I have so many questions!

[MrsCritter]

Hello, everyone. I just found out about this site, and I thought it would be a great place to ask my questions and get some support.

But first, a little background.

I'm 27 years old, and I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in March of this year. It was a localized tumor, and I had it and the surrounding lymph nodes successfully removed via sigmoid resection. Otherwise, I'm extremely healthy (according to my doctors).

I have since started chemotherapy as a precautionary/preventative method. I took FOLFOX for the first 5 rounds, but I have switched to FOLFIRI because the Oxyplatin was really getting to me. It seems to be working out a lot better, but I've been having some intense hot flashes.

That's where my question comes in.

The women in my family have always hit menopause in their 40's, and my husband and I have already been struggling with infertility issues (we've been trying for almost six years with no success). Is there a chance that the chemo is making my infertility worse?

I know it probably sounds like a silly fear, but I really want to have kids when this is over. My OBGYN is pretty sure that she can make it happen, but I'd still appreciate any advice you can give me. I have 5 more rounds of FOLFIRI, and, like I mentioned before, I'm otherwise very healthy.

I'm just scared, and no one in my family truly understands since I'm the first one that's had to deal with both infertility and cancer. Thank you all for understanding!

[crc2007]

Dear Mrs. Critter, welcome to this group. I don't have an answer to your question re chemo and fertility ( I was in my 50's before having chemo). However I can share lots of empathy with you re wanting children. My first pregnancy did not go well and our little baby died soon after delivery. At that stage, I was wondering if we could EVER have children and I was in my early 30's. It's not a silly fear to think that one may never have children, for whatever reason. Trust that your obgyn knows what he/she is talking about. All the best,
crc2007

[jhocno197]

Chemo can affect fertility. They should have discussed that with you beforehand.

http://m.cancer.org/treatment/treatment ... ncer/index

[MrsCritter]

Thank you both. This info is really helpful! I now have an idea of what to ask my doctor.

[nomoretacos]

Before starting FOLFOX my onc touched upon infertility as a side effect which I already understood and was fine with so our conversation didnt last very long on that subject but your onc should have definitely mentioned it and provided resources for you to think about freezing eggs and whatever else is involved. Best to have this conversation with your oncologist.

Goodluck in your journey

[macpudd]

Hi MrsCritter,
I am male, I dont know if Folfox affects males and females differently, but before I started Folfox my onc said it could affect my fertility and I was offered the oportunity to have sperm frozen. Hope all goes well for you.
Regards
Macpudd

[Andrea1976]

If you search on this forum pregnant or pregnancy. You will find a lot of women getting pregnant after treatment. Remember one in her early 40s pregnant few months after finishing chemo and having healthy boy at like 43. So it's not impossible. Best luck!

[BeansMama]

I definitely recall not only my onc mentioning it can impact fertility but it was also in the literature I received about the chemo drugs I would be getting.

It wasn't a big deal for us as we were done having children. If I were you I would definitely look into having eggs frozen. Especially with the difficulty you mentioned having in your original post. Give yourself every chance possible.

I will keep you in my thoughts.

[MrsCritter]

Thank you all! I talked with my oncologist about it, and she reassured me that I should have no problems. I guess we'll see!

8 rounds down, 4 to go

[ElizaBou]

Hi,

I just stumbled across this as I'm searching out more info on pregnancy after colon cancer.

I was diagnosed in October 2014. Stage 3 with 11 lymph nodes involved. I had a total colectomy (as I have a history of UC) with IRA surgery and 8 rounds of chemo.

Found out I was pregnant at the end of last year at the age of 41. To say I was shocked would be an understatement! Whilst I never had trouble conceiving my first two kids (before cancer), I've spent most of my adult life not using any form of contraception as I've struggled to find one that's suits me. So I'm not what I would consider a very fertile person.

From what I understand, if you're younger at the time of treatment, there's a higher probability your fertility will be retained.

Now I'll continue my trawl for more info! It's VERY hard to find! Good luck!!