Fertility Treatments after Estrogen Positive Breast Cancer

Arobfnp21

I retrieved eggs prior to starting chemotherapy, but after the thaw and fertilization, my husband and I ended up with 1 healthy embryo. We are using a gestational carrier (my oncologist is concerned about being off Tamoxifen and the length of estrogen exposure in pregnancy), and are schedule for transfer next month. If it does not work, we are back to square one to try to have children. We are open to adoption but would consider another egg retrieval & transfer with our carrier. The fertility docs and my oncologist just do not have a lot of research and info on women in my situation who stop Tamoxifen and use estrogen temporarily for an IVF cycle. Wondering if anyone has any experience with this?

Murraymom

I am im the exact same position! I was diagnosed 3/15 with er/pr + and underwent chemo 6/15. Prior to chemo I got two normal embryos. Now that I have been on hormome therapy for over two years, we wanted to try for more embryos and/or to get pregnant naturally. My onc feels that being preg would take me off tamox too long so wants me to do ivf. But, my fertility took a huge hit from chemo. Pre-chemo numbers fsh: 6 amh: 5.27. Post-chemo numbers fsh: 10 amh: .5. Devastating!

So, fast forward, where I am now. We transferred one of our embryos to a gestational carrier Dec.5. It was not a good quality embryo but it was pgs tested. Praying all goes well . We are nine weeks today and anxious af to get to 12 weeks amd hopefully to have a healthy baby. We are so happy but terrified we are going to get our hearts broken. We haven't had the best of luck (aka getting breast cancer at 29!!!)

And, I decided to do ivf again. I had to be off hormone medicine for 3 months for my period to come back. I was terrified it wasn't going to come, after all, it has almost been two and half years since I've seen it! I had 27 eggs pre-chemo. Today, I have 4 follices . Praying that it works because I know it only takes one! It is a total mind game pumping hormones into my body after all I've done to avoid them. But, I am not getting younger so the time was right.

This is a gray area for oncs. It is a very personal decision. No wrong decisions bc data is murky. Just know you are not alone!!!! I've trolled these boards for three years waiting for someone to post a question like yours and I feel comforted that I am not alone confronting these same questions! Hopefully you feel the same!

Arobfnp21

Thanks so much for your reply! I have searched high and low for information on this topic and women who have chosen this path, but as you can see there has been little response. Congratulations on your pregnancy! I will pray that your baby continues to grow and for comfort for your heart during the waiting!

I completely understand about the heart broken situation. Our 1 embryo was transferred to our GC November 5 and it was unsuccessful. Learning I had cancer at 32 was difficult to hear, but losing that embryo was devastating. But we just had to pick ourselves up and explore our options, and thankfully we still have those. I know of so many who the door has been shut, and I am grateful we are not there yet. My RE has put me on a strict diet and supplement regimen for 3 months & we will try for more eggs in March or April. I will stop my tamoxifen for about 8 weeks. Throughout my chemo treatments and tamoxifen journey I only missed 1 cycle, but I have not gotten the lab report back on my FSH and AMH. Just holding onto the hope that it will all work out!

Thank you again for reaching out! Please keep in touch, and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!

Ashlyn

My situation is different but I wanted to chime in and say that I know of a few ladies who did the same thing and are doing well with a set of twins each. Some ladies have also actually taken treatment breaks and carried themselves. And then went back on tamoxifen after a few months of breast feeding. (If they hadn't had a BMX) I have witnessed a handful who didn't this under the 5 year mark and no recurrence.

Murraymom I loved reading that your transfer was a success and will be thinking good thoughts for a smooth pregnancy! Same goes for you Arobfnp! Wishing you all the best in pursuing your dreams.

Are either of you in Canada by chance

My husband and I are pursuing surrogacy now that I've just found out I'm stage 4 last July. I was 5.5 years out from my stage IIB diagnosis. It was an optional CT scan that found the cancer was back deep in my chest and lung. I only scanned because I wanted to make sure I was healthy to carry our baby. Devastated.

But we have 10 embryos still. And the idea that we wouldn't bring one of our babies into the world just makes me sick to my stomach. In the exploratory phase now for surrogacy. We don't have the $ but hoping to make to happen.

I have followed this thread for updates to hear how your surrogacy journeys go. Wishing you both all the best!

Noly

Hi,

I was diagnosed in 2010. I accidently fell pregnant just after my last radiation treatment but I lost the pregnancy at 9 weeks. I saw the Oncologists shortly after and when I expressed a desire to hold off on starting Tamoxifen to have a family the Oncologists looked at me like I was crazy, discharged me from their care and wished me luck. I did ask at the time if I could start tamoxifen after we had a baby and was told no. Not sure why they decided that was not an option but am interested to know that others have had a different experience.

I went on to get pregnant 5 times naturally (lost all these pregnancies) and underwent 3 IVF transfer. The first failed, the 2nd resulted in my twin girls, and the 3rd final attempt for a sun failed.

All this has been since my last radiation treatment about 6 years ago. I have only had breast MRI's as follow up with my GP. Everything has been clear so far, but I've had a persistent cough since November and discomfort in my chest and right side. My GP has said that based on my history that she will send me for CT scan to rule out recurrence. My cancer was early stages with no node involvement, so I have to believe that it's likely not cancer related. But I have set up an appointment with my local breast cancer support centre to talk this out with the doctors there as I am in panic mode.

Having fears of recurrence now with 3 year old twins is much different than when I was not a mom and I am grateful for your messages because when/if my scans come back clean then since perhaps starting tamoxifen now is a possibility.

Not sure where I am going with this.

Arobfnp21

HI Ashlyn! Thank you so much for sharing the information about those who have stopped their Tamoxifen. It has been so hard to find anyone who has information on this topic. I am so sorry to hear about your recurrence. I cannot even imagine how you must be feeling. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. My husband and I live in MS, so I would not have resources regarding surrogacy. I am so happy to hear that you have these embryos! I am a firm believer in holding onto any hope and I would say that is hopeful. Thinking of you and praying for healing and happiness!

Arobfnp21

Hi Noly! So glad to hear about your healthy twins. I, as well as others on this feed, know of the paralyzing fear of recurrence. I do not have children yet, but I am sure thinking about your kids amplifies that fear. I get scans every 6 months and am terrified prior to each one. Praying for that cough to be nothing and for your scan to be clear. My mom was diagnosed with early stage like you and was put on Tamoxifen. From what my oncologist said, you could start and stop along the way for brief periods so I would think you would be a candidate to take it now. Thinking of you!

So thankful for each of you and your responses. Helps me so much to have feedback and info from those who are on similar journeys!