In April 2022, I had a germ cell tumor on my ovary, which i received surgery and BEP chemo for, I also had a benign tumor on my heart and had open heart surgery for this to be removed.
3 years on i still feel like I am immune suppressed, every 2 months or so i'm full of the cold, for around 2 weeks. I just wondered if anyone else had the same? Or is it not related to chemo side effects and just having a rubbish immune system.
Hi suzieax and I see it's first post on the Community so welcome and also welcome to this little corner of the Community.
Unfortunately long term suppressed immune system can sometimes happen.
For some context..... I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of Cutaneous T-Cell Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive Peripheral T-Cell Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma so I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well...... (See my story)
I have basically lived and worked with an erratic immune system for 25 years..... for the first 12 years I continued to work full time in a demanding teaching job on a full timetable....... and yes I often had colds etc...... I retired in 2011 then my condition kick off in a big way in late 2013........ and since then my immune system has been very fragile.
Living with and being treated for 2 rare blood cancers helped me appreciate more the effects that chemo can have on the bone marrow as a result on the Lymphatic System.
Post my last treatment (Oct 2015) I have been 5 times back in hospital (31 days) with Chest Infections, Lung Fungal Infections, the RSV Virus, Pneumonia x 2 and Neutropenic Sepsis x 2.
But I have developed the ability to live with this..... we eat a healthy balanced diet, no junk food, a little alcohol, very regular exercise, Adcal-D3 every day....... aim to drink a litre of water every day (should be 2).......
My ongoing safety net is I have 2 sets of general antibiotics that I have on repeat prescription and I can use them in the event I have a developing chest infection...... cuts out the time to get a GP appointment.
Life can still be lived..... ((hugs))
