Customer Reviews

The Empty Picture Frame: An Inconceivable Journey Through Infertility

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read Jenna's book in two hours last night, I couldn't put it down. It made me feel nauseous, terrified, relieved, validated, and as she so eloquently put it, just simply "sad for myself". It rolled me back through time, over the past seven bumpy years of my marriage that have been oh so similar to Jenna and Mike's story.

The most important thing that this book has done for me, and I hope for all those who come across it, is to FINALLY UNDERSTAND that infertility is a disease.

A disease. I woke up with that word in my mind this morning. I get it. It is not my fault, not my husband's, not the millions of things that I have wondered about over the years. Karma? No. A lack of positive thinking? No. Not enough organic food? No.

Exquistely painful and misunderstood? Yes.

Infertility is a disease and "The Empty Picture Frame" brings that fact public. This book will help to remove the stigma and taboo that are associated with infertility in North America and for that I am grateful.

Struggling with infertility is challenging all by itself without the added emotional struggles that must be faced. In my personal situation I've found that not many people, even family members, can relate to or understand what I've been going through. Even a relative whose gone through IVF doesn't understand. I found that Jenna wrote this book not just for me, but for those who love me. Both myself and my husband breezed through the book and feel as if the stories are about us. My mom has also read it and developed a greater understanding of what we're going through. Next we'll have the family members who can't understand why we don't attend children's birthday parties or baby showers read it. Jenna gives such wonderful advice on all of these situations that make us feel so irrational...and reminds us we're not! This should be a MUST read for anyone who is just beginning their infertility journey or has been on the journey much too long.

I first saw Jenna on the Oprah Winfrey show. I immediately felt connected to her because of her struggle with infertility. I could totally understand her pain. She was the first person I had seen that I honestly felt I could relate to.

So when I saw that she had written a book about her story, I just had to buy it. This book is an amazing resource for infertility! It gives the full picture of what it's like to go through all the stages of infertility, from before "trying to conceive" all the way through many IVF attempts. Jenna has given the reader an inside glimpse into the life of an infertile.

The way she tells her story (along with her husband's two cents every so often) is so compelling. It really was hard to put down.

This book is not only a great resource to someone personally struggling with infertility but also to those who who know of someone else who is struggling with it.

After I finished the book I gave it to my mom so she could get a glimpse of what I was going through. And most importantly, so she could read the helpful hints Jenna talks about at the end of the book as to how to best support someone going through infertility. These suggestions are so dead on! I wish I would've given it to her years ago.

Overall, I just can't recommend this book enough!

This book is beautifully written, and it represents an honest account of what it feels like to endure the heartache of infertility and loss. This disease affects every aspect of your life, and it leaves you feeling isolated. In reading this book, you will realize that you are not alone. And even better, you can hand this book over to your friends and family to help them understand.

As someone who has dealt with infertility and loss, I can honestly say that this book is very touching. While my journey has been different, some of the author's experiences were word for word, the same as mine. She addresses the physical and emotional toll of infertility in a way that no doctor can.

If you know someone who is struggling with infertility, I would highly recommend reading this book. There are some great suggestions on how you can offer support.

Jenna and Mike: Thank you for sharing your story. I admire your courage. May your dreams of a family come true...

I received this book just before my 2nd IVF treatment and read it in 2 days. Finally someone articulates what this experience is really like. I feel like Jenna is my best friend, my sister, even though she doesn't know me. We have a connection on a level that sometimes it feels like nobody else gets (but she doesn't even know it). If you are suffering from infertility this is a must read. No matter what stage you are in, you will know that you are not alone and there is a courageous person out there putting all her raw feelings down on paper to give us the courage to carry on. Her husband Mike adds a man's perspective as well. Pass this on to anyone who even knows someone who is going through infertility so they can gain a better understanding of what it is truly like to suffer from this ailment. If you buy only book on infertility make this the one.

I, like Jenna, am an IVF veteran who has endured many years of heartache and pain. I've read many books on the topic of infertility....humorous books, how-to books, scientific and technical books, etc, but I have never read a book on the topic that has touched my heart as Jenna's has. This book was so honest and raw with emotion...the real emotions that infertiles feel. Jenna did not try to sugarcoat infertility in any way, and I respect that and found it refreshing. Although I have never met Jenna personally, through her book, I feel like I know her well. Afterall, we are both veterans of the same war.

I've also passed this book on to some of my family members. Although they have been very supportive throughout this process, I really think they will be able to empathize even better after reading a fellow infertile's innermost thoughts and feelings on the daily struggles that make life so difficult for those on this journey.

I would recommend this book to anyone dealing with infertility. Whether you're a vet or a newbie to the journey, you will absolutely find this book helpful and you will realize that you're not alone.

I cannot recommend this book enough. The day I received it from Amazon, I stayed up until 3 am to finish it in one sitting. I cried my eyes out the entire time. I plan on sharing it with my mom next, in hopes that we can learn to relate to one another. The author displayed incredible courage and strength in giving infertility a voice. I couldn't agree more that infertility is less about the statistics, and more about the person. This is a must read for anyone struggling with infertility and the family and friends who struggle to understand.

This book tells the truth, the raw, unadulterated truth about what it's like to walk the path of an infertile couple, trying again and again without success. If you're not infertile, you'll realize empathy and compassion in these pages, and learn what not to say. If you're infertile, you will see yourself here. Jenna holds nothing back. She doesn't make it pretty or cute or lighthearted. She invites you to experience the emotions along with her. This book is an invaluable emotional resource for infertiles and those who care about them.

What an amazing book! I have gone thru 7 hearbreaking IVF's myself & only heard about this book after my struggles. It was nice to read I was not the only one going thru that terrible pain. I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with infertility or knows someone going thru it. If this book was out while I was in the worst pain of my life I would have bought 100 copies & gave it to everyone in my family so they would stop hurting me more with all the questions. If you buy this book you will not be disapointed. WONDERFUL to read.

I was online searching for a book to validate my feelings. My husband listens well which counts for a lot but he doesn't go through the same feelings as I do. I read this book out load to him and he listened with such passion, it made me realize he really is involved. He said he learned the depth of pain I've been talking about. I am not one who buys books to read often but this one I really couldn't put down. What an amazing read, even for people who haven't been through it but are trying to understand the process. Even helpful tips on how to help. I can't say enough about this book. It is a must read! It will validate your every feeling, you won't put it down because you'll feel like you finally found a place where 'someone' understands.