new here, husband going through cancer treatments

[jen5nik]

Hi Everyone!
I'm 24 never been pregnant. My husband (32) was diagnosed w/ testicular cancer May '05, Has gone through chemotherapy, tandem stem cell transplants, neither worked. Currently he is going through 5 weeks radiation then surgery to remove the lymphnode in the abdomen. Prior to chemo he banked sperm. Turns out very low sperm count ,and limited quantity. We are getting ready to do IVF W/ ICSI Sept/oct.

Is anyone else dealing with cancer issues with a spouse?

Also From waht I've gathered for the IVF process it takes 3 cycles.

First cycle I did the chlomid challenge test, hsg and sono mock transfer.
2nd cycle I start bc pills and I don't quite understand what happens after that? Could anyone please fill me in ?

Thanks,
Jen

[Ghost]

Oral contraceptives are used to get your cycle under precise control. Many are confused with the use of contraceptives in getting pregnant, but it makes sense.

People will get really confused if/when the "morning after pill" starts to be used during ovarian stimulation for IVF. But it has proven effective in that role.

[k]

Hi Jen

Im sorry to hear what you are both going through at the moment.

My DH had cancer (Hodgkins lymphoma) 9 years ago and he also had sperm frozen prior to his chemo. I remember, as well as having to cope with the cancer diagnosis, I was very upset when told we would be very unlikely to concieve naturally and would need IVF.

Our situation of course is different in that we didnt have to cope with both at the same time. We had time to get used to the idea of IVF.

My IVF cycle consisted of a drug called buseralin to get my cycle under control and then approx 3 weeks later I started on Gonal F (to stimulate my ovaries). Then approx 2 weeks later I had egg collection (EC) and 2 days after that, embryo transfer (ET). I then had my pregnancy test (blood test) 2 weeks later. You will notice from reading this site that all cycles can differ because of different drugs/protocols used and also different circumstances of each individual.

Take care and all the best with your treatment.

Love kim

[BecP]

Hi there
Sorry you are having a tough time of it. I just wanted to tell you a positive story. A colleague of mine had testicular cancer a few years ago. He already had two children, however, they'd always wanted a third.
Lo and behold his wife gets pregnant naturally and they have the third child they've always wanted. I obviously don't know the ins and outs of his specific problems, but it's such a lovely story I think of it when I'm feeling low.
Hope the next few months bring you all you wish for.
Bec

[JustinesBaby]

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[poochie]

Hello Jen

Welcome to this fantastic site.

Hope the following helps
My husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 25. He spent 3 years battling the disease which had spread to lymph nodes and lungs, he had 2 operations 2 different chemo treatments and 2 high dose chemo treatments, it was the operation to remove the lymph nodes within the abdomen area along with high dose chemo that was the break through for my husband.

My husband has now been clear for 6 years. He banked sperm just before operation to remove testicle, we had seven frozen vials. We began having ICSI in 2003 and were fortunate for it to work first time our daughter Andrianna is now 2 years old. We are currently on the 2WW hoping for a another child. Like the girls said there are many different protocols your doctor can use but you have youth on your side! This is a big factor during fertility treatment. ICSI is generally successful for low sperm count with limited supply stay strong and have faith.

Good luck with your treatment and best wishes to you and your husband. Please feel free to PM me anytime.

Vicki X

[jen5nik]

thanks you guys for all of the feedback, I go in a few weeks to a teaching visit , so I guess I will find out when everything happens then.

They did a baseline ultrasound and it showed 23 follicles w/out taking anything I don't know if that is good or not? By the way when they do the egg retrieval do they take from both ovaries or just one?

thanks,

Jen