Hate to ask but-question about fertility and RPLND

[Margaret]

Hi all...I have asked questions in the past about the chances of retrograde after my husband's RPND. Thanks so much for enduring these personal questions, I have no one else to ask.

Well, the RPLND was in early December and the new attempts to 'test to see if there is retro-grade' have shown that there IS some fluid...which I guess a good sign..better than no fluid...BUT my question is, is seeing fluid mean there is some fertility?? Sorry to be graphic, but I am wondering if fluid=sperm?? Does anyone have any experience with this and/or retro-grade? When my husband found out he had cancer, they told us that children would not be possible. I would love to prove them wrong.

Margaret

[dadmo]

Fluid doesn't mean that any sperm is involved but it's a great sign. For most people the function will return slowly. He may even have some dry days on his way back to normal.
The doctor who told you no children is misinformed. While the chemo does kill the sperm when in active treatment for most guys fertility returns. Sperm is banked as a precaution not because sterility is guaranteed.

[Already Bald]

Hi Margaret,
I have retrograde ejaculation, I am completely dry at orgasam. Lucky for me we already have two children, and weren't planning on more anyway (I'm 40 now, and I don't think medicare would cover the delivery, much less college!).
My RPLND was in June 06, and there is still no sign of fluid- but I have heard that if he takes sudifed prior to sex you may get a more normal ejaculation. I think the sudifed somehows relaxes the prostate gland and allows for normal function, at least in the short term.
But first check with your doctor if he leans towards high blood pressure.
There are also clinics that can harvest sperm from urine.

Good luck, I hope you are able to start a family.
Joe

[wolken]

Hi Margaret ,

I was in very similar situation .I also had dry ejeculation with some fluid after my RPLND but my urologist suggested tofranil (depression medication ) and it worked.My wife was pregnant one month after i started using that medication . My son is now almost 9 months old .Your doctors are wrong , there are ways to have children after cancer. Go for a second opinion .

[Margaret]

Thanks guys!! We had no time to bank being that 24 hours after we found out about the cancer he was in surgery and a short time after that chemo started. It was all so fast.

I was actually surprised, and so was my husband, that a month post RPLND we saw fluid. Now, almost 3 months later, I am seeing more fluid. I know at times he must feel like I am watching him like a hawk . The doctors, from the begining always made us feel like there was no hope for children. As they were wheeling him back for his testical removal they said...kinda as a side note...I am sure he is already sterile ...Like hearing that the cancer had spread and he would need chemo was not enough bad news for one day.

And the funny thing is that I was not even sure we were going to want another child (we have one 7 year old son) but we had been toying with the idea pre-cancer. But the moment they took my husband back for surgery I started feeling like maybe we should have had more children and I just wanted the choice.

We have talked about just living life normally and letting nature take its course. What is meant to be...is okay with us...but I am starting to feel like there is hope after reading these posts. Thanks for sharing!

M.