Have to take a cycle off. Advice/thoughts?

sarahtoledo

I'm having gallbladder surgery soon, and have to take this cycle off. This is our first break we've taken since starting TTC.  I'm really bummed about it, mostly because I'll be turning 37 soon and I feel like we're trying to beat the clock.  

I wondered if anyone had words of advice or wanted to share their experience with taking a cycle off?  I'm really angry/upset about it now and want to try to think about it differently.

TIA 

06hoky

I've had to take forced breaks before and it sucks at first.  But honestly it's done me good to step back and just not think about it for a few weeks.  Then when it was time to start again I was recharged and ready to go.  Sometimes I think it was a blessing in disguise.

BeeBee08

First, I hope your surgery goes well! 

I took quite a long break from Christmas until March and I wasn't happy to do it at first, but then it felt great to be thinking about other things, our sex-life was great again, and everything got brighter.  You will probably be ready to jump back into it and like Mrs. Graves said, you'll feel "recharged".  Good Luck! 

sarahtoledo

bfarrell:

First, I hope your surgery goes well! 

I took quite a long break from Christmas until March and I wasn't happy to do it at first, but then it felt great to be thinking about other things, our sex-life was great again, and everything got brighter.  You will probably be ready to jump back into it and like Mrs. Graves said, you'll feel "recharged".  Good Luck! 

You know, I've already noticed our sex life improving!  It's good to do it again just for fun.   

pennylanehd

Ditto on hoping your surgery goes well.  So far, we have only taken one two-month break for the holidays, and it was totally worth it to be able to focus on family and travel freely.  If you are able to travel after your surgery, maybe you could take a weekend away or at least spend lots of time doing things you can't do now (working out, drinking coffee, going to a sauna, etc.).

Sunflower0908

When I've had to take a few forced breaks, I tried to plan lots of fun stuff - weekends away, dinners with friends, long walks, gym etc. I tried to change my mindset and do things that would be harder once I was cycling again. Keeping myself busy meant the time went by quicker.

Good luck with your surgery, and I hope your break flies by.

Mr. & Mrs. Woodtick

I am really sorry that you have to have surgery and I wish you a speedy recovery. When we are on a break I just really try to take the time to focus on other things that I need to do that I may have been neglecting like cleaning out closets and stuff. I also try to plan a few fun things with MH since TTC can really take the fun out of our relationship sometimes.

Mrs.McIrish

Everything the prior posters said.  I had a forced break for cysts. I'm sort of expecting that to happen now every other month. I was mad last month but sort of looking forward to a forced break now. I don't know how you will feel after your surgery but just try to take it easy and put away all TTC reminders. Imagine your TTC-self and try to be her again!  It can do a world of good.  I totally relate to the "losing valuable months" as I am 37 too but there is nothing you can do. It's out of your control. That's what I hate most about IF. 

madelyn07

We've had to take many, many cycles off while TTC. First and foremost is my DH's schedule (he is a college coach so he has a crazy schedule and is gone more than he is home). Every year we have to take a break from January-June and then other random times when he's recruiting or has fall games. We've also had to take breaks because of residual cysts. Last June we were cycling and I had a gallbladder attack and had to cancel our cycle midway through (I actually was supposed to drive the night I ended up in the ER --a Friday night-- and was in the hospital until Tuesday).

They all suck.

I don't handle breaks well. A lot of people are able to forget about IF and just be normal and happy during breaks but not me. The positives are that I can eat whatever I want, I can drink, I don't have to be up at the buttcrack of dawn for appointments but..I tend to be a pessimist.

Just hang in there. You'll get through. I know you know this but in the grand scheme of things, one month really isn't that bad. I saw your post about losing weight so maybe focus on that! Good luck!