For Everyone Touched By Cancer
Sarah had always dreamed of becoming a mother. From a young age, she imagined a future filled with children and a family of her own. But life, as it often does, took an unexpected turn. Diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) at 22, she quickly learnt that her dream would not come easily. PCOS, a hormonal disorder that affects many women, disrupted her menstrual cycle, made ovulation irregular, and, as a result, led to fertility challenges. She was told that conceiving would be difficult and might require medical intervention. Still, Sarah wasn’t prepared for the next curveball life would throw her way.
At 29, after several years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive, Sarah decided to take more drastic measures. She began fertility treatments, medications, ovulation induction, and even in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Nothing seemed to work. The emotional toll of each failed cycle was excruciating. With each passing month, Sarah’s hope for motherhood seemed to dim, but she wasn’t ready to give up yet.
But just when Sarah thought her world couldn’t be more uncertain, another devastating diagnosis rocked her life: cancer.
Sarah’s journey with PCOS had been a rollercoaster from the start. Diagnosed at 22, the signs had been unmistakable. Irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and excess hair growth, all of which are classic symptoms of PCOS. But it wasn’t until Sarah and her partner, David, began trying to conceive that she realised how deeply PCOS would impact her fertility.
The first few months of trying for a baby were hopeful. But as time went on, Sarah’s cycles remained erratic, and she struggled with ovulation issues. At first, she thought it was just bad luck, but after a year of trying, she saw a fertility specialist. Tests confirmed what she had already suspected: her ovulation was inconsistent, and her hormone levels were out of balance.
Her doctor explained that PCOS could make it difficult for her to get pregnant without medical help. The news was devastating but not entirely unexpected. Sarah had heard of women with PCOS facing similar struggles, but the reality of it hit her hard. IVF was recommended, and though she knew it was her best chance, it didn’t make the process any easier.
Over the next few years, Sarah and David spent countless hours at fertility clinics. Medications, injections, blood tests, and ultrasounds became part of their routine. Despite all the effort, there were no positive results. Every failed cycle was a blow to Sarah’s confidence, and each disappointment took a toll on her mental and emotional well-being.
But Sarah’s resolve remained. She wasn’t ready to give up. She clung to the hope that one day, she would hold a baby in her arms.
After several unsuccessful rounds of IVF, Sarah began to notice something that alarmed her—unusual pain in her abdomen and unexplained weight loss. She tried to brush it off, attributing it to stress or perhaps side effects of her fertility treatments. But when the pain grew more persistent, Sarah decided to see her doctor.
An ultrasound revealed something she hadn’t expected: a mass in her ovaries. The doctor didn’t mince words. After a series of tests and a biopsy, Sarah was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a rare and aggressive form. She was stunned. The news felt like the ground had been ripped out from under her. Cancer was the last thing she had ever imagined, especially after spending years struggling to conceive. The idea of fertility seemed so far out of reach now, overshadowed by the terrifying prospect of cancer treatment.
Her doctor recommended immediate surgery and chemotherapy. But the oncologist also spoke candidly about the impact cancer treatments would have on her fertility. Given the aggressiveness of the cancer, Sarah’s chances of becoming pregnant in the future were slim. She felt like her dream of having a family had just evaporated in an instant.
Yet, in the midst of all the bad news, a small but important question arose: was there any possibility of preserving her fertility before starting cancer treatment?
The answer was complicated. In her case, the chances of success were unclear due to her PCOS and the advanced stage of the cancer. But her oncologist, in collaboration with her fertility specialist, presented Sarah with a difficult choice: freeze her eggs before starting cancer treatment, or move forward with the aggressive treatment and hope for the best. Though it seemed impossible, Sarah decided to try one more time for her dream of motherhood. She agreed to undergo egg retrieval before starting chemotherapy.
The process was physically and emotionally draining. After the procedure, Sarah began her first round of chemotherapy. As she sat in the infusion chair, her thoughts were scattered. She wondered if she had made the right decision. Would it even matter? Could she ever really be a mother now?
