Research-backed
Image: Shutterstock
When I was planning for my first baby, I started to get impatient after a while. And, I just could not wait to hear the good news. Perhaps, that is why I indulged in quite a bit of online research when it comes to infertility. But then, the worry at the time was unfounded and I soon received the big news that I had been waiting for so long. However, as life has it, I was soon faced with an expected challenge all over again. Not just me, but my entire family.
My loving husband was diagnosed with cancer last year. We had gone for a routine consultation with our doctor to get his tonsils checked. But, this routine checkup took an unexpected turn, for worse. Something fishy caught our doctor’s eyes and he recommended further tests. The results showed that he was suffering from lymphoma, which is a pretty aggressive form of cancer. Thus, it was important to start the treatment immediately and my husband needed a high dosage of chemotherapy treatment.
Of course, the weeks following the diagnosis were both an emotional and physical roller coaster. Our entire focus was to figure out a way to save my amazing husband’s life. I forgot about everything and spent innumerable hours trying to coordinate between the oncologists, radiologists, and the pathologists. I literally dropped everything. I could not work; I could not eat; I could not even take care of my precious, little daughter.
Image: Shutterstock
Having another baby was not a thought that even crossed my mind. On one hand, my mind was already preoccupied with the thoughts of figuring out every possible effort to ensure my husband’s survival. While on the other, I felt guilty for being unable to do justice to my infant daughter as well. I was finding it difficult to even take care of all her needs, given the dire circumstances.
During the initial days of cancer, I read one of the emails that had somehow landed in the inbox. Now that I look at it, in hindsight, it was sheer luck. There were numerous emails that I received after my husband’s diagnosis from friends and relatives who extended their support and love to us. And, of course, there were times when I missed an email here and there. But, not this one.
I barely knew the woman who had sent that life-changing mail. Her husband, who was a former friend, was also suffering from cancer. And, she suggested me to find out more about fertility preservation before my husband starts with his chemotherapy. I won’t deny that I was a little intrigued. Maybe, this was also because her points were quite compelling. She told me how the process is going to be painless and quick so it won’t even interfere with my husband’s treatment. And, the best part was that she also gave me the number of a nearby doctor I could contact.
Image: Shutterstock
Before taking any decision, I wanted to have a chat with the doctor first. So, I asked my husband’s oncologist about the possibility of freezing his sperm. And, I tried to probe him further about the effects of chemotherapy on fertility. However, he gave me a non-definitive response. But, I was not willing to take any risk for a non-committal answer.
So, I immediately consulted the specialist suggested by the woman. The very next day itself, the clinic called us in. The process was indeed quick and we had vials of preserved sperm with us a couple of days prior to the cancer treatment.
Bringing you up to date, it has been one and a half years. And, my husband is fortunately cancer-free. But, yes, his fertility did take a hit because of the chemotherapy (1). We are now planning for another baby. And, luckily, we do have my husband’s preserved sperm to help us out with that. All thanks to this woman! Otherwise, our doctors might not have mentioned this to us and we would have not known about this until it was too late!
