Sasha's Story

My name is Sasha and this is my story: I am 34 years old, I am a support worker for people with disabilities at House With No Steps, I volunteer at a women’s refuge on Xmas morning.

I first started trying to conceive in 2004, 10 years later and im still trying. In April 2010 my GP discovered a 10cm tumor growing on my adrenal gland, because of its size the doctors wanted to remove the tumour first before they did a biopsy. In May 2010 I had major surgery to remove the tumor and my adrenal gland and found out a few weeks later that it was infact malignant. It was a slow growing tumour and it was estimated by the doctors that it had been growing for 6 – 10 years, with my body. I was then put on an oral chemotherapy (mitotane) as a precaution as it was in a position where it is likely to grow back. I had to continue chemo for a minimum of two years and refrain from trying to fall pregnant. I was told if I fell pregnant while on chemo they would be forced to terminate due to the complications that could arise. Mitotane was a new drug that had to be imported from America for me so there was little to no information regarding side effects or whether it would affect my chances of conceiving once I had finished chemo. I currently have scans every 6 months to make sure it is not growing back and also see my oncologist Dr Hill every 6 months.

I saw Dr Kee Ong at Monash IVF in Southport last year who advised me that my blood tests had shown that when I ovulate, I’m only producing 3% so IVF is my only option. I have been advised that all options for me to concieve naturally are next to none and that I probably will not be able to have children.  I will not accept this until I have tried EVERYTHING.  Dr Ong advised me that if I wanted to do IVF that I would need to do it in the next 12 months (that was 12months ago now).  They want to do a full hysterectamy.

I was in a long distance relationship for almost 2 years (him in America and me in Australia) and was hoping he would be here with me to go through this process together, however we split up recently so I am now going through this process alone. There is a new bulk billing service available in Australia that significantly cut the cost of IVF, however, this service only helps couples, not single people needing to use a donor program. My time is running out, although im only 34, due to chemo, my body inside is much older. I would be grateful to have the opportunity to have just 1 child. To experience pregnancy and everything that comes with it. I think it is an amazing thing to experience and would appreciate the opportunity to raise a happy, loved and blessed little one.