Getting ready to start chemo and no time for egg preservation!

Mrsayala24

hello,

I was just diagnosed with stage 2 IDC with ER+, PR +, HER+. My dr. wants me to get started with chemo right away and is concerned with my desire to preserve my eggs. He says my tumor is aggressive and does notrecommend I do egg preservation if it takes longer than 2 weeks. Egg preservation take so about 2-8 weeks. I'm not sure what to do. I'm 28 and it is my dream to be a mother. I want my own children one day. Has anyone had this issue?

Gudrun

Dear Mrsayala, I'm so sorry for you and your situation, which is so similar to my daughter's: also TP and same age at dx. This was exactly 3 years ago.

I see your worries and I won't give any advice. But here is what my daughter has done so far:

After dx she started chemo with antibodies right away without egg preservation nor ovary suppression. Thereafter, she started Tam+Zoladex adjuvantly.

Now, after 2.5 years of antihormone tx, she stopped to get pregnant. And guess what: in less than 3 months she has got her period back!

Best wishes for you, Gudrun

exercise_guru

Oh my heart goes out to you. I think a few questons might be helpful

How big is the tumor? What chemo are they recommending? Are you considering lumpectomy or mastectomy? What do they think about the nodes?

Can you get help with this eggs thing? Fight hard for it and push it through faster? Reach out for help . Call anyone you can. See if the nurse navigator can get involved. Sometimes there is help with funding whatever you need. This is something I might fight for and hope that angels step in and help make it happen.

Mrsayala24

Thank you guys for getting back to me! I think the issue is that my tumor is about 5 CM and grade 3. I can't remember what chemo they are recommending, but the oncologist did say he can't guarantee my ovaries will be functioning properly afterwards. They do not think any lymph nodes are involved which is great.

My family has already said they would help with the egg harvesting! I just don't know if I have time. I have an appointment with the fertility specialist on Wednesday and I'm going to fight hard!

Gudrun: thank you for sharing your daughter's story. It's amazing to hear she got pregnant so quickly! I hope I am that lucky. I will discuss the possibility for ovary suppression as well in case the egg preservation doesn't work.

ElaineTherese

I had a similar diagnosis, a tumor of 5 cm+, Grade 3, and triple positive. (One node also tested positive before chemo.) Starting chemo "right away" actually meant three weeks later. Before chemo, I had to get my port installed, my heart scanned (for a baseline), and a PET scan. What is the earliest you could get your eggs harvested? Could your oncologist wait just long enough for that to happen?

Yes, Grade 3 triple positive cancer is aggressive, but I don't see how three weeks made a difference in my case at all. ((Hugs))

Gudrun

sorry for the misunderstanding. My daughter isn't pregnant yet but her ovaries seem to have resumed work.

exercise_guru

ok so with the size of the tumor your are likely going to get TCHP. Which is Taxotere Carpoplatin Perjeta and Herceptin. Then they will operate. I had surgery and then TCH (no perjeta tumor was aggressive but small). It is doable but yes it knocks out the ovaries. Is the tumor deep or on the surface away from the chest wall.

I have a couple ideas but you likely have enough time if you have a really good fertility doctor. There is this feeling that we have to rush for word and the unknown is always overwhelming. I remember the pressure and and the push to get going on treatment.

I think I remember in the soft/Texta study the European part of the study started ovarian suppression prior to chemo rather than after and their younger women (under 35) had better outcomes so yes read up on that and explore it as an option.

Also 8 weeks would be pushing it but 4 is likely reasonable. Maybe post in the treatment threads or search this site via google to find others who have gone through this. Then pm them. I am sure they would be happy to share their experience.

smansmom

@mrsayala24 I did egg harvesting in 12 days, and had the surgery two days before my double mastectomy. I am also triple negative and 28 years old. I was diagnosed in June just 5 weeks after having my first baby. In 12 days they got 11 eggs and 3 embryos made it through the freezing process. I’m now on my 4th round of chemo. Stay strong and positive, please message me if you have questions or want to talk. Sending love and prays you’re way.