I'm not going to lie, I'm a little worried

bwlingatstarlite
bwlingatstarlite Member Posts: 11
edited March 2014 in Young Cancer Survivors #1
I am 19 and definitely have some time to worry about this but I'm not going to lie I'm so worried I won't be able to have kids of my own. My doctor said that would probably be a long term effect and I'm fully prepared to adopt but still it worries me. Anyone else?

Comments

  • Susy28
    Susy28 Member Posts: 18
    #2
    Same here
    I am 24 and although my doctor said I shouldn't have a problem, it still worries me. I'm afraid I'm going to relapse. I have 2 fears, one is that if I don't have children soon after I’m done with treatment and I relapse, the next treatment causes infertility and I will never be able to have children of my own. Second is that if I have children too soon after chemo, what about birth defects or what if I relapse and I don't have anyone to help me care for my child. I keep thinking of all these what if's. I totally understand you and I am also prepared to adopt because even though my doctor says I should be fine, there's still a possibility of infertility. I keep telling myself, if it's meant to be it's meant to be if not there's always adoption. Hang in there and good luck.
  • mtbikernate
    mtbikernate Member Posts: 31
    #3
    Susy28 said:

    Same here
    I am 24 and although my doctor said I shouldn't have a problem, it still worries me. I'm afraid I'm going to relapse. I have 2 fears, one is that if I don't have children soon after I’m done with treatment and I relapse, the next treatment causes infertility and I will never be able to have children of my own. Second is that if I have children too soon after chemo, what about birth defects or what if I relapse and I don't have anyone to help me care for my child. I keep thinking of all these what if's. I totally understand you and I am also prepared to adopt because even though my doctor says I should be fine, there's still a possibility of infertility. I keep telling myself, if it's meant to be it's meant to be if not there's always adoption. Hang in there and good luck.

    I just try to roll with the
    I just try to roll with the punches, so to speak. I am still getting treated, so it's too early to say much about my fertility, though my doctor says it's more or less 50/50 for me. Whatever happens happens, and I'll just adapt to the circumstances. No sense in me getting all worked up over something I can't exactly change. And I took the stance long ago that I wouldn't undergo fertility treatments if I ever had problems. My recent bout with cancer has not changed that decision.
  • KaiTenSatsuma
    KaiTenSatsuma Member Posts: 5
    #4
    mtbikernate said:

    I just try to roll with the
    I just try to roll with the punches, so to speak. I am still getting treated, so it's too early to say much about my fertility, though my doctor says it's more or less 50/50 for me. Whatever happens happens, and I'll just adapt to the circumstances. No sense in me getting all worked up over something I can't exactly change. And I took the stance long ago that I wouldn't undergo fertility treatments if I ever had problems. My recent bout with cancer has not changed that decision.

    I can understand
    Honestly while I was being treated in-patient that, and not finding someone who wouldn't take my leukemia into account in a relationship were two of my biggest concerns emotionally. After some serious thought I reached the conclusion that I'll knock on that door when I get to it.

    It isn't something to worry about unless you really put that much weight into passing on your genetic material instead of passing along something more important: A powerful example of not yielding to circumstance.
  • SmilingSince_89
    SmilingSince_89 Member Posts: 2
    #5
    mtbikernate said:

    I just try to roll with the
    I just try to roll with the punches, so to speak. I am still getting treated, so it's too early to say much about my fertility, though my doctor says it's more or less 50/50 for me. Whatever happens happens, and I'll just adapt to the circumstances. No sense in me getting all worked up over something I can't exactly change. And I took the stance long ago that I wouldn't undergo fertility treatments if I ever had problems. My recent bout with cancer has not changed that decision.

    I agree/like your thinking
    I agree/like your thinking "roll with the punches." Throughout my treatment that was my attitude completely. Everyone would always say how "strong" I was, but for me it was just a bump in the road, accept it and move on! Just have to think positively :)!
  • chrissie1
    chrissie1 Member Posts: 6
    #6
    Kids
    I'm 22 years old, and the chemo/radiation that I had when I was 14 made it so that I can't have kids. Technically, I can bear children because my uterus is fine, but I can't get pregnant on my own. I would need invitro fertilization.

    It does make me upset that I can't get pregnant, but at the same time I am lucky to be alive and that is more important than anything else. Adopting is definitely an option, and also speaking with a gynecologist or endocrinologist may ease some of your concerns. I see an endocrinologist each year, he monitors my hormone levels.

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