My “After-Cancer” Fertility Story
At 33 years old, I was pregnant with my first child. It was a seemingly normal pregnancy until I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the 4th month of my pregnancy. As you can imagine my husband Pete and I were devastated and quickly sought the help of a variety of surgeons, oncologists, ob-gyns and the Pregnant with Cancer support team. We ultimately decided on a double mastectomy followed by 3 months of chemotherapy, a short break to deliver the baby and then finish up the final three months of chemotherapy, followed by bi-lateral reconstruction. We had done a great deal of research and heard that the chemotherapy we were planning on doing would not cross the placenta (as far as everyone knew).
The plan was successful. I delivered a full term healthy gorgeous little girl named Scarlett (by C-section). I finished up my chemotherapy and subsequent surgeries and I am now cancer free. A year after I finished my chemotherapy my period had not returned. I was afraid that I was one of the victims of a chemically induced menopause. I sought the help of a well known very exclusive fertility doctor in Manhattan. My visit with him was one of the worst days of my life. After some blood tests and an internal sonogram he told me I was definitely in menopause and past the point of no return. He told me my ovaries were black, hard and “dead”. He said my fallopian tubes were collapsed and could not be healed. He recommended removing my tubes and ovaries and explained that I would never conceive a child naturally and if I did, I would surely miscarry. He explained that my only option was to undergo a donor egg procedure since my eggs were all “too old and damaged”.
I left his office devastated. I desperately wanted another child. My husband and I resigned ourselves to adopt but I was sick over the idea that I would never again carry a baby and was in menopause on top of it.
After three weeks of crying I was up one night surfing the web for information on adoption. I started to do some research about natural fertility cures and an article about an infertility book came up. I quickly went to a bookstore website and ordered the book called “The Infertility Cure” by Randine Lewis. Days later when it arrived I could not put it down. I read it from cover to cover taking notes along the way. I implemented the plan outlined in the book right away. It was not easy.
The plan involved eating a diet full of whole foods and whole grains. That meant removing all white sugar, white flour, dairy, alcohol, processed foods, most meat, and foods containing chemicals (which is almost all food from a grocery store). I started to shop organically. This was the hardest part of the program for me. For anyone who knows me this plan was almost laughable. My whole life I was one of those lucky people who ate whatever I wanted and still barely broke the 100 lb. mark. Dieting was something not in my vocabulary. Eating 2-3 chocolate doughnuts for breakfast was the norm for me. I just felt that if I could do this diet for one year and really give it a try it would be worth it. I certainly had nothing to lose.
In addition to the diet the book recommended a daily shot of wheatgrass (from the local health food store), acupuncture, eliminating stress (by meditating daily) and seeing a doctor of Chinese medicine for monitoring and herbs.
I found a wonderful doctor by the name of Helen Law and soon was working with her. What really struck me about Dr. Law was that she appeared to have no doubt that she could not only get me out of menopause but could help me to become pregnant. Working with Dr. Law was a pleasure. She would monitor my progress and tell me to keep the stress level down. She continuously changed the herbs to my most recent needs.
Within 3 months my period had returned, two months later I was having normal cycles with ovulation, one month later I was pregnant. My husband and family were stunned and elated. I am leaving out another very important part of my fertility regimen – prayer. I never stopped praying for a baby. I prayed to St. Gerard and I feel it was God that helped me surf the web to find Dr. Lewis’ book and ultimately Dr. Law. I delivered a perfect son named Peter. There is no doubt in my mind that it would have not been possible without your intervention. I hope to have another baby in the next two years.
– Jacqueline A.