Katherine Gordon tells us how after one year of having no oocyte activity due to chemotherapy, everything had come back to life and five years later she gave birth to her son. Katherine Gordon (39) lives in Douglasdale, Gauteng with her husband, Alon, and their two-year-old son, Joshua. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) At age 32, Katherine was diagnosed with AML. The diagnosis came about after she collapsed when running The Comrades Marathon in 2014. “I’ve always had low iron, so I thought that was the root. I saw a dietitian to get assistance both for the future of my running and because we wanted to start a…
We learn more about why embryologists are essential in assisted reproduction technology and the patient fertility journey. What is an embryologist? Embryologists are laboratory scientists who are qualified in handling and manipulating human gametes for the sole purpose of establishing pregnancy using assisted reproductive technologies. We work predominantly behind the scenes; however, our work significantly contributes to the overall patient fertility journey. Beginning at diagnostics, an embryologist performs an array of sperm tests that will allow for the fertility specialist to determine the possible cause for infertility and prospective treatment. During therapeutic treatment, the team of embryologists will be designated to various…
We hear how 18-year-old Lucy* underwent fertility preservation after being diagnosed with dysgerminoma of the right ovary when she was 15, under the advice of her mother. Lucy (18) stays in Johannesburg, Gauteng with her parents. She is currently in her Matric year. Dysgerminoma of the right ovary In July 2019, 15-year-old Lucy noticing a swelling in her stomach. She thought she was bloated but by September it was even more swollen and getting bigger. Lucy’s mom took her to a GP as they thought maybe her appendix was inflamed. The GP agreed saying it could be the appendix and referred her to another doctor. “This doctor told me I was pregnant. I was so confused as…
Halalisiwe Khumalo shares her intimate journey of having two unsuccessful in vitro fertilisation attempts and how she still longs to be a mother. Halalisiwe Khumalo (37) lives in Lephalale, Limpopo with her husband. Hodgkin’s lymphoma In June 2019, Halalisiwe felt a lump in her neck. “It wasn’t painful but it also wasn’t going away so I went to the doctor. He was quick to refer me for a biopsy. The result came back as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I was devasted, cancer was all foreign to me; there is no family history of it. I was in complete denial and wanted to go for a…
Kevin and Donna Dudley’s nine years of marriage has been filled with an ectopic pregnancy, fertility difficulties, and a cancer diagnosis. Yet, they have three gorgeous children. Kevin (43) and Donna Dudley (38) live in Gauteng with their three children: Dylan (6), Leila (3) and Mathew (1). Ectopic pregnancy Donna had an unfortunate ectopic pregnancy in 2014. “It was quite scary as the doctor had missed it. She unfortunately ruptured and started bleeding internally, causing her to lose her right fallopian tube. After Donna lost her right fallopian tube, we had to go on a series of treatments and have numerous scans,” Kevin…
Genetic counsellor, Kelly Loggenberg, explains the two different types of genetic testing of embryos. Genetic testing of embryos created through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), also known as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), is the testing of early stage embryos for genetic abnormalities prior to considering them for transfer into the womb. PGT is comprised of two different tests, Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) and Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders (PGT-M). PGT-A This test screens embryos created through IVF to determine if the correct amount of genetic material (chromosomes) is present. Typically, an individual has 23 pairs of chromosomes, or 46 chromosomes in total in most cells of the…
Jody Treger tells us how she and her husband, Ari, froze embryos before she started cancer treatment to ensure their baby daughter will have a sibling in the future. Jody Treger (35) lives in Gauteng with her husband, Ari, and their 8-month baby girl. Found breast lump in last trimester Jody was in her last trimester when she found a lump in her breast. “I was advised at the time not to worry about it until after I gave birth. Our beautiful daughter was born in February this year and naturally life was consumed by this incredible tiny human, lack of sleep and general survival. I…
Medical oncologist, Dr Ronwyn van Eeden, highlights the growing need for fertility preservation in young patients with cancer. Of late, there has been an increase in the number of patients under the age of 49 being treated for cancer; it’s estimated that more than 20 000 are diagnosed annually. The efficacy of cancer treatments has also improved with time, and the possibility of long-term survival and cure is an attainable goal, along with good quality of life. Cancer treatments, however, can affect ovarian function and can cause abnormal semen parameters. It can also cause hormonal balances or functional changes to reproductive organs…
It is with great avidity that SASREG launched The Oncofertility Forum Special Interest Group and hosted the first live webinar on Fertility Treatment Options Currently Available to Oncology Patients, which was sponsored by Ferring. Oncofertility is the bridge that connects the fields of oncology and fertility, allowing cancer patients, male and female alike, the opportunity to preserve their fertility for the future. Thanks to the efforts of SASREG and interested Oncologists, the field of Oncofertility has gained traction in South Africa in recent years. However, in comparison to some other globally established Oncofertility protocols and communication, it can still be seen as the new…
Many oncology treatments may affect women’s fertility and ability to have children in the future. Thankfully, there are many options available to preserve the eggs in the ovaries before you start your oncology treatment. Dr Lizle Oosthuizen explains further. There are many strategies to limit the damage on the ovaries, such as surgically lifting them out of the area of radiation or using shields. Your doctor may recommend taking, a GnRH agonist, to ‘shut down’ the ovaries during treatment and try to protect them. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been shown to improve future fertility and shouldn’t be relied on alone. …
Saskia Williams shares the ongoing battle to get medical aids to pay for fertility treatment and the success with Discovery. About IFAASA The Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa (IFAASA) was started by 10 ladies in November 2013. IFAASA is a non-profit company run by volunteers, relying on sponsorship to fund projects. The aim is to educate the public about infertility, to break the silence and stigma surrounding infertility, and to advocate for fair cover from medical aids. When we came together in 2013, a motion was put forward at Discovery’s AGM that same year, asking them to cover infertility. Infertility is…
Dr Lizle Oosthuizen expands on the current options of safeguarding sperm before testicular cancer treatment and answers beneficial questions. All treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) can affect the ability of the testicle to produce sperm in the future. The options for sperm preservation depend on factors, such as age and current state of health, but time until treatment shouldn’t prevent access to options. Cryopreservation of ejaculated sperm The most common method for men and boys who have gone through puberty is to produce a sperm sample by masturbation. Although we recommend a period of 2-5 days between produced samples, they can be…
