TTC after testicular cancer

[Jods1982]

Hi everyone,

We are TTC for baby number 2 and have been trying for 4 months. My DD is about to turn 2 and was conceived naturally after a very short period (about 6 weeks).

Unfortunately when she was 6 weeks old my DH was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had 3 rounds of chemotherapy (he had some frozen before he started chemo). He recovered well and have now been TTC for 4 months.

Both of us are stressing over whether we will need IVF or not (there wasn't enough sperm to have IUI). It will either be IVF or ?AUI (can't remember name- more successful than IVF but twice the cost). I don't think it helps that our daughter was conceived quickly. Three people in my NCT group are pregnant with their second and can't help but feel envious.

My cycle has also inexplicably increased from 28 days to 35. I came off cerazette in April. May and June were 28 days but July and Aug have been 35. So don't know if I need to be worried about this. I am 32 and have regular periods (though tended to stop whilst on the pill).

DH has just had his sperm tested last week and we are waiting for the results.

I just want any advice from anyone who has gone through this. I know we are incredibly lucky to have had our DD when we did and incredibly thankful for that but I can't bear the thought of her being on her own :(

Hi Jods, I'm going through something similar-ish but don't have much advice unfortunately, I just didn't want to read and run!

My husband had testicular cancer 10 years ago (they removed one of his testicles and wouldn't freeze any of his sperm) and we have been trying for baby #1 (6 months and counting).

Have you spoken to the doctors about this at all? I know how easy it is to stress about these things, but maybe the doctors can ease your minds about this at all?

I went to the nurse about my periods as they are so light (last about 3 days max) and my cycle varies between 23 days at the shortest and 30 days at the longest, she told me not to worry too much that at least I was having regular periods!

Thanks elektra,

My hubby just had chemo as he didn't have any testicular (tumour was growing in abdominal cavity) and was offered freezing before he started. I am hoping that I am stressing unnecessarily as my periods are still regular. I was just a bit gutted last month as I was convinced I was pregnant as period 'late' and felt sick, sore boobs etc.

Haven't spoke to doctor yet, want to wait for hubbys results first

Similar here too, OH had lymphoma and we have sperm stored as treatment could make him infertile, however we've been told fertility can come back gradually, so we need to be patient at the moment, (he got the all clear in December) I have an lovely 3 year old DD and OH is all clear but everyone else seems to get pregnant at the drop of a hat. Need to give it another month or so before getting him tested. Now just about 6 months..... if it doesn't work over the next two months then it's off to the doctors. So hard to be patient!

I wanted to comment as I'm going through something similar. I was the one who had cancer and chemotherapy. I have one DS and did fertility preservation before I had chemo, so I have some embryos frozen just in case.

We're ttc at the moment. I have no idea what we'll do if I can't conceive naturally as we don't have the money to use the embryos, nor the means to raise it. I was lucky as a family member generously paid for the fertility preservation.

I have no reason to suspect infertility other than having had chemo, because I never went into the menopause and my periods never stopped plus I have age on my side, but I know that it's likely my egg reserves are damaged and there's the possibility that the eggs I have left aren't good enough quality to implant.

I know I have no advice because it's a different situation, but ttc after cancer is HARD and it's 'nice' to know I'm not alone.

Thank you all very much for your comments.. Ionacat.. we were advised to get DH sperm tested 18 months after finishing treatment (he finished Jan 2013). I hope everything goes well for everyone.. Just waiting for hubbys results.. hes starting to convince himself he is infertile as not pregnant yet .Just want to know one way or the other really x

My OH had testicular cancer about six years ago, before we met, . He had one testicle removed and some sperm frozen.

I got pregnant within three months of stopping my pill, Cerazette. My doctor said that the remaining bollock can sometimes 'make up' double the amount to compensate.

Oh, and he had about four rounds of chemo too.

Also starting the IVF process after cancer (mine). All the tests have come back with positive results so far. It looks as though my fertility recovered after chemo although I had no periods for months while it was going on. (I was single then so no embryos, and egg donation was not very reliable at the time). To complicate matters I will also be having pre-implantation genetic tests, so a v v slim chance of a baby at the end of it - although I am going to give it my best shot!

OP - are you sure there is no funding available for your IVF? I also read that one London clinic offers a refund if you don't get pregnant, and is having really good results.

A good friend and his wife had a baby girl recently after testicular cancer and having a testicle off. They thought they would need to use their frozen sperm but it all happened naturally. She is ridiculously gorgeous and they are pleased as punch.

waves to everyone

DH got diagnosed with testicular cancer in October. Had a stage 2 sarcoma (I think that's right?!). Had carboplatin as his chemo drug. That was all done and finished by Feb.

We stopped using withdrawal method in May.

And daaaa daaaa! This is me now. Well, my womb actually

Wow! Congratulations monkeyface - that is fab news!

Sorry, just read it back and I'm being insensitive

I just got all excited as I saw the title and thought 'yes, I can answer this one!'

Keep positive everybody else. Conception is a minefield.

Congratulations, Monkeyface! May your baby not take after your username.

My chemo regime included cyclophosphamide, which is one of the drugs most likely to case ovarian damage. I was on tamoxifen for a while too, which is a drug that affects oestrogen and can adversely affect the womb lining.

I'm over on the 'omg, stop peeing on sticks' thread, which I've forgotten the actual title for. I think I've ovulated this month which is good, because at least if I'm doing that, there is hope.

DP had cancer and chemo back in 2011. We didn't store any sperm as didn't think we wanted any more children. His fertility must have come back slowly as got pregnant in late 2012 (mc) and then again in early 2013 - dd born in late 2013. A total surprise but it's very wierd and can happen. He also had a lot of radiation in that area (prostrate) so we did really think that nothing would function right again!