Community› The Bump Local Boards› Washington Babies
Washington Babies
New Discussion

Good thoughts needed and long vent

KRoseToesKRoseToes member
in Washington Babies

I just need to vent a little. I hope you ladies don't mind the length. I know it's late so I don't expect anyone to respond. But thanks for "listening".

My husband was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last week. He had one surgery already and will have another one on Thursday. And then in a few weeks he will have one-time radiation therapy. The good thing is that the prognosis for his type of cancer is VERY good. But this is all so frustrating and disappointing. It's disrupting our lives right when we were finally starting to feel like we were getting our lives together.

And then, of course, there's the TTC thing. We've been trying since late December with no luck yet. I don't know if we'll be able to get pregnant before the radiation, because he will be hurt and weak from this next surgery. And we won't be able to TTC for several months after the radiation, because his sperm could be affected. And in rare cases, radiation can lead to him becoming completely sterile. So now we have to decide if we're going to bank sperm, if we're going to continue to TTC, or if we're going to wait several more months to continue trying. There are pros and cons to all of the choices, I just wish this wasn't happening so that we didn't have to deal with it at all. Because now, in addition to the pain he's going through with the treatment, and the pain of missing work and going through all sick leave and vacation leave at once, we have to decide if we are going to put our family on hold.


Photobucket  image
Married: December 2005 ~ Started TTC: December 2008 ~ DH: 33, Me: 30
Diagnosis: severe MFI, late ovulation, short LP, DOR
Only option is IVF/ICIS. Waited several years before treatment because we're OOP.
IVF/ICIS #1 in June 2012 (Protocol: Long Lupron). Stims: 6/17/12, ER: 6/30/12 (6R, 5M, 4F), ET: 7/5/12 (1 4AA embryo transferred, 0 made it to freeze) ~ Beta#1: 7/14/12 - 55, Beta#2: 7/16/12 - 100, Beta#3: 7/18/12 - 199 ~ Limbo for weeks, finally confirmed pregnancy not viable: 8/13/12 ~ D&C: 8/17/12 
Varicocele Surgery: October 2012 (long break to wait for results, no change) 
Changed clinics: February 2013 
IVF/ICIS Attempt #2 in April 2013 (Protocol: Antagonist). Stims: 4/12/13, Cycle Cancelled: 4/17/13 for poor follicle response and low E2 rise. 
IVF/ICIS Attempt #3 in May 2013 (Protocol: LEAP) Cycle Cancelled: 5/20/13 at suppression check due to cyst
IVF/ICIS Attempt #4 in July 2013 (Protocol: LEAP). Stims: 7/20/13, ER: 8/1/13 (12R, 11M, 9F), ET: 8/6/13 (3 fair embryos transferred, 0 made it to freeze) ~ Beta#1: 8/15/13 - 86, Beta#2: 8/18/13 - 390.6, Ultrasound: 9/3/13 - TWO HEARTBEATS! 

image

Report Reply to Post

Re: Good thoughts needed and long vent

  • KNemoKNemo member
    I am so sorry! You have every right to vent. That is a lot to deal with, all at once. If it were me, I would bank the sperm just in case. You may  get pregnant before the radiation. You may not, but either way, at least you have a safe guard. I hope that everything works out in your favor. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
    image
    The only Easter Bunny I can get behind.

    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Maxwell Joseph 4/09 Lucy Violet 10/12

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • MissBlushMissBlush

    I'm sorry. ?That's really rough. ?I'll be praying for you both.

    My sister's boyfriend had cancer, and she now has a beautiful 7 month old daughter even thought the doctor told him that he might not be able to have children. ?I bet it will happen for you, but I'm sorry that TTC isn't going according to plan.?

    Report Reply
  • iHeartHimMoreiHeartHimMore

    First of all - I'm so, so sorry he's sick, but I'm really glad that the prognosis is so good. ?I hope he makes it through all this quickly and with as little pain and disruption as possible.

    I'm not sure if my "advice" (if you can call it that) is what you'll want to hear, and I'm sure you've thought of this already, but here it is anyway.......... Maybe it's best to deal with all of this and let him get healthy before you start your family. ?I know how hard it is to wait to TTC when you *know* you are ready, but having your DH feel his best will make the experience (not to mention a pregnancy, and ultimately raising a baby) that much better.

    In the meantime - banking may not be the worst idea. ?Just in case.?

    I'll definitely be keeping you guys in my thoughts. ?I don't envy your situation one bit. ?:(?

