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31 and Scared of Infertility

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kelly31 View Drop Down
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    Posted: Feb 11 2010 at 4:53pm
Hello,

DX TNBC- Node negative, 2.5 centimeter tumor, Grade 2 of 3, Stage 2a

I am new to this sight and am hoping someone can relate to my situation and give me some advice.  I was diagnosed 12/28/2009 have had a lumpectomy of right breast and then a re-excision a week later to get clear margins.

I have not started chemo, put am expected to start in the next couple of weeks.  I was told that the "TAC" treatment for TNBC is aggressive and has a 50% chance of making me infertile.

Can anyone give me advice or has anyone gone through the process of egg and embryo freezing?


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dmwolf View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dmwolf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 11 2010 at 5:39pm
Hi, Kelly.  Are you doing TAC as in all three drugs at one time, for about six cycles?  If so, you might want to get a second opinion on that.  This is a very toxic regimen, and hasn't shown any survival advantage in comparison to the milder dose dense AC followed by Taxol.  In fact, I think it doesn't do as well.   Also, there are clinical trials you might want to join rather than doing even that.   There is a fantastic one called ISPY-2 that should be recruiting now.  I highly recommend it.  Others are trials that combine standard chemo with a PARP inhibitor.

But that's not what you were asking about!  I've heard good things about using Lupron or some other drug to shut down your ovaries before chemo.  This seems to result in less damage.   The only problem with egg/embryo freezing is that you would need to take something like clomid to produce a lot of eggs.  Even though our cancers are TN and therefore supposedly not estrogen-responsive, I would be loath to do anything like pump hormones or growth factors into my body so close to a cancer diagnosis.  Who knows what that might do to any lingering cells.  But everyone has their own ideas about acceptable risk.   Good luck, and keep us posted.
Love,
Denise
DX 2/08@43 stg II IDC; gr2,0 nodes. Neoadj chemo, first ACx2 (fail) then CarboTaxotereX6(better). Lump, Rads done 11/08; Clodronate. False alarm queen: PetCT lung & TM marker. NED. PBM w/recon 9/10.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kellyless Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 11 2010 at 5:41pm
There are things they can try to protect your ovaries, there's a drug they give you shot of.  I was offered it, but being 45 and my kids almost grown I turned them down.  I believe it's called something like "Lupron" - or something like that.  Definately egg or embryo freezing should be considered.  Egg if you don't have a partner, and embryo if you a partner you want the eggs to be matched with?  Ask to speak with a specialist about this - STAT.   You don't want to delay your chemo, but you want to have the time to weigh and act on your options.  There's a young lady on here that was not given enough info and did not act before chemo and she's greatly regretting it, so fight for your right to the information.  You are in charge!
 
Have they done the BRCA testing for you yet? 
IDC, 2.2 cm, Stage IIb,lumpectomy 1/30/09 ACx4,Tx4 36 rads
6/1/16 Local recurrence same breast, same spot 1.8cm Carb.4x every 3 wks, Taxol 12x once wk. Dbl Mast. PCR!! Reconstruction fail, NED!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mom&grandma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 11 2010 at 11:26pm
Hi Kelley,
 
There was a conversation about this that GirlPower initiated a few months ago.  You might want to do a search on Lupron to find that conversation.  Maybe Girl Power will see this and post a reply.
 
Bonnie
Bonnie, mom of Heather, age 32, Dx on 9/1/09 TN IDC Stage 1, 1.4 c, lumpectomy, 10/8/09, DD AC & T, 3/9/10 bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction, BRCA 1/2-
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kelly31 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kelly31 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 12 2010 at 2:11pm
Hi Denise,

I have exhausted all financial options and am unable to complete the egg preservation before I start chemo on the 26th....I did call my oncologist and asked about Lupron.  He is researching it and is going to get back to me.  I am unsure on the TAC about the doses, but will ask next week. 

Thanks so much for the information-

Hugs-Kelly
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kelly31 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kelly31 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb 12 2010 at 4:25pm
They are doing the BRCA test next week and I have asked my oncologist about Lupron and he is doing some research on it.  Unfortunately, the cost of the freezing is just not in the cards at this time.

Thanks for the information-Hugs

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote girlpower731 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 04 2010 at 11:56pm
It looks like I read this post to late.  Here is the website that helps cancer patients with fertility treatments prior to receiving chemo treatment.
 
 
I myself had fertility treatment done this past September and paid the money out of pocket (my insurance didn't cover it and I didn't go through the assistance above).  The fertility treatment didn't work.  I went through the egg harvesting and there was nothing in the follicles that were useful.  It was a huge upset to me, finding this out the day before my 32nd birthday and just days prior to the start of my first chemo.
 
My fertility doctor put me on Lupron and I received the shot every 4 weeks.  I had my last lupron shot on Jan. 4th 2010 which was my last chemo.  I have yet to get my monthly visitor but the lupron was in my system for 4-5 weeks since the 4th of Jan.
 
