children after treatment

kenzie_jw2001
kenzie_jw2001 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I'm a 21 yr old survivor of hodgkins lymphoma and i've been through about 6 months of chemo and 1 month of radiation. now a year inremisson and soon to be married i'm worried about not being able to have children. can any of u help me with this?

Comments

  • jessicawinters
    jessicawinters Member Posts: 7
    #2
    Kenzie -
    I am also a Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor. I was diagnosed at 20 and went through 8 ABVD chemo treatments and 22 radiation treatments (ending just after my 21st birthday). I am 22 now and have been in remission for almost a year and half. I am getting married next month and worry more about not being able to have kids than I do about the cancer coming back. I've talked to my oncologyst and my obgyn and all I can do is wait and hope. I try not to worry about it because I know if I can't have kids of my own, there are plenty out there who need a loving family... but it is still something I think about daily. I have 3 and a half years of scans left, so I won't be able to find out until then ... they just say I won't know until I try.

    I'll keep you in my thoughts - congrats on your wedding and good luck with your family! Just know that if you and your fiance can't have kids biologically, you will be able to grant some amazing kids an amazing life through adoption.

    Always,
    Jessica
  • sfleming
    sfleming Member Posts: 8
    #3
    Kenzie,
    Great news on your remission, congratulations! And you are engaged now . . . that's wonderful!

    First off, I had NHL stage IV (6 rounds CHOP w/ Rituxan) and am approaching my 5-yr remission. I was actually engaged when diagnosed. Since we needed to start treatment immediately and oncologists didn't have much info re: fertility issues in cancer patients, I hoped for the best.

    My husband and I now have a 22 month old baby boy and are pregnant with our second child. While EVERY case is different, I remained hopeful we would be able to have children.

    There is a great resource: www.fertilehope.org. They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cancer patients and survivors with fertility issues.

    I would suggest you use their "Find a Doctor" section and schedule a consultation with a physician that specializes in fertility issues of cancer patients/survivors. I didn't get my period for quite some time (a year maybe?) after I finished treatment and saw a wonderful doctor who was able to perform some basic tests of hormone levels, etc. and then monitor my progress. They seem to have most/all states represented. Where are you from?

    You don't need to see an MD who specializes in cancer patients/survivors but I would strongly suggest it. They are familiar with the disease, treatments, statistics, research, etc. and would likely be most capable and sensitive to your needs. Plus you may find some people in the waiting room that are going through the same thing and you connect with and are nice to talk to, :)

    Wish you the best and so happy to hear your good news on health and marriage!!! :)

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