As the months passed, Sarah’s experience with cancer treatment was gruelling. Chemotherapy left her weak and fatigued, and the emotional toll was overwhelming. Her hair fell out in clumps, and her once-vibrant body seemed to wither under the strain of treatment. But through it all, she clung to one small hope: the eggs she had frozen before treatment.
However, in the midst of this physical and emotional struggle, Sarah noticed something strange: she had missed her period. She thought nothing of it at first, attributing it to the stress of cancer treatment. But when she began feeling nauseous in the mornings and her breasts became tender, she began to wonder if there was more to it.
A quick pregnancy test confirmed her suspicions; she was pregnant.
Sarah couldn’t believe it. The doctor was equally surprised. Given her cancer treatments, her PCOS, and the years of infertility, a natural pregnancy seemed nearly impossible. But there it was, a tiny miracle growing inside her.
The pregnancy was confirmed through blood tests and ultrasounds. Her doctors were cautious but optimistic. They had never seen anything quite like it. Despite the cancer diagnosis and the chemotherapy, Sarah had conceived naturally, a miracle that defied all the odds.
Managing Sarah’s cancer treatment while ensuring the safety of her pregnancy was an extraordinary challenge.
Her oncologists and obstetricians worked closely together to create a treatment plan that would minimise risks to the baby while still treating cancer effectively.
Because of the nature of her pregnancy and the potential harm chemotherapy could do to the developing fetus, Sarah’s doctors adjusted her treatment plan. They delayed certain treatments and made adjustments to others, carefully balancing the needs of her body and her baby. The pregnancy wasn’t without its risks, but the doctors were hopeful that Sarah could carry her child to term.
Sarah found herself on an emotional rollercoaster. She feared that the cancer would return stronger after chemotherapy or that the pregnancy would end in miscarriage. She worried constantly about the health of her baby and whether she was doing enough to protect it. But she had no choice but to keep going, relying on her medical team and the love and support of David.
After months of anxiety, Sarah finally reached the end of her pregnancy. With the help of a skilled team of doctors, she successfully delivered a healthy baby girl. The joy Sarah felt holding her daughter for the first time was indescribable, a culmination of years of pain, fear, and uncertainty.
In the weeks following her daughter’s birth, Sarah reflected on her incredible journey. From struggling with infertility and PCOS to facing a cancer diagnosis that threatened to take away her dream of motherhood, to unexpectedly finding herself pregnant amidst it all, Sarah’s story was one of resilience and hope. The miracle of her pregnancy was a reminder that sometimes, life has a way of surprising us with blessings when we least expect them.
Sarah’s journey taught her many things. She learnt to never give up, even when faced with insurmountable odds. She learnt the value of hope, even in the darkest moments. And most of all, she learnt that miracles can happen, even when the path seems impossible.
For women facing infertility, cancer, or both, Sarah’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, medical innovation, and the strength of the human spirit. Through her struggles, she found not only the family she had always dreamed of but also a deep appreciation for the unpredictable beauty of life.
And among the many stories of hope and struggle that we, as embryologists, hear day in and day out, Sarah’s is the one we often share in our coffee room. It’s the one that never fails to brighten our day, the one that reminds us of why we do what we do.
In those quiet moments between patient consultations and lab work, Sarah’s story is the one that brings a smile to our faces, the most joyous ending, the one that keeps us all going. It’s the kind of miracle we all hope to be a part of.
Edited by: Katheeja Imani
Fatemah graduated with a Master's degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine from the University of South Wales, UK. Her research during her BSc focused on Brucellosis, where she earned top honors at her university for her work. During her MSc, she conducted research on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), further developing her expertise in reproductive health.
After gaining four years of experience in the IVF laboratory as a Senior Andrologist and Trainee Embryologist, Fatemah transitioned into veterinary services, working with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia as a Laboratory Assistant. During this time, Fatemah contributed to the care and medical reporting of racehorses and attended international horse auctions. Fatemah also worked closely with veterinarians in the medical care of horses during the Riyadh Racing Season.
Fatemah combines a deep passion for reproductive medicine with equine health and welfare expertise and is now a volunteer Female Cancer Correspondent at Cancer Care Parcel.
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