Hi ladies
After having a radical trachelectomy in Feb 2015 and trying to conceive unsuccessfully for the last 10 months we are about to embark on IVF. As I don’t have time to set up a proper blog, I am going to post about the process on here for anyone interested - now or in the future. Equally, if anyone has any tips, tricks or advice PLEASE share.
A little about me to begin with…
At 34 years old and newly married, my partner and I were ready to start trying for a baby. As I was a couple of months late having my smear (wedding planning/honeymoon etc.) I thought i’d better get everything checked out.
Much to my surprise (after never having an abnormal smear) I received a letter with the dreaded words ‘severe dyskorisis’. After much crying and googling, I had diagnosed myself with cancer and was in a right state.
To cut a long story short, after being given a Lletz and a cheery ‘see you in 6 months’, I was called into the hospital 2 days after New Year. This is when they broke the news that they had found cancer in the sample and it was staged 1B1. I was told I would need a trachelectomy as a minimum and possibly a hysterectomy. WOW words cannot express the shock and fear i felt at that time.
I was extremely lucky that my scans were clear and I had a successful trachelectomy 4 weeks after diagnosis. Recovery went well and we were given the green light to conceive after 6 months. and…despite much trying…nothing happened!
After 9 months I saw my GP and had to push, push , push to be referred for tests. I know the wait is usually 12 months but after a trachelectomy and cancer there are extenuating circumstances. What if it comes back and i need more treatment? What if we have other issues, apart from the obvious lack of cervix? I LOVE the NHS, it saved my life and my fertility, but you sometimes have to be your own advocate and fight for your health.
So we got our tests. And low and behold there are male factor issues affecting our fertility as well!!! Some have very little chance of natural conception and we would have wasted another 3 months trying and worrying.
So that’s it. We have been referred for IVF.
The doctor has said that we may do ICSI (where they inject one sperm into each egg) but this will depend on whether or not the vitamins and healthy lifestyle hubby has been on to up his count has worked.
They are also going to do a ‘mock transfer’ to make sure they can get through to my womb before they go ahead and try with my precious little embryos. I cannot find any information on IVF for ladies post trachelectomy so I am hoping this continued post can help someone else in the future.
So, whatever happens I’ll update you soon! Wish me luck!
N x