Swimming & Spa?

Hi EllenP76 

I went away between treatments of EC and also while on paclitaxel but we have a motorhome so I was able to keep myself away from other people and I avoided crowded places to minimise the chance of picking up an infection. The sites we went to didn't have swimming pools, etc so I didn't have to make that sort of decision but, if they had, I wouldn't have used them.

Probably the best person to get a definitive answer from would be your BCNS.

I hope you have a lovely break.

My physio said no to swimming and gym until after chemo- said pools are not the cleanest places. My daughter did catch a bug from a pool once, all the children were ill - hadnt thought of that before I asked her if swimming would be good for my mastectomy scar/arm. Im not allowed sauna / steam room after lymph node removal as it raises risk of lymphodoema

I ended up using cling film under my swim top and it worked well for keeping everything waterproof. Someone in my local group mentioned looking at small backyard spa ideas too, especially if getting to public pools or spas is tricky during treatment or recovery. Having your own little space could be a nice option for gentle exercise or just relaxing without the stress of being somewhere crowded.

Hi. I was told by chemo nurse to avoid swimming because of course they speak from text book/facts re infections etc. However, let’s be realistic, as long as you don’t get any water in your mouth and have open wounds how will you get an infection? I would do what you feel is best do you. We all take risks relevant to us. 

As I side note I’m impressed you didn’t suffer much after EC, I’ve heard a lot of bad side effects what that drug which I start next month, I have 2 weekly taxol and carboplatin a left then I will have 3 sessions of EC every 3 weeks. Did you lose your hair? Glad to hear you had minimal side effects.