Ep 74: Fertility After Cancer - Navigating Parenthood & Building Hope - The Patient From Hell Podcast
In this episode of The Patient From Hell, we sit down with Mike and Megan Scherer, a couple whose journey through cancer, fertility challenges, and parenthood is nothing short of inspiring. After Mike was diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 26, they faced the daunting realities of cancer treatment and fertility preservation. Through perseverance and the help of assisted reproductive technologies, they navigated the complex road to building their family.
The Scherers also share their passion for advocacy through their non-profit organization, Worth the Wait, which provides financial assistance and support to young adult cancer survivors facing fertility struggles. Their story sheds light on the emotional, financial, and medical challenges of oncofertility, while offering hope to others on similar paths.
About Our Guests
Mike Scherer
A cancer survivor and co-founder of Worth the Wait, Mike is dedicated to helping young adult cancer survivors live fulfilling lives beyond diagnosis. Through speaking engagements, articles, and podcasts, he shares his perspective on survivorship and oncofertility with both clinical and industry audiences nationwide. When he’s not advocating for cancer awareness, Mike enjoys cycling and spending time with his family. He is also a managing partner at Summit Financial Strategies, an investment management firm.
Megan Scherer
As co-founder and executive director of Worth the Wait, Megan is a passionate patient advocate and national speaker on oncofertility. She finds fulfillment in connecting with young cancer survivors and providing hope to those facing fertility challenges. A caregiver, infertility patient, and proud mom to their son, Elliott, Megan channels her personal experiences into meaningful support for others. Before launching Worth the Wait in 2021, she held leadership roles in marketing communications within the health insurance industry.
Key Moments
29 minutes:
"We look into the eyes of our child now and we don't think, man, you were an expensive little guy. We just think, we're so fortunate to have you here and be able to raise you. When we sat down to start Worth the Wait, we said, okay, if we were able to remove that financial barrier, would you be willing to go through what is also a difficult process? And the answer was yes." - Mike Scherer
32 minutes:
"There's so many stories of AYA patients every week who are reaching out for assistance and there are people who are maxing out their credit cards to pay for [fertility treatments]. There's people I know that are selling t-shirts, that are selling popcorn, that are doing these things because this is the one thing in their life that they want to have a chance at." - Megan Scherer
38 minutes:
"You don't have time to waste and depending on the diagnosis you may have a very short window. Banking sperm takes a day but preserving eggs can take weeks, so you want to know upfront." - Megan Scherer
Manta Maps are coming! Step-by-step subway maps that guide you through the entire cancer experience. Learn more here!
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