Hi all,
I am looking for some advice. I'm 29, male, in the UK.
I desperately want a child, but due to issues beyond my control I can't. I sort of guessed I could never have children over the years. I've had two long term relationships and in both of those I've never used a condom. Neither of my partners have conceived.
But, I was told the news last August. I was diagnosed with Testicle Cancer, and during the treatment processes they wanted to test my fertility to decide whether or not I wanted to store some sperm before they removed the testicle. I was told that I had a sperm count of 0.
I've been with my current partner for 5 years, and we've discussed children over the years but settled on "now is not the right time". But now we both feel the time is right.
I believe adoption is out of the question. I have a criminal record. I was the guy that hacked the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in 2012 and got a lengthy prison sentence for it. The criminal record + the nature of the offence is not going to go in my favour.
There's also the fact I have a history of mental health. Don't worry, it's nothing bad, I've just suffered with anxiety since I was 13, and depression when I was 17. I've self harmed in the past. All this would be on record of course, which I feel would be another negative strike on my part.
So right now I do not know what options I have to father a child.
I have raised my girlfriend's 6 year old boy as my own since he was about 8 months old. I see him as my own child, and he gets treated like my own child. I love him to bits.
Not being able to have a child is a horrible feeling. I think Karma has decided maybe I shouldn't have children of my own. It hurts.
I played snooker with my Dad today and the topic got raised, and he said if he had sperm he'd help me out. But, he's also been though bladder Cancer, and he feels the treatment could have had damaged his ability to produce healthy sperm. He's also potentially facing another bout of Cancer, he's currently waiting for another biopsy on a tumour they found.
It's a real kick in the balls (or ball in my case) to be facing a life without ever fathering a child. Upsetting almost.
I know I've made mistakes in the past, but my ability to raise a child, and the love I could give to my own child can't even be put into words.
I would like to hear from others who have any useful advice to share, and what options I have from here. I think the first port of call is a doctors appointment for us both, but I've heard the waiting lists are so long it can take years.
I am looking for some advice. I'm 29, male, in the UK.
I desperately want a child, but due to issues beyond my control I can't. I sort of guessed I could never have children over the years. I've had two long term relationships and in both of those I've never used a condom. Neither of my partners have conceived.
But, I was told the news last August. I was diagnosed with Testicle Cancer, and during the treatment processes they wanted to test my fertility to decide whether or not I wanted to store some sperm before they removed the testicle. I was told that I had a sperm count of 0.
I've been with my current partner for 5 years, and we've discussed children over the years but settled on "now is not the right time". But now we both feel the time is right.
I believe adoption is out of the question. I have a criminal record. I was the guy that hacked the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in 2012 and got a lengthy prison sentence for it. The criminal record + the nature of the offence is not going to go in my favour.
There's also the fact I have a history of mental health. Don't worry, it's nothing bad, I've just suffered with anxiety since I was 13, and depression when I was 17. I've self harmed in the past. All this would be on record of course, which I feel would be another negative strike on my part.
So right now I do not know what options I have to father a child.
I have raised my girlfriend's 6 year old boy as my own since he was about 8 months old. I see him as my own child, and he gets treated like my own child. I love him to bits.
Not being able to have a child is a horrible feeling. I think Karma has decided maybe I shouldn't have children of my own. It hurts.
I played snooker with my Dad today and the topic got raised, and he said if he had sperm he'd help me out. But, he's also been though bladder Cancer, and he feels the treatment could have had damaged his ability to produce healthy sperm. He's also potentially facing another bout of Cancer, he's currently waiting for another biopsy on a tumour they found.
It's a real kick in the balls (or ball in my case) to be facing a life without ever fathering a child. Upsetting almost.
I know I've made mistakes in the past, but my ability to raise a child, and the love I could give to my own child can't even be put into words.
I would like to hear from others who have any useful advice to share, and what options I have from here. I think the first port of call is a doctors appointment for us both, but I've heard the waiting lists are so long it can take years.
