Anh-Chi: Although I shouldn't care what people say, I've always been the type to clarify myself. So to set things straight, I did NOT start the rumor that I'm pregnant just to make my mother-in-law happy. My sister-in-law went ahead and told her before I arrived in Vietnam. All of my in-laws agreed this would not only make her happy, but give her hope to live longer. So long as my mother-in-law follows her doctor's orders, reduces her stress, and surrounds herself with supportive loved ones, she can manage to stay in relative control of her health.

In the past several years, she's been quite stubborn and refused to take certain medications. This is why her health has deteriorated so quickly in the recent months. Just last week, the family thought she was ready to go, but luckily she was discharged from the hospital as soon as my husband and I arrived in Vietnam.

Throughout this entire trip, my mother-in-law has been happier than ever. She's thrilled to see me and my husband, and talks constantly about living long enough to spend time with our future baby. She even says she'd like to live another 20 years, and although that might seem like an unrealistic dream at this point, she's quite determined to stay healthy for as long as it takes.

None of this is fabricated, nor is it an attempt to seek attention, praise, or sympathy. I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart: I feel helpless in my efforts to grant my mother-in-law her most important wish. I cannot emphasize enough how much she'd like to have grandchildren, and that her strength to live has been influenced by this strong desire. I'm going to do everything in my power this month to make it happen. And if for any reason it doesn't, I'll seek medical assistance.

The main reason why I'm even trying so hard to conceive is for my mother-in-law. When she was living with us, she asked me every day if I could start trying. When I realized the seriousness in her tone and where her wish was coming from, I decided it was the right time. Yes, there are other factors including our military life and constraints, but the overriding concern is my mother-in-law.

As with any reality-based series, there's going to be the good and the bad. People are not always going to agree with every decision the participants make. In the end, the participants should be given credit though, for being honest and sharing their vulnerabilities with the public. Nobody in their right mind would share their private life in such a way (especially on a topic that is this sensitive), merely to gain moral support or instantaneous fame. In fact, this project has made it even more stressful than anything else.

The only hope we all have is to start an open dialogue for women on pregnancy issues that are normally considered taboo to discuss. We sincerely want to let other women know they are not alone in their pursuits to conceive. Even more important, there are tremendous resources out there. Before, I had no idea First Response had a medical doctor and other professionals available for public assistance. Overall, this project is not about the individual women participating. It's about conceiving women at large, and how we can connect as a community to support one another.

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