Reaffirming my commitment to Infertility
The International Federation of Fertility Societies annual conference in Athens, Greece:
Last month the International Federation of Fertility Societies met in Athens, Greece, and I’m so pleased to say I was able to be a part of the event.
Packing up for a quick trip to Europe – leaving my family at home for four days at the start of the school year – wasn’t easy. But I made the arrangements and found myself at the airport – only to start receiving notifications of delay after delay after delay. A hurricane, a flash-flood warning. Would it be worth going, if these delays kept shaving time off my already short trip?
Then I heard the announcement: because of all the delays, the airline would allow us to cancel at no cost. Sitting in the airport, I played out both scenarios in my head. The idea of going home was tempting.
But my commitment to show up for the fertility space won out, and I’m so glad it did. Stepping off the plane in Athens, where I was greeted by prickly pears and palo verde trees, I felt like I was home in Las Cruces. I just kept thinking, “What a beautiful tie-back to New Mexico, right here in the Mediterranean.”
At the conference, I delved into two crucial topics: PCOS and endometriosis. In the world of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) I learned about new technologies, updated diagnostic guidelines, and related pregnancy complications of this complex yet common condition. I never want someone to sit down for a session and feel like they have to teach me new terminology or best practices. Now I feel equipped to not only listen more deeply but to help patients self-advocate when they go to their next medical appointment.
As for endometriosis, I had an opportunity to deepen my understanding to allow me to empathize with the diagnosis and the pain that comes with it, in the fertility and pregnancy journey.
I came home feeling reinvigorated, and grateful that the hurricane didn’t keep me away from this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to the core areas of my practice.