Hello everyone,
I am so glad I found this forum and wish I had looked earlier. I have just completed my first week of chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer and have been very worried about my cat Louis. A lot I have read made me very worried as he is a softee lap cat who sleeps with me. He will pat, paw you to get attention and is a real head butter. I asked my oncology doctor and clinical nurse and they both said a pet is a good thing and a comfort but I must be very careful re hygiene. Obviously wearing gloves when cleaning out cat litter and giving him his meds is a must and washing my hands regularly, but I was beginning to think I would have to leap out of bed and wash every time he got near me at night, or shut him out of the bedroom, something he did not understand. Having read your posts I realise we can still live normally just be sensible rather than obsesive . Thank you tatty .
Hi Tatty2
I am sorry to hear that you are having chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer.
I can understand your worry about your cat Louis.
I had chemotherapy and then 25 sessions of external pelvic radiotherapy in 2022 for endometrial cancer. Other than washing my hands, using hand gel and being extra careful when changing litter- we were all fine. I have 3 cats and they were a great comfort during treatment. One in particular rarely left my side and continued to sleep on my bed.
Good luck with the rest of your treatment and Louis sounds lovely.
Jane
