I decided that I would start to address some frequently asked questions. So, if you have a question feel free to ask! You can either email it to me or leave it in a comment on here. Come on don't be shy. Don't worry, you won't offend me. You can ask anything, doesn't mean I'll answer it though. Ok so for my 1st FAQ:
Will we still be able to have kids?
Hm, tough one. The actual procedures themselves will not affect my reproductive organs. There is, however, a statistic out there that after an Illeoanal Reservoir you are 30% more likely to have fertility issues. But (and now for the real kicker). . . FAP is a genetic disease. If I were to have a child, my child would have a 50% chance of having FAP.
Now for a slight glimmer of hope. In vitro fertilization. Through IVF they are now able to do PGD (pre-implantation genetic testing) . They can test the embryos for the FAP gene and then only implant the embryos without the gene. But (again another big but here) approximately 20% of people with FAP do not test positive for the gene. That means that we could go through all this and still implant an embryo that had FAP.
So, with that said it all a huge crap shoot. As to what Scott and I
might do. . . We don't know. We would have to wait at least one year after my last surgery before even beginning to try, so we have some time to think about it.
As for the pictures in todays post, they are from The Fourth. Since the fireworks on the lake aren't quite so speculator anymore, my cousins and I created our own fireworks display. With glowsticks. Its good to be able to entertain yourself.
8 comments:
Dear Steph:
Since I have started to read your blogs I can't decide if you should be a journalist or a photographer. After much thought my decision is to be your backer for your own magazine. You have more talent than what is in Cosmo, Lucky, Style, Woman's Day, Seventeen, etc., etc.
Love, Love, Mimi
Hi Stephanie,
I just found your blog today and wanted to send good vibes your way. I was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer and found to have hnpcc (the *other* colon cancer gene!) in September of 2006. I went through a partial colectomy and chemo. And yeah, it sucked. Just make sure to pay attention to your body. And make sure while you keep the fighting spirit strong, you also allow yourself to be human. No better excuse for being a crankypants than this, right?
So fight on and know that you will discover strength you never knew you had.
And, there is always the option of adoption for creating a wonderful family experience. That's what we did - though our decision was unrelated to colon cancer treatments.
Thanks for sharing on your blog!
I agree with Mimi!
i was wondering the answer to this question as well! thanks for answering. love the glowstick pix!
I agree with Mimi.
Other options for a family also include embryo adoption/donor (experience pregnancy but don't pass on your genes) or IVF with donor eggs, so your husband would have a genetic connection, but no chance of you passing on the gene.
Lots of time to think of those things in the future though.
Steph:
Your compositions and blend of humor continue to amaze me. This talent combined with your class "A" personality point to a bright future.
Love you,
Pup
I'm curious - you mentioned you have to wait 1 year after your last surgery to begin trying. Did your doctor tell you that? I have been looking for information on all of this as it is a major concern for my husband and me. Are you haveing your procedure done laparoscopically? The studies aren't in yet but its probable that since there is less scar tissue there is less chance of not being able to have children becuase of this procedure.
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