Skip to main content

Patient Consent to Sperm Cryopreservation and Storage USF IVF

One of the first things that happened with the diagnosis, transfer to chemo floor and impending first treatment was the discussion of one of the side effects of the chemo Mathew would receive. That was sterility. A program was set up where sperm (and I assume ova for women) could be harvested and saved so once a cancer patient has been cured, they can still start a family one day.

Mathew had always wanted his own family and I always saw him as settling down, getting married and having children. 
So, the paperwork was provided.

At that time, it was $100 for analysis after drop off, which had to be no more than 60 minutes after collection.  Arpie, Diane and I had worked out the logistics. It was a bit of a drive and traffic could be an issue.

Then, the sperm was stored by cryopreservation.

Mathew filled out paperwork appointing me as the designee to decide the disposition of any frozen sperm if Mathew should die.

I didn’t  have the money to make the first payment, so Arpie and Diane did.
The first years' storage payment, well, we figured we would worry about that later.

Unfortunately, because of the tumor and edema, Mathew was unable to provide a sample. It was a very depressing day for him.


There would be another chance later. That would be a very depressing day for me.

 ****Update to this post, on 4/3/2018
Yesterday I found a poem Mathew wrote about this time. The blog link is here.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Replace the 3 Lumen Pic Line with a Port

Mathew's 3 Lumen Pic Line was replaced with a Power P.A.C. Both Mathew and I were given Medical I.D. cards to carry at all times. I have mentioned before that texting from the DRC is almost impossible. The staff told me it used to be the X-ray department so the walls are leaded. Again, the phone tree would have helped so much. I texted the following information to my niece, my sister and Mathew’s Dad and Stepmom. And probably Joseph and Carlos. I know that could have been reduced to two texts, three at the most. At the time  I didn’t know about group messaging as my phone was an old Android. Texts Between me and Diane Hi. We are at the hospital early because Mat is in a lot of pain.  We think the bill stent may have moved. Sent 3-31-14 Because he was NPO for other  procedure they should be able to fix today. Sent 3-31-14 In the DRC sending texts is almost impossible so if you don’t hear from me for a while don’t worry. If ...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Cancer Poem by Mathew Rodgers 2014

From Mathew’s Journal 4-5-14 “I lie awake in my pain bed metallic noises chirping from my strange computer  companion”
Post a Comment
Read more

Hair Loss After Chemo for Sarcoma, My Son's Point of View

I can't imagine or pretend to know how it feels to lose your hair because you have cancer and the chemo causes your hair to fall out.  I only know what I saw with Mathew and years ago, my sister Elizabeth's experience as they lost their hair to chemotherapy. But it was something that affected Mathew more than just the initial hair loss, it had nuances. Here is a journal entry. It's short but I think it speaks volumes. MATHEW’S JOURNAL     5-23-14 Lately, I’ve been envious of people’s hair. Well, I guess not envious of other people’s hair but missing mine. I told my Mom about it and expressed to her that I was afraid I was falling prey to vanity. She expressed the idea that I may be missing having hair because it’s part of being healthy. I do miss having a life and at the same time, I’m afraid that I may never have a full life again or that I may lose what’s left of the one I have. -  I’ve been thinking about dying a lot lately. I don’t know wh...
Post a Comment
Read more