I’m new to this forum so please bear with me. I’m 36 and after 4 ops for breast cancer resulting in a full mastectomy I’m due to start my FEC T treatment next Wednesday.
I have read thru the FEC T threads and some of my fears have been addressed as in, I will now purchase mouth wash, ice pops and will prepare myself for sickness (I hate being sick!).
However, last March I got into a new relationship and it was in October that I received my diagnosis. I have had an operation a month since then so our ‘honeymoon period’ has been pretty full on with my illness. We have spoken about having a child together once I am well but one of the side effects of FEC T was infertility and possibly menopause.
Has anybody experienced either of these symptoms as I’m finding that I can prepare myself for anything but these side effects would devastate me and my partner. Obviously I need to go on with my treatment and I have been offered a referral to the fertility clinic to have my eggs harvested but this would put off my treatment for a further 2-4 weeks and there is always the chance that it might come to nothing. I’m ready for treatment now so will pass up on the referral but I just wondered if anyone had any experience of these. ?
Im 37 was 36 when diagnosed in October last year I unfortunatley had to make the decision not to have my eggs harvested as was given the option on Friday as chemo was due to start on Monday and I didnt want to delay my treatment as my tumour was agressive and I was having neoadjuvant chemo.
I have been with my partner for 9 years so we could talk through this and came to the decision together, you obviously have a keeper even though you havent been together long so thats a good thing and he will be good to talk to about it but in the end its your body and your decision. If I had the chance again and I had a bit more notice I probably would have had a go just to have the hope even with the chances it wouldnt work.
Ask your onc/bcn how the 2 week delay to chemo will affect your treatment that will at least help you make a more informed decision x
Yes, see I was only told this yesterday but my pre-assessment is on Monday. I didn’t want to prolong treatment even further. I expected chemo after my first op in October but every time I went for results I found out I needed a further op. My partner has 2 boys aged 11 and 7 and my son is 7 but we still wanted a child together. Think it’s a case of when someone says you can’t have something it makes you want it more. ?
I think it is worth to delay your chemo and have harvest your eggs or even embrios if your confident with your partner or you can donate sperm as well. I am 28 years so I did it in my case it was delayed a lot but just because my doctors was soo slow. I god diagnosed in august and my first chemo was in november. But the process only 2 weeks so I think that should not be a problem. In my case the doctors was confused who can refer me to the specialist and this took a lot of time they referd me end of october. I think it is always good to have a back up plan. This is your life and it is a hard time for you now.
If you don’t want to delay the treatment or egg harvesting isn’t for you (hey it isn’t gor everyone I have read up on how it is all done), then ask for 4 weekly zoladex injections. I am having them. It effectively turns off estrogen and in turn the ovaries. The idea is if they aren’t dividing active cells then the chemo shouldn’t touch them as it targets rapidly dividing active cells. Hence why hair, nails, skin etc all affected. I am yet to see if it has worked. I have one more cycle of T chemo to go. Had 3 fec and 2 t already. I am hopeful it will as my bc nurse was pretty sure it would. Got 2 more zoladex injections left then I can see how long it takes my periods to return.
My partner and I have been together almost 3 years. We also would like a baby.
Getting married next year.
Hope this helps hunny xx
Well I’ve had 1 FEC and I still have periods so when I have my consultant appointment this week I may ask about those injections although I am wondering why my consultant never suggested then to me initially. Thank you for that though.xx
I don’t know about that. I do know both my gp surgery and the one my sister works at said it is rare they give them to women. Apparently they are used to treat something some men get. They work for this too though. Seen someone else on a thread on here that was on it too.
Xx
but in the end its your body and your decision. If I had the chance again and I had a bit more notice I probably would have had a go just to have the hope even with the chances it wouldnt work.