Pregnancy After Thyroid Cancer Posted: 05-05-04 20:22pm
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 1 week
after giving birth to my daughter nearly 4
years ago.
After having a full thyroidectomy and
surrounding lymph nodes removed from my
neck I recvd radioiodine therapy.
I was a full bill of health and then 2
years ago another lymph node higher up in
my neck was found to be cancerous. I then
had another operation removing 44 lymph
nodes in total. Again more radioiodine
therapy and again have been all clear for
2 years. (i must add that at no point
have I felt ill, except immediately after
the operations I was a little under the
weather!!)
really my question now is, is that I would
like to have another baby. The doctors
have said I must carry on with my life as
normal, but they cannot guarantee that the
cancer will not be stimulated again during
prgnancy, but have seen alot of these
cases and women have gone on to have
further children with no complications. I
worry that if I do become pregnant, the
cancer will return and I will have to
suffer the consequences.
Is it worth the risk of having another
child? Or should I just be grateful with
what I already have ( which by the way I
am).
My husband is very sceptical.
If someone out there has become pregnant
after having had thyroid cancer, I would
appreciate you advise and information.
|
purple333
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 1420 Location: Sydney
Posted: 05-06-04 01:23am
I haven't been in your shoes so all I can
do is give is some general stuff to put it
in perspective in a sense.
Yes, your cancer could return whether you
have another child or not.
Yes, you could die, whether you have
another child or not.
Yes, the cancer could kill you but so
could a bus, or car crash.
Think about what you want, what you can
afford (financially & emotionally)
what you would do if all else was normal
& then do what you feel is right for
you.
What is right for you - that is the
operative decision you need to make.
