Newbie

[Mum2ollie]

....to all of this anyway!

Just thought I'd come here and chat cos I figured the people here would understand the best.

Lol and I aren't trying for a baby at all at the moment, it would be stupid to without a home and with all the health worries and his redundancy on top, BUT I know there will come a day in the next 2 years when everything settles when we would like to have one more.
My priority at the moment is Lol getting his health back, but the Dr said we would be wise if he banked some sperm before his chemo starts in case he never gets his fertility back.

At the moment, we could probably conceive fine with the one testicle but once he has chemo they can't guarentee his fertility will return, or it might take 2-5 years if it does.

We've got to discuss it all with the specialist but I just wondered how you all felt about it and your experiences. I am totally silly I know, but there is something about some total stranger physically putting Lol's sperm into me that just makes it all seem so ...clinical. I know it doesn't change how much you love the child or the fact that it IS your child, but am I wrong for thinking this way. And I know it's stupid but I keep thinking of daft things like "what if they give me the wrong sperm" (Idiot, aren't I?! ops Then there's the cost of it all, although we were told that because of Lol's illness the sperm would only cost about £200 a year to bank since we've chosen for this to happen.

I know I was very very lucky to conceive ollie the first month we tried, we didn't expect it to be so quick! But now I'm not sure I can face something so clinical and I dont mean that in an offensive way to anybody who has had children this way, I know that for some it's the only way they can conceive and those people have my total admiration as it must have taken such determination and courage to do.

Sorry I'm probably not making much sense...and I probably sound really selfish to be thinking this when Lol is going through all this. I can't really talk to him (even though he has experience of it as he went through IVF to get Ellis) because I think he's got enough on his plate as it is, so I dont want to worry him.

Anyway, would be interested to hear your own experiences and views...

Sam
xx

[MumaSmurf]

I'm very thankful that I conceived Keiran without any treatments being required.

I personally think we would bank the sperm as I think it'd be better to have it and not need it than to want it but can't get it. I hope that makes sense.
I'm sure they have very strict regulations in place to make sure the sperm doesn't get muddled up.

I know the chances are slimmer after chemo but it's not impossible to conceive naturally.

Hopefully others on here that have gone through treatment will be able to give you more advice.

Claire xx

[Karen]

As you know i went through 4 icsi treatments. Because the problem was me, i never had the choice...but if it had been the other way round i think i would bank the sperm. It may not be necessary to use it, hopefully, but it would be something to fall back on if you do.
As for it being clinical, well yes it did feel like it...but, and it is a big but, you do get used to it. However, nothing takes that feeling of delight when you get the +ive pregnancy test at the end of it all.
I would presume they would do iui for you rather than ivf as you dont have a problem, you would need to discuss this with the consultant though.

[Mamabird]

oh sam i would feel the same and have the same questions going around my head

I would bank the sperm aswell just incase as it would be better to have it their to fall back on if you need it, i myself have been very lucky with concieving i concieve 3 times in 12months then again non id twins after deacan which resulted in serenna

i have nothing but admiration for people who go through it all i cant imagine how hard it is

hopefully lol's sperm wont be affected much

xx

[Mum2ollie]

Thanks all. I think we will definitely bank. I'd rather that than not do it and regret it later.

karen - what is iui (I have no clue, sorry! ops: ) And I didnt mean to offend anyone with the "clinical" comment, it's just me. I'm sure you do get used to it, its just all a very new area to me at the moment.
I'm sure the +ve result is the best feeling in the world, especially when you've gone through all that.

Sam
x

[Clare]

Sam I am also very lucky that I concieved naturally as well. My friend Mandy and her husband had to store sperm after he had chemo for his testicular cancer. They did need to use it when the time came as he was infertile They were lucky and the treatment worked 1st time on both accounts and they now have a boy 5 and a girl 2.

It would be best for you to bank the sperm then later on down the road at least you will have options should you need them

Clare xx

[Shell]

Sam,

I would say to go ahead and bank it, at the end of the day its best to have it there then not have it there at all.

I had ICSI Sam where they put the sperm in but to be honest it did not make any difference what so ever I felt no different with having Alex then I guess I would of done naturally.

IUI is when you will release your eggs and they will just put the sperm up there and let it find its own way I believe but I may be wrong. #

You have to voice your concerns and whilst I appreciate Lol is poorly you need to think on this.

Love
Shell
xx

[Lyn]

Sam

I was also lucky to concieve naturally but i would bank the sperm, cause then its there if you need it and if you dont then you dont.

Lyn xxx

[jayne]

i would bank sperm and i would be like u thinking of everything i hope u dont hav eto use it but it there if u ned it

[Mum2ollie]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your comments.
I'm certain we will bank it. There is a high risk his fertility wont come back at all after chemo, so it's not worth risking that in the future, I know I'll kick myself.
I will talk to Lol about it at some point, probably after we've had the biopsy results back.

Clare - it's good to know other people have had success in the same situation.

Sam
x