Kelly, if you ever want to chat I am here.  I am halfway through my radiation for my treatment.
 
Girlpower
dx: age 31. Stage 2a, BRCA1/2 -, Lumpectomy 8/09, AC/Taxol dense dose 9/09-1/10
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 05 2010 at 7:38am
Kelly,

Hello!  I just wanted to pop in and welcome you.  I've also heard about the Lupron shots for younger women. 

Have you had your Vitamin D3 level checked?  Most of us with bc have very low levels of D3.  Ask your onc for a test so you'll know your level.  It's important to take D3 supplements to boost your levels.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/



Edited by 123Donna - Mar 05 2010 at 7:43am
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 123Donna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 05 2010 at 7:45am
Kelly,

Check out this new publication about TNBC:

http://www.lbbc.org/data/media/LBBCunderstandtriplenegative.pdf

DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kelly31 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 05 2010 at 11:09am
Hi Girlpower,

We are the same diagnosis in all areas....age and everything...wow, crazy huh?  How are you?  I just had my first round of Chemo and it was rough, but I am finally feeling better after a week :)  Same Doses and Meds as you---Dense Dose TAC---Every three weeks....  How is radiation and how do you feel physically?  How was Chemo for you?

I am so sorry that the fertility treatment did not work for you.  I had my first shot of Lupron at my first chemo, so we will see what happens...I will be praying for us....

Has your Doctor gave you any prognosis?  I am scared....  Let's keep in touch---My email is klly_sullivan@yahoo.com

Take Care--HUGS XOXO
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nmunoz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 06 2010 at 1:47pm
Hi Kelly,

I was diagnosed at 32 and also had many concerns regarding infertility. When I was diagnosed I already have had my baby (he was six months old then) and when I started this journey I wanted to concentrate on the cancer so I did not take any fertility treatments. I began chemo the first week of January 2009 and had my last period at the end of February of 2009. I was getting a little worried about my fertility by the end of last year as my period had not returned but my oncologist and also my gynecologist oncologist (I'm BRACA1+ so I'm being followed up by one of those too because of my risk of ovarian cancer) were pretty confident that I was going to get my period back. They said that because of my age they were not very concerned at this point. In fact what they said is that they would start worrying about that and making tests etc. after two years had passed after my last period. Well, it looks like they were right... I got my period back about three weeks ago so it seems that things will get back to normal on that front. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I already finished chemo, radiation and had my reconstruction (exchange) surgery a month ago.

Best,

Natalia
Natalia, 38 years

Dx TNBC 10/22/08, BRCA1+

Double Mx 11/20/08 with Recon.

3/37 nodes

Rads 7 weeks done 8/09

ACx4 every 2 weeks and Tx12 weeks. Avastin e/3 weeksx10 (Clinical Trial) Done Dec/09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kellyless Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 06 2010 at 3:04pm
I covet Natalia's period.  How screwed up is that?  Never could have imagined wanting my periods back, but I'd pay to get 'em back.  Congrat's Natalia!  Were you having menapausal symptoms while the period was on vacation?
IDC, 2.2 cm, Stage IIb,lumpectomy 1/30/09 ACx4,Tx4 36 rads
6/1/16 Local recurrence same breast, same spot 1.8cm Carb.4x every 3 wks, Taxol 12x once wk. Dbl Mast. PCR!! Reconstruction fail, NED!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nmunoz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 06 2010 at 7:00pm
Thanks Kellyless. I understand your feelings, believe me at the beginning I was so focused on just getting rid of the cancer that I didn't think about these issues but as time passed after I had finished chemo (I finished standard chemo at the end of May -after that I was on Avastin only-) I began to worry about it and was anxiously waiting for my monthly visitor to come back. I did not have a lot of menopausal symptoms. A little bit of hot flashes or something like that I believe as I am usually cold and some night I had to take some of the covers off and my husband (who always feels cold as well) complained when I did it... But that was it.

Best,

Natalia

Natalia, 38 years

Dx TNBC 10/22/08, BRCA1+

Double Mx 11/20/08 with Recon.

3/37 nodes

Rads 7 weeks done 8/09

ACx4 every 2 weeks and Tx12 weeks. Avastin e/3 weeksx10 (Clinical Trial) Done Dec/09
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kellyless Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Mar 08 2010 at 10:20am

Deep down I know, with my age and all my nasty menapausal symptoms, it's gone for good for me.  That's my message to the ladies out there just starting, give SERIOUS thought to doing the drugs they offer to protect the ovaries (if you're not BRCA + of course) keep the periods if you can, so you can do the whole menapause crap later, instead of while you are recouping from surgery/chemo/rads!

IDC, 2.2 cm, Stage IIb,lumpectomy 1/30/09 ACx4,Tx4 36 rads
6/1/16 Local recurrence same breast, same spot 1.8cm Carb.4x every 3 wks, Taxol 12x once wk. Dbl Mast. PCR!! Reconstruction fail, NED!
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