Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Sep 2, 2008 4:30 pm US/Central
Cancer Battle Sends Local Man To Sperm Bank
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
Cancer survivor and cyclist Lance Armstrong made the decision to 'bank' his sperm before cancer treatment. The decision resulted in three children for the Tour de France champ. Today a North Texas dad talks about why he 'banked' his sperm.
The Rogers' are a happy family of four, but the prospect of having a family was doubtful in 2003 when Scott Rogers was diagnosed with leukemia. "We talked to our doctor about it and he said if we wanted to have children we should probably take measures before I started chemotherapy," he explained.
Scott decided to store some of his sperm at a sperm bank.
J. Michael Putman, with the Texas Center for Reproductive Health, says "Anytime they are going to be subjected to a chemo that is known to cause those problems [infertility], or a radiation treatment that's going to increase those risks they should certainly think about banking."
While Scott was on the mend he and his wife Marcy decided to start a family. Their first attempt was unsuccessful, but with limited sperm left they tried again.
"It was actually on our final try. We [only] had two attempts at Invitro Fertilization," Marcy said. "It was our second attempt that we ended up getting pregnant and that was the last of our resources for fertility. So we were extremely thrilled!"
That last try produced their son Logan. Several months later, Scott had a relapse, and Marcy had an unexpected gift. "[Our daughter] Clare is called my surprise on all levels. Because I was breast feeding Logan and Scott was suppose to be sterile."
Clare is the result of Scott's sperm regenerating. Though the percentages are low, some men are able to father children naturally after cancer and that's what happened for the Rogers.
Despite a few side effects, Scott is doing well now.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
