infertility

I’ve been so busy working on my regular “job” that I just about waited to late to post! My attention has been diverted today because I’ve not only been really enjoying my work, but it has been very interesting as well. Most of my day has been spent researching various chemotherapy drugs and studying about different types of cancer. I was surprised, honestly, at how many of the drugs carried warnings related to fertility.

Although a member of my family recent fought (and won, for the time being) a battle with cancer, I didn’t realize the effect the drugs could have.  I mean, I understood fully that the drugs were toxic and it was very dangerous to try to conceive while undergoing treatment for cancer — not to mention that when you’re in a fight for your life, you kind of need to concentrate on you. But, I didn’t realize (had never thought about) how dangerous it can be to conceive a child if even your spouse is undergoing chemotherapy.  Men who are treated with chemotherapy drugs are warned not to have unprotected sex for up to a month or more after taking their last treatment.

If, God forbid, you or your spouse need to be treated with chemo, please talk to the doctors about trying to conceive. Most often, it is recommended that a couple use not one, but two different types of birth control - the risks of damage to a baby conceived at that time is almost definite.  We all want a little one, but sometimes we have to wait to get it.

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