My Story of Cancer Infertility

April 9, 2005 was one of the best days ever. I was marrying my college sweetheart. Just over a year later, we decided to start a family. We had some difficulties at first. My cycles were never regular, until I began using various forms of birth control in my early 20s. I had been diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease and polycystic ovarian syndrome in my late 20s early 30s. We tried unsuccessfully without any assistance for 7 months before I begin taking Clomid and eventually, Metformin. For 6 months, it was a rigorous cycle of taking medications, having vaginal ultrasounds and lab work drawn, with no positive results. It was now time to see the fertility experts.

Our first visit to the fertility doctor consisted of a plan to restart the same regime my gynecologist previously had me on, with the Clomid and Metformin but in a different sequence. He felt this was the best way to start. However, I wasn't so thrilled. Nonetheless, I was willing to do any and everything to finally become pregnant. His plan was to check some lab work and start the Metformin for a couple of months, to "clean up" my ovaries and then start the Clomid.

After a couple of months on the Metformin, we were ready to start the Clomid. As luck would have it, my reproductive tract was not cooperating. We had to then proceed with taking a medication to start my cycle and then have a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This procedure was to check for blocked fallopian tubes. I took the medication and waited. After 10 days, there was still no cycle. During this time, I was still taking the Metformin, which had a tendency to make me feel shaky, nauseated, and lightheaded once I reached the required 2000mg/day. With the advice of my physician, I was able to adjust the dosages during the day to help alleviate those side effects. This helped tremendously.

One day while I was at work I began to feel nauseated. I thought it was just the Metformin, as it was previously the culprit. One of my co–workers told me to go downstairs to the pharmacy and get a pregnancy test. I was convinced I was not pregnant. Prior to starting the medication to start my cycle, I had blood work drawn and remembered my progesterone level being extremely low, making it impossible to be carrying a fetus. So, to appease her, I purchased a test, just knowing it would be negative. To my surprise, it wasn't.

After a year and a half of trying, I was actually pregnant. I couldn't have been more excited. After sharing this news with the fertility doctor, they immediately ordered a blood test to make sure. It was confirmed. I was 6 ½ weeks pregnant. This excitement was shared with feelings of concerns, as I had recently been taking all of this medication to "clean up my ovaries" and start my cycle. I was worried about how this would affect the baby. Much to my relief, my physician assured me the baby would be fine. July 6, 2008, we welcomed a healthy baby girl, weighing in at 5lbs 9oz and 19inches long. We were truly blessed. She was my miracle baby.

In 2010, I found myself recently divorced, raising my 2 year old daughter alone. This wasn't the plan I had for my life. I wanted to be happily married with at least 2 kids. My husband and I had been married for 5 years when we divorced. He was an only child, so having one child of his own was ideal for him. However, I grew up with 3 sisters and wanted my daughter to have that experience as well, so my husband and I compromised on having two children during our marriage. After the divorce, I felt that dream was shattered. I decided to make some changes in my life and shift my focus elsewhere. I decided to go back to school to pursue a master's degree in nursing.

By January 2013, I had been working as an ICU nurse for ten...