    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers


    image

    image

    Bio & Blog | The Chic Bambino | Bumps & Babies Fair
    Report Reply
  • JRS72206JRS72206

    I'm sorry your DH is so sick! :( I'm sending lots of hugs your way. 

    image
    Report Reply
  • massagegirlymassagegirly
    Oh I am so sorry you are going through this right now! I hope your husband recovers quickly and with very little pain. My suggestion to you is to bank some sperm. I have a client who has cancer and has been doing radiation and is now sterile. He wishes that he would have know this years ago.
    Report Reply
  • CDMay2006CDMay2006 member
    imageiHeartHimMore:

    First of all - I'm so, so sorry he's sick, but I'm really glad that the prognosis is so good.  I hope he makes it through all this quickly and with as little pain and disruption as possible.

    I'm not sure if my "advice" (if you can call it that) is what you'll want to hear, and I'm sure you've thought of this already, but here it is anyway.......... Maybe it's best to deal with all of this and let him get healthy before you start your family.  I know how hard it is to wait to TTC when you *know* you are ready, but having your DH feel his best will make the experience (not to mention a pregnancy, and ultimately raising a baby) that much better.

    In the meantime - banking may not be the worst idea.  Just in case. 

    I'll definitely be keeping you guys in my thoughts.  I don't envy your situation one bit.  :( 

    I agree.

    Also, though i am not in your situation, and cannot imagine how you feel, i do share the perspective of watching my husband suffer (pain, other physical symptoms and the emotional effects of it all) because treatments for his illness are not working, and experiencing the feeling of having to structure our life plans around his illness and treatments.  We're thinking about you.

    Boy 10.6.13
    Labored at freestanding birth center using hypnobirthing techniques
    Delivered via csection
    Report Reply
  • Alli923Alli923
    I'm so sorry you and your DH are going through this! I have no words of advice, but just wanted to say I'll be praying for you both and for a quick recovery for him.  I can relate to feeling like you've just gotten things together and are ready to take the next step, I'm in the same boat and can imagine how frustrating and disappointing it must be to have to put everything on hold.  :(
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • IdahoGirlIdahoGirl

    Michelle (IHHM) said exactly what I was thinking...

    I am so, so sorry that your are both going through this.  No one should have to deal with the big C.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Life is so tough when it doesn't go according to plan :(

    Report Reply
  • Seattle_JiLLnSeattle_JiLLn

    I'm so sorry you're going through this! 

     

    If it were me, I would most definitely bank sperm between now and the radiation.   Hopefully you won't need it, but in the event you do, I think you'd really regret not doing it... I dont' know how much it costs, but I don't think it's terrible... my friend did it when her DH had cancer as well... they didnt' end up needing it as she got pregnant RIGHT before his surgery...

     

    Good luck to you, and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

     

    One thing to ask - will losing his thyroid impact his sperm production in the future?

    image
    Report Reply
  • appleciderapplecider member

    Left Hug

    Hugs.  I'm sending lots of get well soon vibes.

    Report Reply
  • KRoseToesKRoseToes member
    Thanks for all your kind thoughts and good advice. =)

    Photobucket  image
    Married: December 2005 ~ Started TTC: December 2008 ~ DH: 33, Me: 30
    Diagnosis: severe MFI, late ovulation, short LP, DOR
    Only option is IVF/ICIS. Waited several years before treatment because we're OOP.
    IVF/ICIS #1 in June 2012 (Protocol: Long Lupron). Stims: 6/17/12, ER: 6/30/12 (6R, 5M, 4F), ET: 7/5/12 (1 4AA embryo transferred, 0 made it to freeze) ~ Beta#1: 7/14/12 - 55, Beta#2: 7/16/12 - 100, Beta#3: 7/18/12 - 199 ~ Limbo for weeks, finally confirmed pregnancy not viable: 8/13/12 ~ D&C: 8/17/12 
    Varicocele Surgery: October 2012 (long break to wait for results, no change) 
    Changed clinics: February 2013 
    IVF/ICIS Attempt #2 in April 2013 (Protocol: Antagonist). Stims: 4/12/13, Cycle Cancelled: 4/17/13 for poor follicle response and low E2 rise. 
    IVF/ICIS Attempt #3 in May 2013 (Protocol: LEAP) Cycle Cancelled: 5/20/13 at suppression check due to cyst
    IVF/ICIS Attempt #4 in July 2013 (Protocol: LEAP). Stims: 7/20/13, ER: 8/1/13 (12R, 11M, 9F), ET: 8/6/13 (3 fair embryos transferred, 0 made it to freeze) ~ Beta#1: 8/15/13 - 86, Beta#2: 8/18/13 - 390.6, Ultrasound: 9/3/13 - TWO HEARTBEATS! 

    image

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"