Pregnant And Scared
Pregnant And Scared I was diagnoised with BC ER+ in July 2004 and had a right mastectomy. In September 2004 I found out that it had spread to my lymph nodes so had a full clearance. I decided not to have chemo or radio. In December 2005 I married Neil and in January 2006 we saw a fertility doctor to ask opinions about starting a family, because I was very high ER+ is advise to us was to wait at least five years from diagnosis. It was a very upsetting and because five years would have made me 42 I really thought life was unfair and I even went through a rough period and thought what the hell lets try but Neil was well against it. So we finally got our heads round the fact of no family and in December 2006 I finally come off tamoexfen, I could not take the hot flushes any more. Only weeks later my periods were back with revenge, very heavy and eractic. To cut along story short I have been under the hospital had loads of test and five weeks ago had a biopsy which was sent off for testing. Over the last few weeks I have felt really ill, on and off bleeding and been treat with three different antibiotics for infections only to spend the day in hospital and after several examinations and blood test I was told I am pregnant. Its been a very long weekend and although this should be a time of celebration I have to wait for a scan on Tuesday and then see the oncologist and take it from there. We would both really love to have this baby but I have not slept for the last two nights worrying about the cancer and my health in general. Has anyone else out there been in a similar situation?
Don’t panic Firstly may I offer you congratulations,
you are pregnant , well done you!
I do not know of anyone who has been in the same position as you, however sammyh was dx during pregnancy, so I recommend that you have a chat with her.
The chances are that your oncologist will not be over the moon about your condition but it is what you wanted, please don’t loose sight of that.
Treatment wise, surgery still makes the single most significant difference to your bc’s chances recurrence. Had I known this at the beginning of my journey, I would have chosen the same options as you. I wasn’t given the proper facts and the chemo fried my ovaries for what amounts to, in my case, a very small percentage. I am still furious about it.
There was a time when anyone with er+ bc was told that they could never ever risk pregnancy but times have changed. My surgeon said that the medical profession still don’t really understand how hormones work during pregnancy, or how they interact with one another.
Us youngsters all live in fear to some degree or another but you have to live your life. This is something you wanted, and sometimes its best to throw caution to the wind and just go for it!
I just wanted to send you a BIG hug, I don’t have any words of wisdom or any great advice but I am good at hugs so I am sending you a bucket full of them. xxx }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Ok, so the hug didn’t send very well but it was there I PROMISE.xxx
Another hug (()) Hi Nikclara
I’m sorry, I also don’t have any advice to offer as I’ve not been in the same situation but just wanted to send you a big hug & lots of love - maybe this is just meant to be. Hopefully your consultant will be able to help you more but if not, maybe BCC could put you in touch with a peer support person who has had a similar experience? The girl I talked to for peer support late last year had become pregnant whilst on Tamoxifen and now has a healthy little girl and she herself was about 7 years post treatment with no evidence of disease so it can work out ok!
Let us know how the scan & talk with your consultant went,
Sarah xxx
Hi NikClara, like the others i don’t have the same experience, or words of wisdom, but please try to sleep and not to worry and my heart is with you both.
lots of love and hugs
Alison
I can’t thankyou enough for your replies.
We had the scan on Tuesday and so far everything looks ok. I am six weeks pregnant and have to have another scan in two weeks.
Tomorrow is a big day for us we have an appointment with my oncologist so have lots of questions we need answering.
Still not sleeping very well but we are both remaining positivie.
Will keep you updated.
Nik x
I am keeping everything crossed for you. Please let us know asap if everything ok. I can imagine how nervous you must both feel. Love Eileen
Im 6 weeks pregnant too! Hiya,
Havent been on this site of late, having finished my treatment I havent felt the same need to visit as often, but your post prompted me to sign on and reply.
I was diagnosed with BC June 06, aged 26. I had left mastectomy, 4 x Epi and 4 x CMF chemo, followed by 3 weeks of rads. I am triple neg. When I was diagnosed I was advised to consider fertility treatment but as we already had one son, this wasnt available on the NHS. We saw a Fertility Consultant privately and decided against paying the £3000 for the treatment and instead felt that “what would be, would be”. Before starting radiotherapy, my husband and I met with my oncologist and discussed having children with him as I had remained fertile throughout my treatment. He advised me that we should wait 2 years as the chance of recurrence was highest for the first 2 years and a pregnancy could disguise a further recurrence. He also advised that if we did manage to conceive there was a high risk of miscarriage and still birth.
I finished my chemo in March and my radiotherapy in April and fell pregnant in May - what a shock, and what a long way we have come! I went straight to my doctor and asked to be referred for consultant care with the pregnancy. I have since seen the Obstetrician who had not heard of still birth or neonatal death associated with chemo treatment but had heard of miscarriage. However, like she said, if its a good egg it will implant and do well, if its not - its mother natures way of disposing of it and we shouldnt be upset, at least we know we can conceive, which a year ago felt impossible. I too have had a scan confirming that I am 6 weeks, due 11th of Feb, everything is as it should be and I am being seen again in two weeks by the midwife and in 4 week by the consultant for another scan. The Obstetrician was very positive and excited about my pregnancy and has dealt with women who have gone on to have children after chemo and also during. She was very reassuring.
I too have worried what effects this may have on my health as well as the baby’s, after all the drugs are still in my system and I am still wore out by the whole years treatment. However, I have decided that this is the best thing that could have happened and again if its meant to be then its meant to be. Not only do i have something else to focus on other than “cancer” but i also feel that this is a big two fingers up to the disease - I feel like I am winning!
Sorry that I have rambled on but I hope that my experience has helped and that you can now feel that you are not alone.
Good luck.
Ju x
For Ju Hi Ju
I remember seeing your postings as we were same age & dx around the same time although different treatments.
I just wanted to say congratulations to you on your fantastic news!
Sarah x