So, I know this topic will seem a bit out of the blue, but it’s one of those topics that I felt I needed to add b/c not many women talk about it.  And so far, none of the blogs I’ve read have ever mentioned it either.  It’s regarding children, or rather, the choice of not having children post-transplant.

A song came on the radio the other day where the man sang about seeing the future of his and his lover’s lives together (with children, etc.) in her eyes (Damn!  To have THAT skill…), and it stuck with me and kind of made me giggle.  What if he was singing that to me, all romantic and mushy, and I had to cut him short and be all “Um… can I stop you there?  Sorry, we need to talk.”

See, I’ve chosen not to have children biologically.  There are a number of reasons why I’ve made this choice, but it seems to be a topic that most women in my situation are shy to say out loud because it can be so controversial.  I have had a couple of boyfriends break up with me because they thought I was “unhealthy” or because I was not willing to have “his” children.  I’m not sorry they are no longer a part of my life b/c it’s obvious that they were never meant for me to begin with.  I’ve even heard someone say, in so many words, that a woman’s life is “worthless” if she doesn’t have children.  I’m sorry that these people feel so strongly for such a shallow point-of-view, and that is why I’m writing this post.

I’ve watched as my friends and coworkers have expanded their families and raised beautiful children of their own, however, whenever the tables turn and I am asked the question that all women without children get – “So, when do you think YOU will have kids?” – I’ve noticed that sometimes when I responded, it was almost apologetically, as if I had to be ashamed of that choice, as if I was embarrassed to go against what society seems to expect of me as a woman to do because I have a uterus.  (I promise, I’m not launching into a woman’s lib speech, bear with me!)

A lot of my choice is based on my medical issues.  While I’ve never been the type of girl who’s always dreamed of giving birth to my own army, it was a big punch in the gut when my doctors – one by one – began telling me how high of a risk I’d be should I ever try to have children.  They all basically told me that if I REALLY REALLY wanted to have a child, they would find a way to make it happen, but they strongly advised me against it saying it could very possibly kill me.

As a woman, the idea of having the ability to give life taken away from me was very sad and disheartening.  It was so final, and yes, I even struggled with the whole “isn’t this what makes me a woman?” question.   Luckily, the feeling was short-lived.   It became just another one of those choices I’ve had to make in order to maintain a healthy life and…well, to actually STAY alive.  I’m not saying that women can’t have babies post-transplant.  Not at all.  A lot of women have successfully had children post-transplant, and a lot of women with Type 1 Diabetes have successfully done the same.  It’s the combination, however, of having Type 1 Diabetes, a transplant, heart issues, and Celiac Disease (which I’ve been reading can sometimes cause infertility), that makes for a very life-threatening situation that I am not ready to risk.  I fought too hard to KEEP this life, I’m not about to lose it any time soon!

Not only that, but most of my health issues are hereditary.  While it’s not guaranteed, I don’t want to take the chance of passing any of my health issues on to a child if I know I have the ability to prevent it.  It’s one thing for ME to have the strength to go through all this, but I would not be able to stomach watching an innocent child suffer through what I had to.  Nope!  Not for me.

Every person is different and it is a very important and personal decision to make.  A human life is not something I’m willing to gamble just for the sake of genetics, or to fit into society’s idea of what my role in life should be.  I HAVE a family.  A WONDERFUL one that consists of my parents, my sister, my relatives, and all of my friends who shape my existence and give me a very fulfilling and purposeful life!  Deciding to be childless post-transplant has been promising for me b/c it’s giving me the opportunity to spend more time with the people I love, and I am not sorry for that.  If this is your decision too, I hope you feel just as confident being able to say the same.  🙂

1.  I have a strong circle of child-free girlfriends who keep me from feeling as if I’m the only person alive not having babies.
2.  I’m thankful to have parents who have never pressured me or guilted me into feeling as if I had to give them grandchildren.  They love my kitties just as much as I do.  🙂
3.  Excited that in a month, I’ll be in Austin getting to visit with friends whom I haven’t seen in WAAAAY too long!