Foster Parenting- foster to adopt - after Cancer

butterflyxlife · 11-22-2008, 06:08 AM

I am 24 years old- my husband and I have been married for 4 1/2 years, we've been together for 7 1/2 years. When I was 22 I was diagnosed with leukemia- it went into remission with only chemotherapy but came back in March of this year and I had a bone marrow transplant on July 16th. Obviously we aren't going to be applying to be foster parents tomorrow LOL- but on a serious note.. is there any way (in your honest opinion) that they will allow us to foster or foster to adopt with my history of cancer? And if they will... how long would be appropriate to wait after full recovery in order to begin pursuing this?

I have wanted to adopt since I was a young child, I've always known that I would not be able to concieve or carry a child- and surprise surprise that's the way it turned out and I am ok with that *now*... but am also scared to death that my past diagnosis will make it so we can't adopt or foster either :///

nala301 · 11-22-2008, 08:09 AM

I came across your post and wanted to send you some

. I'm sorry you've had to deal with cancer twice. Once is bad enough! I hope your prognosis looks good and you are feeling well.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2006. I finished treatment in July of that same year. In July of 2007 we started the domestic adoption process, and in December of 2007 we adopted DD. Through the entire process, our social worker and agency was wonderful. They didn't have any problems with my cancer history. I just needed to get a form signed by my oncologist that stated I was mentally and physically able to care for a child. However, it was a domestic adoption, not foster-adopt. Hopefully someone can give you some more info on fostering.

Come visit us on the Cancer support board if you would like to. We have a variety of women there who have dealt with cancer and adoption..not necessarily adoption after cancer, but we still understand the challenges of both.

ETA: Here's the cancer board if you are interested.
http://www3.fertilethoughts.com/foru...play.php?f=270

PenelopeB · 01-11-2009, 10:52 AM

Hi there,
I am a breast cancer survivor. I started the adoption process only one year after diagnosis. We are doing domestic adoption, it seems to be the best option for a cancer survivor, IMHO. I found that international adoption is harder to do with a cancer history, several countries have policies against cancer survivors, like you must be5+ years from treatment, or 10+ years. Domestic adoption with a cancer history is really up to the agency. Lots of agencies are okay with it, like the one we chose. Just like ElatedMom said, you have to have a letter from your oncologist saying that you have a normal life expectancy and are currently cancer-free. I don't know how it is with fostercare, it might really be up to the country that you are working with. I visit the cancerboard in the community forum that Nala mentioned. Let's keep in touch and get through this together!
P

HopesPromise · 01-11-2009, 11:24 AM

I hope you do not feel alone.

Just in this thread, there are cancer survivors that are here to help you. I think in our state, you would need a medical clearance and then be able to provide a plan if (God forbid) you became ill again....like who would be guardians, provide care, etc.

Please keep us posted.

survivor · 02-09-2009, 04:25 PM

Hi. i realize your post is a little old, so maybe you have your answers by now.

i am a leukemia survivor as well, and 11 years post BMT, and am a licensed foster-to-adopt parent in my state. as previous posts said, usually you just need a physical completed by your doctor and a letter stating you are healthy enough to parent. That's all i needed. Honestly, most states are so desperate for good foster parents they should not have a problem accepting you based on medical history. i don't think there is a specific time you have to wait, as long as your doctor will put in a good word for you.

we have foster parented one child so far, an adorable 1 year old girl. she was just reunited with her dad last week - hard for us to say good bye but we are so happy we got to have her in our family for 10 months!

good luck to you...

11-22-2008, 06:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
butterflyxlife Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2	Foster Parenting- foster to adopt - after Cancer I am 24 years old- my husband and I have been married for 4 1/2 years, we've been together for 7 1/2 years. When I was 22 I was diagnosed with leukemia- it went into remission with only chemotherapy but came back in March of this year and I had a bone marrow transplant on July 16th. Obviously we aren't going to be applying to be foster parents tomorrow LOL- but on a serious note.. is there any way (in your honest opinion) that they will allow us to foster or foster to adopt with my history of cancer? And if they will... how long would be appropriate to wait after full recovery in order to begin pursuing this? I have wanted to adopt since I was a young child, I've always known that I would not be able to concieve or carry a child- and surprise surprise that's the way it turned out and I am ok with that now... but am also scared to death that my past diagnosis will make it so we can't adopt or foster either :///

11-22-2008, 08:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
nala301 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,525 Blog Entries: 1	child men't I came across your post and wanted to send you some . I'm sorry you've had to deal with cancer twice. Once is bad enough! I hope your prognosis looks good and you are feeling well. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2006. I finished treatment in July of that same year. In July of 2007 we started the domestic adoption process, and in December of 2007 we adopted DD. Through the entire process, our social worker and agency was wonderful. They didn't have any problems with my cancer history. I just needed to get a form signed by my oncologist that stated I was mentally and physically able to care for a child. However, it was a domestic adoption, not foster-adopt. Hopefully someone can give you some more info on fostering. Come visit us on the Cancer support board if you would like to. We have a variety of women there who have dealt with cancer and adoption..not necessarily adoption after cancer, but we still understand the challenges of both. ETA: Here's the cancer board if you are interested. http://www3.fertilethoughts.com/foru...play.php?f=270 __________________ ~Nala Breast cancer survivor! Matthew David 8/23/05-11/7/05-our beloved little man K.M.-12/16/07 waiting for #3 bmom edd 4/3/10-here we go again! Last edited by nala301; 11-22-2008 at 08:12 AM.

01-11-2009, 11:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
HopesPromise 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: May 2003 Location: NY Posts: 12,253	I hope you do not feel alone. Just in this thread, there are cancer survivors that are here to help you. I think in our state, you would need a medical clearance and then be able to provide a plan if (God forbid) you became ill again....like who would be guardians, provide care, etc. Please keep us posted. __________________ Peggy Jeff Princess Cora 5 years old (miracle of domestic adoption)

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01-11-2009, 10:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
PenelopeB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 37	Hi there, I am a breast cancer survivor. I started the adoption process only one year after diagnosis. We are doing domestic adoption, it seems to be the best option for a cancer survivor, IMHO. I found that international adoption is harder to do with a cancer history, several countries have policies against cancer survivors, like you must be5+ years from treatment, or 10+ years. Domestic adoption with a cancer history is really up to the agency. Lots of agencies are okay with it, like the one we chose. Just like ElatedMom said, you have to have a letter from your oncologist saying that you have a normal life expectancy and are currently cancer-free. I don't know how it is with fostercare, it might really be up to the country that you are working with. I visit the cancerboard in the community forum that Nala mentioned. Let's keep in touch and get through this together! P

02-09-2009, 04:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
survivor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: midwest Posts: 9	Hi. i realize your post is a little old, so maybe you have your answers by now. i am a leukemia survivor as well, and 11 years post BMT, and am a licensed foster-to-adopt parent in my state. as previous posts said, usually you just need a physical completed by your doctor and a letter stating you are healthy enough to parent. That's all i needed. Honestly, most states are so desperate for good foster parents they should not have a problem accepting you based on medical history. i don't think there is a specific time you have to wait, as long as your doctor will put in a good word for you. we have foster parented one child so far, an adorable 1 year old girl. she was just reunited with her dad last week - hard for us to say good bye but we are so happy we got to have her in our family for 10 months! good luck to you...