| | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 21 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 21 | Hi all,
My oncolgoist recommended waiting at least 2 years after treatment to become pregnant again. (I first got cancer when I was 8 months pregnant with my son last year). Well, turns out radiation changed my body so much my birth control failed and I'm pregnant again. Has anyone had any experience with this? We're totally thrilled but totally nervous since I may be rolling out the red carpet for the cancer to return...I may be on an island with this one but thought I'd check.
Belinda Jo- Age 28 non-smoker, casual wine drinker, original tx 5/09, T3/N2 (now N0)/M0, 2 tongue surgeries partial glossectomy, Rad x 35 treatment began 7/8/09, no chemo, neck dissection 11/25 revealed 12 benign nodes!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Just curious, were your oral cancer slides ever tested for HPV?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | Hi Belinda
firstly congratulations.Secondly i doubt whether there are many of us old crocks who have much experience of your dilemma lol.
I am not sure whether oral cancer reacts with pregnancy hormones in the same way other cancers do,so the possibility of recurrence is a bit of a grey area for me,but i am sure brian will have that information.What would worry me i think is the drain on your body of a pregnancy particularly if you lost a lot of weight during your tx or had nutrition issues.You need to get some good advice from your doctors and a an obstetrics specialist. good luck.
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 440 | Belinda congrats on the baby!
I agree with Liz and say ask the drs about this. You seem like you are only a couple months ahead of me and I dont even want to know how I would manage a pregnancy at this stage. Even though I'm done with having kids, I still got an IUD placed in fear of that situation. In the same breath, any pregnancy/child is a blessing and wish you the best. Maybe someone will be able to give you some insight/advice on this one!
Dx 3/27/09 @ 28 years old with High Grade MEC T4N2M0
Elizabeth, 33, mother of 3 girls (4,7, &8yrs old)
3 rds of chemo(Carbo/Taxol)
Rt Mandibulectomy, rt fibular flap,& rt ND with trach, picc,& g-tube.
30 rds of rads with weekly cisplatin
SCANS ALL CLEAR!
OCF Regional Coordinator of San Antonio Walk
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 790 | Hi Belinda. Well congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. I'm not sure but I don't think oral cancer is connected to hormonal changes like breast cancer and ovarian/uterian cancers are. I plan to start a family at the end of summer (hopefully i won't have trouble). This weighed heavily on my mind too.
I know that when pregnant you can't have the MRI's or Pet scans so just make sure you are going in for physical exams and scopes more often so that they can keep a close watch on you during your pregnancy. Then check with your Drs. on what they reccommend regarding MRI's after you deliver.
Take care of yourself and get lots of rest...You've been through a rough time and enjoy being pregnant too!
I'm sure everything will be fine.
K
Tongue Cancer T2 N0 M0 /
Total Glossectomy Due to Location of Tumor
Finished all treatments May 25 2007
Surviving!!!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 396 |
Teresa
-----------
CG to ANDY. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
T2N2cMxG4 stage 4. 43 @ dx 8/31/09
tx 9/21/09-11/06/09 cispatin/docetaxel/5-FU X3
PORT 9/9/09, PEG 12/07/09
35 IMRT-1/wk carbo 11/30/09-2/3/10
tx stopped due to complications
IMRT BOOST 3/08-3/12/10
PET 4/12/10 CLEAR!
PEG out 4/14/10
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Congrats on the baby and next time take an aspirin. Just hold it tight between your knees .. LOL
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 21 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 21 | Thanks everyone. I do think oral cancer is different than other cancers in terms of the hormonal changes. The issue is the immunosuppression that occurs during pregnancy not allowing my body to fight anything that could come up. I did not have my slides tested for HPV...an insurance thing. I wish I would have now. I will definately get all my exams and scopes. Thanks!
Belinda Jo- Age 28 non-smoker, casual wine drinker, original tx 5/09, T3/N2 (now N0)/M0, 2 tongue surgeries partial glossectomy, Rad x 35 treatment began 7/8/09, no chemo, neck dissection 11/25 revealed 12 benign nodes!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 595 | Hi, Congrats on the up-comming baby!!! Semper-Fi Bob
Bob age 57, non smoker,non drinker, ended treatment on 11 Nov 2007 and started back to work on 29 Nov 2007. Veterans Day 2012 the Battle was lowered, folded, Taps was played and the Flag buried as I am know a 5 year survivor. Semper-FI !!!
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