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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed, October 4, 2004
This review is from: Girlfriend to Girlfriend: A Fertility Companion (Paperback)
I could relate to this book until I got to the very end. I felt misled and betrayed by the author. No where on the back of the book or clearly stated in any of these reviews, is the clarification that this author only dealt with her fertility challenge "temporarily." She struggled and had a lot of pain and hardship for 3 years, but then she got the happy ending- her own little baby boy. This book seems to be marketed to those dealing with infertility (or fertility challenges) and the author herself wants to help women going through the struggle. This is admirable. And the description of her own struggle (which is 99% of the book) is deeply moving. But I wish I had known going into reading this book that she does go on to have a baby. Because what about those of us that don't get the happy ending? (At least not in the form of a pregnancy that works out?) I am one of those, and was anxiously waiting to hear how she moved past the pain into some semblance of peace and acceptance. A life beyond a desire for a baby. But she didn't stay fertility challenged so she never had to find a way beyond broken hopes, desires and the anger. She got lucky. But she puts a spiritual spin on it all that in a way is hurtful to those of us who she is supposedly trying to help- the fertility challenged who maybe stay fertility challenged! Just as she was feeling betrayed by her God, and wanting to release the anger so she could reconnect to a spiritual path, she got her "bundle of miracle." She implies that because she gave her struggle over to God, and decided to do something to try to help others, that is the reason in the end she got her baby. I came away from this book feeling really awful! There are a lot of women who have come to a spiritual crisis in their journey and let go to a higher power and who also contribute much in this world to help others. But we don't all get what we "want," the outcome so hoped for as Kristen did. There is a time when the window shuts and those women have to find a way to move on. If this is what you are looking for and need help with, this book does not offer much help or guidance in that way.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do you remember what it was like to laugh ... truly laugh, August 18, 2005
This review is from: Girlfriend to Girlfriend: A Fertility Companion (Paperback)
I read this book from cover to cover in one night. I just couldn't put it down. For the first time in months, I smiled, laughed, cried and laughed some more. I felt like I was able to breathe again ... truly breathe. I was not alone.
Infertility is a terrible thing to go through and I commend Kristen Magnacca for being brave enough to share her story. My favorite part of the book was when Kristen talked about always trying to be first in line at the doctors' office when she had to go for blood work time and time again. Me too, I've done that! This actually gave me back a sense of sanity. It was a small triumph, but never the less a triumph! I learned to recognize all victories big or small along this rollercoaster ride they call infertility.
Reading this book helped me get out of bed many mornings when I otherwise would not have. It reminded me to how good it felt to laugh and that I was not alone. Although I have many girlfriends to talk too ... no one understands as well as a girlfriend that has been through it, Girlfriend to Girlfriend.
I have purchased many copies of this book and send it to friends new and old that I learn are also going through infertility. Although I am still on the rollercoaster, I hope to someday touch someone's life as Kristen did mine by writing this book. As infertility takes away so many things, the gift of hope, encouragement and laughter is one we can take back. Thank you Kristen for this truly wonderful gift.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A personal record of an infertility journey, July 19, 2001
This review is from: Girlfriend to Girlfriend: A Fertility Companion (Paperback)
Girlfriend to Girlfriend is a very personal story shared by Kristen Magnacca as she goes along her own infertility journey. Kristen's tale is quite descriptive and provides a view into one person's detailed experience of the world of infertility. If you are without support, this book lets you know what the process was like for Kristen and may help you feel connected with someone who experienced a similar struggle. I will recommend the book to coaching clients who are alone and need a sense that others also have rough infertility experiences. The book is somewhat similar to A Little Pregnant by Linda Carbone and Ed Decker. Because I felt so completely a part of the experience through Carbone's book, I missed the perspective of Kristen's husband in this one. At the end of each chapter, Kristen has a suggestion or two. While these are useful, there aren't many of them. For me, the best part of the book is the personal sharing.
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