Any cancer survivors tic

[Anonymous]

I had hodgkins as a teen and now I'm worried that I may not have the chance to be a mother. My oncologist talked about the long term effects of chemo, but at the time my parents and I were focused on survival. Anyone else dealing with the same issue? I wish we could have frozen some eggs at that time but it was not an option and now I'm 27 and engaged to be married. My fiance knows my history but I don't think he really gets how it will impact our future.

[Anonymous]

I do not, sorry. But I would make an appointment to see a fertility doctor, (reproductive endocrinologist), ask them for a consult. Ask him if he has a way to assess your fertility in general/in the context of the chemo. If it does wind up that you have difficulty, he can explain the "alternative" ways to get pregnant (there are many- like donor egg, etc.) I give you a lot of credit for looking into this now to better prepare for your future. Knowledge is power, and if you understand your options you will be better able to plan your lives. Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

You are just researching these things, but as the PP pointed out there are many ways to build a family these days. Donor Egg would be the starting point if you can't use your own eggs, but if you find you can't carry there is always surrogacy. Not cheap and not what everyone hopes and dreams for in starting a family- but it is a wonderful pathway to staring your family should you need it. I have known some cancer survivors who have used surrogates successfully to have a family. if you research now and learn you'll need a surrogate, the good news is you have time to process and save and research for the journey.

[Anonymous]

My husband and I tried for 7 years with no luck. He had very low sperm count. Then he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 30. Astonishingly enough, one year later I was diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma and knew then there was no hope for a child. 3 weeks after my last chemo session I got quite ill and the drs thought my cancer had come back.

But, a miracle - I was pregnant and had a perfect baby boy. 3 years later I unexpectantly fell pregnant again, and then another miracle 4 years later again. 3 beautiful miracle boys and I'll tell you that there isn't almost a day goes by that I am close to tears with gratefulness for my children.

I really wish you luck, but just remember you can be a mom in many different ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I tried for 7 years with no luck. He had very low sperm count. Then he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 30. Astonishingly enough, one year later I was diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma and knew then there was no hope for a child. 3 weeks after my last chemo session I got quite ill and the drs thought my cancer had come back.

But, a miracle - I was pregnant and had a perfect baby boy. 3 years later I unexpectantly fell pregnant again, and then another miracle 4 years later again. 3 beautiful miracle boys and I'll tell you that there isn't almost a day goes by that I am close to tears with gratefulness for my children.

I really wish you luck, but just remember you can be a mom in many different ways.

Your post made my day. Great way of saying you beat the odds, but that regardless there are MANY ways to become a Parent and at the end of the day when the little one screams "MOM"! On the playground, the How's and Whys to get there don't matter.

[Anonymous]

Both cancer and infertility are big enough issues but I can't imagine the combination! I saw this article last month, being 38 and failing IVF X 5, I wish I froze my eggs when I was 30:
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-08-26/national/41447176_1_cancer-patients-cancer-treatment-teresa-woodruff

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant unexpectedly and suprisingly with no "assistance" a year and a half after thryoid cancer. Be positive!