Hi,
I do not know if anyone out there has had pelvic radiation, but if so, I can use some advice. Long story short, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, then had radiation. Prior to radiation, Dr. moved my ovaries so they would not get hit, and ovarian function could possibly be preserved. He told me that if I began menstruating after radiation, it is a good sign that I may still become pregnant. I am now 3 months post radiation and just had a blood test (FSH?) to check ovarian function. Nurse called and told me that right NOW, there is none :confused:, BUT may resume months later. She told me these tests are NOT 100% accurate and it is very soon after treatment to tell for sure. I am depressed and think that this is the end of me having a baby. Is there anyone out there who has been through this and is experiencing infertility due to cancer treatments or been through something similar? I could use some words of hope and encouragement.
Thank you

Sharona,

I am so sorry for all that you have been through. You have been dealing with a lot, and I can't even begin to imagine. My DH had pelvic radiation as cancer treatment a few years back, but I realize that that doesn't really help you. We were told that we shouldn't ttc for 12 months, but that after that, his function should return somewhat. I realize that the testicles are totally a different situation than the cervix/ovaries. I hope that someone here can be more help to you, and firstmost, I am happy to hear that your health seems to be well. I really hope that you get the answers that you need, and that your body returns to ovulating so that you may begin ttc again.

Love,
Kelley

Kelley,
Thank you for the reply. It IS encouraging to know that your DH was told that it would take 12 months for function to resume- somewhat. Maybe the same holds true for anyone who has had radiation, no matter what was affected. I will keep fingers crossed. Thanks

Sharona, I am so sorry that I can't help you with yur answer. But I just wanted to say most heartfelt congratualtions that you beat cervical cancer. :) I just lost a friend to cancer (of the brain) a few days ago, and I think that cancer is such an evil ailment. I'm so happy you got successfully treated :)
As for the ovulation, all I can offer is hope that you do begin soon. Just reemmber that your body went thorugh a LOT, and giving it some time, may be the best thing. But I'm not saying "do nothing." Take your vitamins, look into herbal treatments, maybe acupuncture or reflexology or reiki, and exercise. use this healing time as a time to get your body soul and mind into top shape for not only pregnancy, but motherhood as well. :angel: Good luck!

Hi Sharon I am so sorry you have had to deal with cancer I cant imagine how hard that must have been.The good news is that you beat it so that right there shows how strong you are.Honestly I cant help you we are dealing with male IF DH is sterile and we are using donor sperm.I have heard stories of women having babies after radiation so it is possible and dont forget even in a healthy couple pregnancy is a miracle so keep believing and try and rest up.I will keep you in my prayers and I hope you get your BFP.Take care.

Mapia

Has your doctor told you anything more specific about how long it usually takes after radiation for things to normalize? I realize everyone is different, but I wonder if there's a general time period that they are aware of. Again, I am so sorry that you have had to deal with such a hard thing, and I hope that all is well with your health firstly.

I hope I also did not sound too negative when I said that Dh was expected to return to normal "somewhat" - He also did have one testicle removed, and lower motility to begin with - so he had other issues as well. I did not at all mean to imply that you would be in a similar situation. Just wanted to clarify.

I'm wishing you all the best, and I truly hope that you have your little one in your arms very soon.

Kelley

Kelley,
You did not say anything offensive. I was pleased to know that the Dr.s told him 1 year for things to possibly return to normal. I am only 3 months out of treatments so there is HOPE! My Dr. told me that it could take 6 months to 1 year or longer for menses to resume. If that didn't happen, that still would not mean the end of my fertility. Basically, when the time is right, I will have to have a series of tests done to determine-1. If my ovaries are still working, 2. If my uterus is in good condition, enough to carry a baby to term, or close to it being that it has been radiated, and 3. If I will need IVF or IUI. Everything is up in the air. I was always under the assumption that I would need a surrogate and that I would not be able to carry. My sister agreed to be my surrogate, but now the Dr. tells me that if my period comes back, I can get pregnant myself. He said it could take a while and the blood test for ovarian function is not 100% accurate. I feel quite hopeless though, even if all goes well, the cost of all this will be way more than DH and I can afford right now or possibly ever and I am already 34. I am just taking it one day at a time and hoping that my fertility will be in check, then worry about finances later.I want to kick myself everyday for not trying for a baby as soon as we got married. Oh well, that's life, right? I hope everything works out for you as well, and again, no offense taken at all.:)

