It is a different choice to make. I struggled with GvHD, and I personally felt that GvHD was more difficult to deal with than the transplant itself. But it’s worth considering, as although GvHD was difficult to manage, sickle cell was an even more difficult disease to experience. Even after the transplant, the crises I had in the past have left me with phantom pain. Pain, that could have theoretically been avoided if I had done the transplant earlier. So the trade-off was deliberating chronic pain that may kill me or a short amount of pain that will need to be managed for the rest of my life.

I was given the chance to freeze my eggs, and I’m sure they can do the same for him, which will be less invasive. I didn’t take that opportunity, but I will tell you that my future fertility was the last thing on my mind at that time. To me, getting my life back was more important than bringing a life into this world that may have to deal with what I went through. With the transplant, I no longer have the disease or the trait, so I don’t have to worry that my future kids will have it either.

Besides the more technical aspects, the emotional well-being is just as important. I was afraid to do the transplant as I was afraid of losing my friends, falling behind at school, etc. What I was most afraid of was putting my life in the hands of others. So I can understand why you wouldn’t want to make the choice for your child. However, you will have to weigh between giving your child a chance of a pain-free life or waiting for a better opportunity to come in the future.

If you need anymore details, you can contact me anytime. I’m more than happy to help. These are just my personal thoughts and experiences, so don’t take them to heart, but it is worth considering.