different clothes or looks to satisfy a greater urge to literally transform physically into a different person-a non-mom.

I always assumed I"d be consumed at this point in my life with more conventional a healthy disregard for the status quo

Not surprisingly, ovulation kits were positioned right next to the pregnancy kits. The logic being: if this, then that. HARDLY.

sigh. my self-esteem took another hit. The message was clear: Not qualified. Once more i felt like a failure.
I'd been trying on different clothes or looks to satisfy a greater urge to literally transform physically into a different person-a non-mom.

I always assumed I"d be consumed at this point in my life with more conventional concerns and distractions

I realized pain was not something one could compare or measure or put a value on.

The voice inside my head all but screamed out: Can't you see my suffering?

pg 104

primarily defining myself as an "infertile woman". My response: society already did that work for infertiles. We never had a choice in the matter. Day in, day out, countless references from other established "fertility" as a key component of their identity.
one positions oneself by positioning the other guy

pg 126 on adoption

pg 144 only child reference cliche

to disclose something i had been socialized to hide

pg 155

You think about what's going on in your life. If you want to be shielded from that conversation, you need to say something. Just as i have to say something when I hear a mothers tell her daughter she looks fat. It's a process of education. We all have our hot buttons.

I couldn't help but think, there goes another one, graduation and moving on.

we're living our own kind of normal. This is our normal. This is what our life is supposed to be.
That's when it became clear to me. I had spent the better part of m adult life in a losing battle bu allowing other people and traditions to dictate was was "normal," to let their ideas define me and my life. I had to stop using the fertile world as a measuring stick.

the buzz kill associated with my story... instead i was left feeling and closeted.
Why, i wondered, did we infertile folk feel it necessary to go out of our way to protect others from the reality of our experiences, to suffer silently wishing we had a repertoire of our own (fill in the blank) nature to tell?

I certainly never aspired to be an infertility community "poster child," but I was beyond frustrated at living in a society that preferred people in my situation to be silent, invisible. There are no walkathons, golf tournaments, fundraisers, or consistent celebrity-led efforts to raise awareness and understanding about the topic. The muted voices of the infertile only serve to perpetuate the shame and stigma.

I slowly realized that submitting to the pain, not trying to control or deny it, was the first step to healing.

Infertility clearly caused collateral damage. The losses extended well beyond me.

Adoption is NOT a solution for infertility. As if taking someone else's child and causing them pain and loss will somehow cure yours. That is most unfair to children who are made to feel like 'replacements.'
[continue to speak out!]

help educate those who want to be educated

pg 191

We can't take away the pain. All we can do it transform in response to it. ...more

4

Mar 20, 2013

As a woman suffering infertility I have read countless memoirs on the subject but this one really struck a chord with me. The author is a very talented writer and manages to inject some humor now and again into what is a very dark subject. I find it interesting how each person copes with infertility and although Pamela coped differently to me I could resonate with all the situations she found herself in. A truly inspiring read for anyone on this painful journey

5

Dec 10, 2012

If you've ever wanted to get inside the head of someone who has experienced infertility, this is a must-read book. Pamela shares how devastating the diagnosis and treatments can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Of all the ways out of infertility, living child-free has been the least understood, and this book shows how one couple endured it.

3

Jul 02, 2013

I expected a lot from this based on the other reviews. I liked it, but it didn't quite meet my high expectations. I struggle with memoirs a little, and prefer to read novels, which may have contributed to my low-ish rating.

3

Dec 22, 2012

I appreciated Ms. Tsigdinos' raw emotion and her story. The last part of the book felt more like she had scraped some blog comments together into a chapter or two, rather than really exploring what happy adult life without children looked like.

3

Sep 09, 2015

This book was heart renching to read. She really gives a voice to women suffering from infertility and offers a glimps into this world of injections and anguish. I was thoroughly engrossed with her story.

4

Jan 07, 2013

important book and great for people in the throes of infertility