Invalidated

If I share my experiences with infertility and those I share with validate these experiences by saying they, too, had their own experiences, does that then invalidate my experience? I feel lucky that since going public with my struggle, many women have shared their own experiences…my fear is that infertility will become so common that individuals will get lost in the process of sharing. I don’t want women to feel the need to “one up” one other (I have heard countless times from other women that I should just be thankful that at least I have my daughter). Of course I am thankful but please don’t invalidate my sadness of not being able to have another.  Why can’t women just listen to each other.. really hear one another and just provide open support? Why must it always be so hostile even when it comes to something so personal as fertility treatment?
Honestly, and personally speaking…I don’t want to be lost.