Hi all I have smzl and have my last chemo/antibody treatment next month. I booked a caravan holiday literally a month before being diagnosed and I’m due to go on my holiday about three days after my last chemo
I’ve been coping really well throughout treatment and my oncologist has advised that as long as I feel well that I should take my holiday (which I’m so looking forward to) but my question is regarding mixing with other people
I’ve only been going to work or the hospital throughout my treatment and haven’t really gone out much. When I go on caravan holidays I love to go to the entertainment venue and watch the shows so I’m wondering if I should be ok doing this
also what are peoples thoughts on drinking alcohol. I normally meet with family for a drink a couple of times a month but haven’t been to the pub throughout my treatment so would like to treat myself to a little tipple
thank you
Hi again Emmark1907 and great to hear that you are getting close to the end of your treatment.
A break after your treatment sounds great.
There is always a real Risk of infection….. not only during your treatment but often for a good period of time after……
My infections did not start until a few months after my last treatments.
Generally it takes about 48 to 72 hours post treatment for the body to break down and/or get rid of most chemo drugs.
But the effects of the chemo on growth areas and your general immune system will last for weeks….. and is important to remember that you may well be more open to infections at about days 7-14 as this tends to be the window when your immune system is at its lowest…….
But the more chemo you have the longer the recovery can take so by the end of treatment it could take a few months for this to recover completely.
So you will have to be carful….. crowds indoors like a pubs and restaurants are basically infection machines but sitting outside would be fine.
As for the entertainment venue and watching the shows, again you need to be carful….. after my treatment I went to the cinema but wore a mask…… this was way before Covid times.…… Just be cleaver as to where you sit……
As for alcohol….. as long as you are not on any oral meds that you are not allowed to drink while on…. and after the 72ish hrs why not have a pint or two….. in moderation.
I was in hospital having treatment over the New Year and the staff brought in some party food and drinks…. so I had my 2 IV pumps pumping chemo into one arm and a glass of single malt in the other.
As always you don’t do as I do….. you do what your clinical team advise you to do.
