Harvest eggs? Help!

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Steph_Rose
Steph_Rose Member Posts: 37
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer
Harvest eggs? Help!
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  • Steph_Rose
    Steph_Rose Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2008

    I am 30 years old and married for almost 5 years....no children.

    DH and I were going to TTC until I was dx'ed on Feb 14th.  I just had bilateral mastect and will have to do chemo (no radiation).

    We desperately want children so I am considering having my eggs harvested (my appt is pending).

    I have mixed feelings about it.  I'm ER+...so I'm not thrilled about pumping tons of estrogen in my body in the process.  My doctors say I should go through the process if having children is important to us. (YES!)

    I am praying for clarity...still not sure what to do 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Oh, dear sister....we were trying to get pregnant when I was dx., I even thought my symptoms were pregnancy (sore boob-not boobs, fatigue, nausea). 

    Now, I am 2.5 years out of dx. and want more than anything to have another child (I have a 3 year old son). 

    I posted not too long ago about fertility treatments, and what that can do to "our people...." I am scared about whether or not it ups our risk.  

    I'll pray for you, dear sister, and I ask that you pray for me! 
    I know this is hard. 
    Love and prayers, Deb

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  • Steph_Rose
    Steph_Rose Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2008

    you'll definitely be in my prayers deb

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Hugs to you

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  • rels77a
    rels77a Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2008

    wow- reading your post took me back two years.  i was dx'ed right after v-day in 2006.  my and hubby were trying to get pregnant at the time.  so naturally, i had harvesting on the brain.  i did one cycle and i now have 18 frozen embryos.  i was nervous about the drugs, but all my docs (repro end, surgeon, onc, etc) said that 10 days of high estrogen wouldn't make a difference when you've probably had cancer for years.  besides, you're getting chemo anyway.

    now, my cycle came back, but i'm about to have an oopherectomy.  taking away some of the estrogen makes me feel better about taking a break from tamoxifen.    and since i have frozen embryos, i don't need my ovaries anymore.  all my docs have also given me the okay to stop tamox, have a baby or two, then go back on hormone therapy.

    just to make you feel better... this may, i will be having embryo implantation.  if it works the first cycle, i will have a baby right around my 3 yr mark.

    if you google "oncofertility consortium" there's a huge new program out of northwestern university that specializes in this.. kind of like the new cornell (was the big thing in fertility preservation a while back)

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  • susieloutoo
    susieloutoo Member Posts: 107
    edited March 2008

    I harvested my eggs last May...no embryos tho...I had the procedure done at IFC (Chicago).  I am triple neg but still worry about carrying a baby after cancer. Soon we will try.  If you have the opportunity to do it - do it!!! You make the decision - not your cancer.

     I am sending you baby wishes!!!

    Susie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Susie and rels,
    Thanks for the info-

    I'm right outside Chicago (in NW Indiana), so I am thrilled to read about options that are so close. 

    I don't just want to go to any old place for this-I am rather "high risk," so I want SPECIALISTS!!!!  

    Love and prayers, Deb

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  • Steph_Rose
    Steph_Rose Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2008

    rels77a,

    thanks for the info!  what was your timeline from first appt with fert. dr until when you had them harvested.

    i obviously cant start chemo until that is done.  my appt is next week. 

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  • susieloutoo
    susieloutoo Member Posts: 107
    edited March 2008

    Deb, Steph, Rels.....tough to be in the club but I am happy that we have eachother!

    steph - I was dx on 4/11/07 and my first chemo was 5/15...not much time...I just made it ( got lucky) They wanted to start chemo ASAP since my tumor was very agressive. My eggs were harvested on 5/6/07 (happened to be our 12th anniversary)

    Does that help? I saw this link too http://oncofertility.northwestern.edu/home that might help.

    BTW - I have one son 5....I am so blessed to have him but to give him a brother or sister sure would be amazing!

    Hugs and fertility wishes

    Susie

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  • rels77a
    rels77a Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2008

    it's all timed with your cycle.  so from day 1 of your cycle to harvest is about 14 days.  you'll be on some drug for like 12 of them. usually they do more tests, more drugs, etc.  me... my cycle happened to start right in between surgery and chemo, so i was fast tracked.

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  • Steph_Rose
    Steph_Rose Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2008

    dr's would like me to start chemo middle of april....but i wont ovulate again until around that time, so i guess this will just prolong my chemo starting.

    i see my onc again on tuesday to talk more about my treatment plan ( i have a ton of questions ) and will see the fert doc on wednesday.

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  • susieloutoo
    susieloutoo Member Posts: 107
    edited March 2008

    steph-rose

    My very best to you during this period of time! I think it was the most intense time I had during all my tx's and surgeries....trying to 'beat the clock' takes a lot of your energy. With your diagnosis and harvesting it is an monumental amount of infomation and responsibility. You can do this and I pray that when it is all over you and your  hubby will have the children you desire! Isnt it wonderful that we are given the opportunity and have a choice???? take a deep breath - you can do this!! Surrond yourself with those you love!

    Hugs

    Susieloutoo

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  • Steph_Rose
    Steph_Rose Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2008

    thanks susieloutoo

    it's funny, i don't think i've even begun to really deal with having cancer.

    becoming potentially infertile...harvesting eggs...putting off having a family...etc. are the things weighing most heavily on my mind right now

    oh, that and losing my hair before my brother's wedding May 31!

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited March 2008

    Steph, your so pretty......I feel your pain girl. I did in-vetro and wish, wish, wish, wish, wish.....I would have saved some eggs. My sister volunteered to carry a baby for me. I was just so confused.

    I wish you everything from one TX girl to another.

    Hugs girl,

    Traci

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Steph,

    Oh gheesh, the diagnosis shock is still so fresh with you. 

    And on top of that, we, as younger survivors have a whole slew of different issues than our elder survivors.  We either haven't begun our families yet, or were just beginning.  Either way, it's heartbreaking. 

    I am confident that there are people out there that will be able to help us!  I'm thrilled with the "leads" we got here.  It's a great start.  

    Traci-oh, hugs to you.  I can always tell by your posts that you are such a sensitive soul. 

    Love and prayers, Deb

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Traci-I just noticed what a similar dx. we really have!  Not that this is exciting or joyous news.....

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  • Steph_Rose
    Steph_Rose Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2008

    Thank You Traci!...TX girl? Kiss

    I know it is all very confusing and overwhelming isn't it?!  I'm not afraid to die...maybe because my mind just WON'T go there

    I'm just afraid of not being a mom...or having to wait another 6+ years to do so.  In my close group of girlfriends (5 or so)...all have kids or are pregnant now...3 are (2 w/ their 2nd).  I feel so distant to them suddenly and feel like their world is their kiddos and my world has gone from trying to conceive to cancer.Cry

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  • curlieqs
    curlieqs Member Posts: 1,179
    edited July 2008

    Can anyone give me an idea if insurance covers egg harvesting? I am struggling with the idea if it is something I want to do or not. I always wanted kids but have been having second thoughts the last few years, long before this dx. I am 35 and single (but looking!....................). Any input would be much appreciated! Thanks.

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  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited July 2008

    generally it does not-- but I've had two friends that had insurance cover it.

    There's a great website called www.fertilehope.org you might be able to find more answers there.

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