The Empty Picture Frame: An Inconceivable Journey Through Infertility

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!

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.

I, like many others that walk the infertility path, have read at least a dozen books on the topic. Not until now have I read something so close to my own private thoughts, feelings and insecurities. Between websites and TV I knew Jenna's full story would touch my heart, but I never expected to walk away feeling such a connection to someone I had never met. This book touched topics that many of us can't or don't talk about. When I reached the end of this book, I immediately began to cry. Tears, not only for Jenna and Mike, but for the realization that there were others out there who felt the same range of emotions that we do. For the first time, in a long time, we were not alone. Thank you Jenna and Mike, for sharing your personal, private journey with us. And thank you for writing ours. You've done a tremendous job.

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...