Sharona- I was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma when I was 18 months old, a tumor in my bladder. Treatment was chemotherapy and a surgery which removed my bladder. Luckily I did not have radiation therapy. So I can not answer your question about that. I did ask as I was growing up if I would ever have any problems having children, and I was always told 'no'. Now it turns out that there is scar tissue blocking my tubes from the surgery that is unable to be removed so we have to resort to IVF. I also have to cathterize myself (because I don't have a true bladder) which gives me frequent urinary tract and kidney infections so during the last months of a pregnancy I may be required to wear a catheter and bag full time (also because in the later months of pregnancy it may be quite difficult to empty my 'pouch'). The main thing here though, is I can still carry a baby which makes me very happy and gives me some comfort. If we can live through cancer, we can live through anything, right? I try to tell myself that when I get too sad and it does help. I hope that everything goes well and your ovaries function normally agian soon, but if not, don't give up. I hoped that something, anything I said might help you in some way.

Celeste

Sharona,

Don't feel bad at all for not trying for a baby right when you got married. You know, I have thought that several times too (I am 33, DH is 36... we were 27 and 30 when we got married), but then I realize we really were not in the mindset then to have children at the time. There are so many uncertainties in this world that we could "what if" about so many things.
How amazing that your sister has offered to be a surrogate for you if necessary. That is so wonderful, it gave me goosebumps to read that.
As for the expense, a lot of us can relate to that. DH and I are headed to IVF after this month if things do not work out, and there is absolutely no way that we can even consider such an expense right now. It is very frustrating, but someone actually started a post today about how people manage to pay for IVF - so I will be interested to hear what others have to say as far as that is concerned.

You are right, though, we should all take it one day at a time. I hope that your body is working very hard to become back to normal and that everything will be in working order very soon.

Kelley

Awww!, I wish I could give all the ladies here a big HUG. You have made me feel so much better about all this. I don't feel so alone in all this anymore. I have always posted on the cerv/ovarian cancer board and didn't even know there was one on infertility, but I'm glad I found it. It feels good to not be on the cancer board anymore.

Yes, my sister is an angel and truly my best friend. She recently moved to FL and I miss her so much. When I had my ovaries moved, first thing she said to me was she would be my surrogate. It made me cry. She is married and has two small children herself so I don't think I would ever want to put that burden on her. If I could not get pregnant on my own, adoption would be my next choice. Maybe it is destiny. Maybe there is a baby who will be born to a mother who cannot care for it that need me to his/her mommy. Maybe that is God's plan.

I am so thankful that my cancer was caught early and I have another chance at life. I firmly believe that everything will fall into place exactly the way it was meant to happen so....only time will tell. I'm going to read the thread about IVF and costs and see how others are handling it.

Thanks again to all for listening.

WOW! twins at 46?! AND after chemo and rad TWICE?! That is great news! Maybe I have more time than I think. Did she get pregnant naturally? I guess it doesn't really matter, the fact that she had them at all, at 46, is amazing! I hope that she is doing well and congrats to her! Good things CAN happen. I'm holding on to that.

That is such an amazing story, SuzyQ!!!! Wow, that is wonderful!!! And I am so happy that your cousin's health sounds like it is well!

Sharona, you are right - we don't know what God's plan is, DH and I have also started looking into adoption -- he want's to get the ball rolling as it also takes a bit of time... BUT - you know what, his plan may also be for you to become pregnant, and after all you have been through, you are even more of a stronger person and that will make you an even better mother.

Hang in there!!!

Kelley

I just wanted to tell you that you aren't alone. I was 22 when I had to have a complete hysterectomy due to ovarian cancer. That was 3 years ago this month and now My husband and I are currently going through the adoption process. I also had pelvic radiation although I didn't have any female organs left in me to get damaged.

Good luck to you!