Skip to main content

NAVIGATING THE PATH TO PARENTHOOD POST-CANCER THROUGH SURROGACY



Various circumstances compel people to choose surrogacy as a path to parenthood. This includes same-sex couples unable to conceive biologically, those grappling with infertility, singles desirous of a biological child but lack a partner, or individuals with medical conditions, such as a history of cancer, preventing natural conception. 


Various offices around cities like Boston, San Francisco, and New York engage with numerous intended parents who, having journeyed through cancer, have embraced surrogacy as a means to start a family. Over time, the comprehensive programs offered to intended parents have facilitated the joy of parenthood for numerous individuals contemplating parenthood post-cancer.


Often, inquiries about parenting via surrogacy post-cancer are received. Emily Williams, a cancer survivor and a parent through surrogacy, graciously shares her personal journey to guide others. 


THE SURROGACY EXCURSION POST-CANCER


Emily Williams, Outreach Associate to Parents


At 26, my life was set. I was self-dependent, secure, and loved my job as a youth counselor. I had my apartment and was preparing to move in with my boyfriend. Then, a routine trip to the gynecologist changed everything.


Hearing the words, “you have cancer,” provided more shock than clarity. Terms such as prognosis, oncologist, surgery, treatment, and chemo filled my life, which once felt steady, now stood on shaky grounds. Forced choices on my treatment course chipped away at my sense of self, leaving behind an unfamiliar persona - a cancer patient. 


My oncologists were resolute on eradicating the cancer as swiftly as possible. With ovarian cancer, the recommended course of action was a complete hysterectomy. Being young and single, I barely had considered motherhood. But the reality of losing my fertility dawned on me, and I urged doctors to do their best to retain it.


After three surgeries and six rounds of chemotherapy over seven months, I surfaced, but not without the scars. The treatment cancer robbed me of my hair and induced menopause, leaving me feeling decades older. Although I survived, it came at the cost of my fertility. 


As the years passed since my diagnosis and fear lessened, I allowed myself to envision a meaningful future. My boyfriend and I married in 2005, and we decided to explore the possibilities of growing our family. Consulting with advocates at organizations like Stupid Cancer and my oncologist, we explored surrogacy and adoption, quickly realizing surrogacy was our preferred path.


Emily regularly counsels fellow cancer survivors considering surrogacy as their route to parenthood. Here are answers to frequently asked questions on parenthood post-cancer diagnosis.





BEGINNING THE SURROGACY PROCESS DURING CANCER TREATMENT - IS IT POSSIBLE?


The health of the intended parent is paramount while embarking on a surrogacy journey. To ensure this, we recommend beginning the surrogacy process only after active treatment, ensuring you can focus solely on your recuperation. While managing your health during surrogacy could be overwhelming, we're always accessible for those keen on surrogacy but still undergoing treatment. Our experienced team comprises social workers and cancer-surviving parents through surrogacy who can guide when ready.


DO WE HAVE RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS INTENDING SURROGACY POST-CANCER?


With team members who've personally experienced the surrogacy process, we offer unparalleled insights on surrogacy after battling cancer. Aiming to inform, lead, and guide through your surrogacy journey, our diverse experiences enable us to understand and relate to the challenges of cancer survivors more closely.


GRANTS OR SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR SURROGACY POST-CANCER – DO THEY EXIST?


It's true. Surrogacy is an expensive process, and the financial burden can be eased through loans, support from loved ones, or grants designed for cancer survivors. Consider exploring crowdfunding platforms as an additional option. 


WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE PLANNING A FAMILY WITH A CANCER SURVIVOR?


Every individual, notwithstanding their medical or personal background, deserves the joy of parenthood – this principle lays the foundation of our work. Proudly supporting cancer survivors on their path to parenthood, we encourage only initiating the surrogacy process post-treatment. Personal experiences of our staff, who are cancer survivors and parents via surrogacy, will vouch for the gratifying journey of welcoming a newborn post-cancer treatment. Livestrong could provide further insights on various parenthood options for cancer survivors.


FOR SOMEONE INTERESTED IN SURROGACY POST-CANCER, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?


Reach out to our dedicated team for more information about our personalized family planning services and resources. If you're interested in exploring parenthood post-cancer through surrogacy, we're ready to guide you at every step.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Misconception: Same-sex couples face more legal hurdles in surrogacy than heterosexual couples.

Introduction It was a cold December morning when Maria handed over the newborn baby to the eagerly waiting couple, Joe and Sam. This was not Maria’s own child; she was a surrogate, and the parents were not the conventional couple you might envision. Joe and Sam were a loving, committed same-sex couple. They had turned to surrogacy under the weighty burden of a misleading perception, that as a same-sex couple, adoption would be a legal maze, much more onerous than for heterosexual counterparts. Context and Background This anecdote captures the dilemma faced by many same-sex couples who want to start a family. Joe and Sam, like many others, had set sail in the sea of surrogacy, driven by a widely held notion that same-sex couples face more substantial legal barriers in surrogacy than heterosexual couples. However, does this conventional wisdom hold water when we delve into solid research and hear from the experts? For a start, let's rewind a bit and clarify what we mean by surrogacy....
Post a Comment
Read more

Misconception: Surrogates face long-term psychological trauma post-delivery.

Nancy, a soft-spoken woman in her mid-thirties from California, recently made an unusual gift, one that some might consider the greatest gift of all - she gave birth to a child for a couple she barely knew. She was a gestational surrogate. Nancy was carefully screened, her psychological and physical wellbeing scrutinized before she was declared fit. A few months after the delivery, she met me for coffee: radiant, genial, and exhibiting no signs of distress, tearing the age-old tapestry of psychological trauma associated with surrogacy. Our meeting set the stage for a deeper inquiry into the commonly perceived notion: A surrogate mother is destined to suffer long-term psychological trauma post-delivery. But data and research suggest the narrative might not run that dark and deep. A growing number of women, like Nancy, are venturing into surrogacy arrangements, opening their bodies and lives to create families for others. The public narrative - often spurred by dramatic film portrayals a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Misconception: Intended parents have no say in the prenatal care of the surrogate.

Once upon a time, nestled in the heart of New York City, a young couple sat anxiously in a plush, carpeted waiting room. Samantha gripped her husband Jake’s hand, her eyes oscillating between the ticking clock and the closed office door. They were about to step into an uncharted territory – surrogacy. But a thought bubble above their heads carried the same unnerving question - Do intended parents have any say in the prenatal care of the surrogate? This overarching question has been a source of worry for many prospective intended parents. Conventional wisdom has fostered an erroneous belief that intended parents find themselves on the sidelines, watching passively without having any say in prenatal care once they choose to walk the path of surrogacy. However, the reality is far more nuanced, and the narrative much more empowering. Digging deeper into this myth, we discovered an intriguing plethora of data from a slew of studies and legal documents across many countries. One particular s...
Post a Comment
Read more