IVF Before treatment

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Hchurch902
Hchurch902 Member Posts: 18
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer

Hi I am a newly diagnosed with breast cancer at age 25 I am married and we where looking forward to having children in the future...I am now told that after Chemo, radiation and five years of hormone therapy I may not be able to do this. I am now faced with the decision of spending tons of money to have embryos frozen or to take the risk of not being able to have children naturally or any at all. Does anyone have any advise???

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  • Susie123
    Susie123 Member Posts: 804
    edited November 2010

    Hi Holly,

    I can't speak to BC and inability to have children, but I can tell you my experience with infertility years before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My husband and I were married for 13 years before we had children, not by choice, it just didn't happen. In my 20's it was no big deal, we always had later on as an option. In my 30's, it started really bothering me. I wanted children, and as I got older that desire grew stronger. The year prior to our seeking the help of a fertility specialist, I helped give baby showers for 3 different friends. I always put on the smiling, happy face in public, but came home and cried my eyes out in private. Long story short, we do have children now, 2 teenage boys, with the help of the Good Lord and a good fertility specialist. We did spend money to go through the fertility tests and treatments, but that was the best money we've ever spent. I wish you the best in whatever decision you and your husband make.

    Susie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Hi there,

    I was 31 when I was dx and did IVF before treatment. I then founded FertileAction.org to help other women do the same. I can connect you to fertility docs who will discount your IVF to make sure you guys can become parents after treatment. And I have discounts on long-term storage. Call 877-276-5951. Through Livestrong Sharing Hope, we may be able to get free meds. - I'm a FAN of fertility preservation. You deserve to be a mom!! - alice :) 

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  • Hchurch902
    Hchurch902 Member Posts: 18
    edited November 2010

    Thank you very much for the info...I had heard of the fertile hope program before but it is still over 8 thousand dollars and that is alot of money. I just dont know what to do!!! thanks again!

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  • emilyj67
    emilyj67 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2011

    Have you checked with your health insurance to find out whether they provide coverage in your situation?

    Alas, I only know about coverage for regular infertility, not for cancer-onset fertility, but I am doing an IVF-->freezer cycle before my tx. I already had IVF to conceive my daughter, so setting up could be more complicated for you, but definitely worth pursuing.

    One more thing to consider is that I *think* younger women can get their menstrual cycle back after the artificially-induced menopause; even though you may have to do the 5 years of hormone therapy, you will still be plenty young enough to TTC. I'm still very new to this cancer tx thing, so please forgive me if my info is wrong. 

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