It’s been a while since I’ve published a post so I thought I would give a quick update on where I am and my trip to Dubai! I say quick because I’ve been constantly asked/encouraged to start a YouTube channel – apparently people prefer to watch rather than read… I’m still on the fence with this so I’ve decided to be mindful about the length of my posts – don’t want you all to think I’m a constant essay writer 🙂

It’s been a busy few of months of juggling motherhood, working on the direction of 9MAW (9MonthsandWaiting), to planning my next event, to being invited to speak in Dubai! Aaaahhhhhhhhh I can actually say that I am a International Speaker- like literally. For those of you thinking, it was only one event – doesn’t matter, lol

Our family travelled to Dubai with two other families- 5 adults (Mr B couldn’t make it) and 4 children. I think I was a little delusional when booking because I was still under the Impression that we could do all things we usually do on holiday… You know, sunbath, sleep on the beach, water park, Shopping, excursions … the wake up call was real!

We had an awesome time staying at the FIVE Palm Jumeirah and I’m already planning next years’ visit- with the kids! Lol

On the 23rd September 2017, I woke up with such joy, excitement and nervousness… The day had finally come where I was going to be a guest speaker at Bourn Hall Fertility Centre Dubai. I’m not normally nervous when speaking publicly but, I felt a little out of my comfort zone, probably because it was a different country. My blog is about my fertility journey and faith and, I was also nervous as to how I was going to explain the extent to which my Christian faith has helped me to a room full of potentially all Muslim attendees… I do thank God because He definitely helped me to speak straight from the heart and articulate my journey in a way that did not offend or come across as a Sunday Church service.

 

There was the feeling of “I hope I’m not rubbing this in their face?”. I was asked to bring my hubby and son with me so the attendees could see my little miracle. The look of shock I received from a couple when I walked in was definitely one of the most awkward moments ever. I’m so happy that I got the opportunity to speak with the woman at the water machine and learn a little about her journey. She asked me why I didn’t want twins… (mmmhh assumptions, assumptions) I explained that I would have loved twins but, when you’re under the NHS, you cannot have a multiple embryo transfer if you are under 40- I think that’s a topic for another post.

Once I had finished speaking, I took a long look at all the faces in the room. Some were smiling, some were looking down, some sad but, the one that stood out to me the most was a beautiful lady seated in the back with watery eyes. When I returned to my seat, she came over to thank me for sharing my story and giving her “hope”. She explained where she and her husband were on their journey and as we hugged, we both cried… I felt her pain- I had been there. Even with a little glimmer of hope, there is still that lingering feeling of “what if it doesn’t work?”

I hung around to speak with a few other people and was then taken on a tour of the clinic. It was nothing like the one here in England – I mean, patients have their own recovery room with amazing views of Dubai. I was also taken down a corridor which was filled with the numerous awards Bourn Hall had received and I once again felt blessed to be working with the pioneers of IVF.

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Reliving my journey is always a bitter sweet moment because you kinda go through the emotions again. It brings certain feelings back to the forefront of your mind and I found myself thinking and crying about it for the rest of the day. I’m so thankful to my two friends Lola (Mrs B) and Liz for being so supportive and seeing the bigger picture.

Before I go on any more, I’ll have a new post out by the end of the week about my event with my local Clinical Commissioning Group! Super Excited 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

Be Encouraged, Be Expectant