Sunday, October 11, 2009

The Infertility Book

What, wait, where did a whole month go since I last posted?


Sorry about that. Well, not that many people care, but hey. I feel that I don't really have all that much to say. I don't have a kid I can post regular updates on, and it's not like I suddenly have any great insight into how to fix infertility. I mean, I'm learning more each week about acupuncture theories and about the points, and how to tie it together into treatments, but am not yet in any position to really pull everything together in a cogent way. And there's only so many times I can post "I'm really busy" before it gets uber-tedious. But if you were to walk into the student clinic next semester with low back pain, and I was working there, I finally know what to do off the top of my head without having to go and look it up in the book. Woot.

However, I will report that I spend much of my time when I am aimlessly driving to and from the grocery store, or other humdrum activity, mentally composing the introduction to my great work - the book to end all books on infertility. Hah. If only, eh? But, just so you know, it starts off humbly detailing my abject failures in IVF, goes on to say how I met my wonderful husband (already we're in fantasy land here, because no wonderful husband is yet in sight), how I naturally conceived quickly (snort), had my amazing child at 42/43/44, then went on to discover how to reliably treat infertility patients in my busy and successful acupuncture practice (lalalalala-land). OR, in the alternative version, it starts off by saying that even though I remained an abject infertile failure, I still have something to say on the topic. Due to said fabulous and successful acupuncture practice. Bwahahaha.

My interest was piqued this week by news that my school is thisclose to starting up a PhD program in acu. And that certain students in my class (who are, ahem, not quite as brainily inclined as moi) are contemplating doing it once we have graduated from the Masters program. And I thought, hey, why are they contemplating it, and not I?? If it takes a few years to build a practice, and you are effectively experimenting on your patients during that time, to find out what really works for you, why not spend that time really experimenting, by formally conducting research and writing a thesis? Into infertility, of course. And then use said research as the basis for my aforementioned fantasy book.

I have no idea how the financing would work out, or if I really could do this, or what. But it certainly gives me something else to mentally chew over in the car. I wonder if the local IVF clinic would cut a deal with an old patient and do a joint study with me? Hmmm....

5 comments:

calliope said...

so glad you posted. I always want to know what you are up to. And contemplating a phd AND a kick ass book?? yes please. wow.

you say "fantasy", I say it sounds like a calling.
xo

Care said...

Wow - PhD - why not? Then you'd have even more impressive credentials for your book jacket bio.

nik sonfield said...

Dear Sarah,


Hi, my name is Nik Sonfield and I’m writing on behalf of Mind’s Eye Productions and it’s founder, Deirdre Fishel. We love your blog and thought that you and your readers might be interested in Deirdre’s latest documentary, “Sperm Donor X.” The film follows three single women and their experiences as they attempt to become pregnant using sperm donors.

As the daughter of a single mother who chose to use a sperm donor, I believe strongly in this project. I hope you will take the time to visit our website, mindseyeprods.com, for further information. We need more media material that humanizes the sperm donor process! Get “Sperm Donor X” and share it with your friends and community! We need your support!


Here is a little more information from Deirdre about her documentary:


My name is Deirdre Fishel and I have just completed editing a deeply personal documentary that follows me and three other diverse women as we decide to pursue single motherhood, navigate the bizarre waters of picking sperm donors over the internet, deal with our parents, try to get pregnant, and ultimately embrace how lucky we are to be alive now and able to create joyous families of biological and adopted children.

I started the project six years ago, filming myself and the other women for two years. But when my kids were born I took a hiatus, for many reasons. Two years later the call to continue came when a friend wrote an article on single mothers by choice. These women were freaks. They were humorless, even their children seemed to bring them no joy. I become obsessed with telling the story from the inside. The film received a New York State Council of the Arts grant which took it through more shooting. Editing has just been completed by a two-time Academy Award nominee who worked on deferment because he believed so strongly in the project. Now all we need is to raise finishing funds to get it out.

The film is fiscally sponsored by WOMEN MAKE MOVIES, so all donations are tax deductible. Give a $100, get a DVD and a credit on the film. But no donation is too small. Or if you want to help in another way give a house party where you show the film and invite your friends. Every dollar counts. My contact info is ph: 917-922-7845 email:deirdref@mindspring.com. Go to mindseyeprods.com or stilldoingit.com to learn more about me and my work.

Only six percent of children will grow up in a traditional family, meaning two straight people, who marry first, have kids and don't separate. We need more images that show that while going it alone certainly isn't easy, alternative families are in now way second best. Thanks in advance for your support!

Checks can be made to Women Make Movies and sent to Deirdre Fishel, 406 Douglass St., Brooklyn, NY 11217

Tanya said...

I miss reading what you're up to! I hope you'll update soon...

Me said...

sounds interesting...