Fertility

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Hi there. I had testicular cancer and i have recently celebrated 5 years cancer free - my wife helped me through treatment brilliantly. I am 33 and my wife is 30, and we are trying for a baby. I did bank sperm before we went through chemo, but it has poor mobility - but they banked it just in case (I had more pressing matters to deal with then!). We have been trying to 2 years and recently i do another sperm sample when they said there was no sperm. So, i rang up the fertility clinic and they still have some of my sperm, but because of poor quality sperm, they need to use it all to go through IVF and hopefully have a baby. We are going through NHS, and we are at the stage when we are waiting for a fertility doctor. How long is the wait for one? We have been waiting a month already. Also, my wife, though she wont admit it, really wants to have a baby (and it kills me that i can’t give it to her) - If my own sperm doesn’t work, I am keen to use donor sperm. I was wondering if you people has any stories on donor sperm or anything else can we can use

  • Hi Lw07bm.

    I’m Lorna one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the support line.

    Welcome back to the online community.

    I’m glad to hear that you have been cancer free now for 5 years and that your wife supported you so well through this anxious time.

    It’s only natural to feel upset and worried that you have been trying to conceive for 2 years now following your treatment for testicular cancer.

    As you probably already know in order to have IVF treatment on the NHS certain criteria must be met. Waiting times to see a fertility doctor will depend on the area you live in and availability. Usually it’s around 4 weeks after a referral letter has been received. It might help to get back in touch with your GP and ask them when they think this may be possible. You can also talk to them about seeing someone privately if this is something you want to do.

    Using donated sperm can be a big decision to make and its important that you both take your time to think about this and if it’s the right decision for you. Your fertility doctor will be able to discuss all these options with you.

    Fertility treatment can be an emotional rollercoaster and it’s important to get support from someone who understands. You can speak to your Doctor about getting infertility counselling on the NHS or you could go privately. The men’s health forum can offer support and put you in touch with others who may have shared your experience. Or you could look at one of our other forum topics on fertility.

    I hope you find this information helpful

    Please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if there is anything else, we can support you with.

    Best wishes, Lorna

     

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

     

     

    Lorna-Macmillan (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)