Cancer in pregnancy

Good morning Alice Alice123, good plan to spread your net out into the general NHL Forum so lets see if you can pick up more hits.

This is a LINK to your first post in the DLBCL Forum where you have received some good initial contacts including HopefulMummy123.

If you put Barts or St Barts into the Search Box just under the Forum Heading you can search out hits on Barts or St Barts.

((hugs))

Aw Alice, I'm so sorry you are so scared. But you are right - it's treatable and you still have lots of options. It sounds as though the health professional you have spoken with knows the basics but is referring you to Barts for a bit more speciality care because of the pregnancy. 

Please be assured, that there are lots of chemotherapy drugs that can be given safely during pregnancy. Like I said on your other post, I don't know what would be offered for Non Hodgkins, but I spoke in depth with my consultant just after my diagnosis, who stated that once in the second trimester, the placenta works incredibly well at filtering out the chemo I was receiving (ABVD) and none would reach baby. Baby was born incredibly healthy in September, 5 weeks early and is now 9 months old and thriving. I was diagnosed around 10 weeks too and waited until I was 26 weeks pregnant to start chemo. 

Also, please please if you feel you have knowhere to turn - call Mummy's Star, even if just for a 5 minute chat. They have advocated for other Mums and found consultants for second opinions, all sorts. They can also advise on treatments during pregnancy and will have supported many other Mums with Non Hodgkins previously. They have just held Cancer and Pregnancy Awareness Week on Facebook and shared lots of 'real life' stories from some of the Mums if you want to have a look too.  

Macmillan are also available on the phone, and I believe Lymphoma Action as well. There are lots of people ready to have a chat and who want to support you the best they can at such a scary time. 

Do you have a partner at home you can turn to? Close friend? Family?

The waiting is so so hard but you are strong and you can do it!!

Hi Alice,

Remember me we met in hospital when you had your first day of chemo. After I finished my first course of chemo I relapsed then relapsed again after the second course. I was then sent up to Barts for further treatment. I must say all the staff at Barts are wonderful & very  caring.

I have seen a few pregnant ladies having chemo there I don't know if one of the consultants specialises in looking after pregnant ladies but I do know you will be in excellent hands. All the very best to you say hi to you mum from me.

Lyn x

Hi Lyn

Yes I do remember you. Thank.you for getting in touch. im so sorry to hear that I hope you are doing okay. I've had so many ultrasound scans and biopsies in last 2 years i cant really believe its happening. I thought after 2 rounds of ivf and finally getting.pregnant the nightmare was over. 

Thank you for telling me about barts. I have an appointment on Monday now thanks to my mum. I will say hi from you.

Thanks again for your reply x

Thank you highlander

Great that you are getting some connections and this is what the Online Community is so good for.

((hugs)) for Monday xx

Hi thank you

I have contacted mummy star, did you?I think their putting me in touch with.their CEO who knows some things. 

I contacted lymphoma action and also speaking to Dr Cardonick from Americafoing big research study on.pregnant women with cancer. she emailed me couple of times and said she help with any advice she can give at hope for 2 website.

Can i ask did you choose to wait till 26 weeks or doctor advise you too?

I know DBLC non hodgkins is fast growing so am thinking will start treatment after first trimester when safe for baby.

I am married, got married 3 months after I started chemo in 2017. I do have a lot of support from my close family.

Just little knowledge on treating cancer during pregnancy. 

I now have appointment on Monday in London I think that's thanks to my mum pushing it forward.

I know they can sort it again and better do it for good this time just dreading all the appointments and side effects and months of treatment. You just want your pregnancy to be a happy time.

Was your baby a natural? I had to go through 2 IVF transfers before we got pregnant.

My baby due late January so I should be finished treatment before then I hope.

So happy to hear of your baby news and hope you are doing well 

Alice x

Hi

Yes I contacted them. Their Mum to Mum support has been great.

Fantastic you are in touch with other professionals too! I hope you are feeling a bit more positive at your options today

My baby is my third, and yes natural. I followed my consultants advice and held out as long as possible without chemo. It wasnt easy, and my tumour did grow, but I feel that I made the best decision for my personal circumstances. I couldn't have a PET, so was staged with an MRI.

I am now 4 months post Auto Stem Cell and doing well thank you :-) still not 100% but getting there!

Yes it would be amazing if you had finished treatment by January :-). I bet you have your 12 week scan coming up soon - sorry if I sound uneducated, but do you have more scans with an IVF baby? I had extra with my youngest because they were checking her growth while I was on chemo and to check she was okay to come early etc! It was lovely having a peek in a baby before each chemo session

I hope all goes well Monday, high five to Mum for pushing it forward! 

Thank you

I was thinking an MRI too as I understand safest for baby. Did you have this in your first trimester? I am always checking so hope it's early I even had an.mri.later last year.

I'm glad your on road to recovery. 

Yes 12 week coming up.soon. I only had one 7 week ultasound in my.ivf package. We did book private 10 week one just after 7 week one for peace of mind. We saw our beautiful baby wriggling yesterday and this has really made me think.i need to.fo this for baby. What got me through last time was my frozen embryos. 

Unfortunately the chemo last time took away my fertility. That has been really hard to come to terms with over the last year so were thrilled to have this one waiting. It's really cruel what has now happened but we can overcome this hurdle and have our little one at the end. We picked.out our pram and started converting our other bedroom which will be the nursery.

Take care

Alice x

Hi

Please can you tell me if you know names any consultants in UK preferable London treating pregnancy in cancer?

Alice x