Infection risks whilst on chemo

My understanding - though not from experience - is that infection is a real risk here. I have seen it said that Covid style restrictions should be considered as part of the preparation for this. Also, have ALL the vaccinations.

Our friend Alwayshope  has great advice on this, so I have, as you see, tagged her into this conversation.

Not only does she have the experience of her husband going through this, but she is cleverer than me as well.

Keep on going, and smile a lot. It confuses everyone.

Thanks buddy I appreciate your prompt response.

Good morningToonster10 . COVID like precautions are a good idea as you are going to be at a higher risk of picking up an infection but in your situation I would wear a mask, plenty of hand washing and trying to avoid anyone with bugs. I have attached a link which adds in some other precautions to try and keep you safe. Life has to carry on whilst you are having treatment, partly for your mental health but it is a matter of being sensible and understanding what to watch out for. The time of greatest risk is during the second week of your cycle, just when you are starting to get over the initial side effects if you have any. 

 Hubby about to start chemo 

For reassurance, my husband was dreading it but at the end he said it wasn't as bad as he feared. His cancer has now progressed again so we will probably be on the chemo treadmill again.

If you have any questions then please ask and we will try and help.

Hi Toonster,

My H will be having his last chemotherapy treatment this week. After that, it's down to the hormone injections, and see how he gets on.

Our nurse also was very clear about infection risk, that coughs or colds even may see H into hospital, as with each treatment, his immunity decreases, and there is a cumulative effect.

We cancelled going to music gigs, too many people, too closely packed. In your work, you might be able to keep a safer distance, choose where you sit, leave the room if someone has obvious sniffles.

I also bought a lot of vitamins - C,D, zinc, bone and joint health specific ones, and he drinks juice with added vitamins, and an immunity-boosting juice shot each morning. I do the same, as there seems little point me being the one to bring a cold home with me!

So far, neither of us has had so much as a sore throat since Christmas. Keep yourself safe, that's your priority. It's not just the being in hospital with a cough, but everyone else in there with other infections, Covid etc which are a threat.

Take care and keep yourself safe

J

We all have our own areas of knowledge and experience Steve mstev2 and I always read your responses with interest as I learnt a lot from them.

Thats all extremely useful, thank you for your response. Very best wishes for the future.

Thanks for the valuable advice. Best wishes for the future.

Whilst my husband was having chemo I was paranoid about infection, especially in the first 2 weeks of each cycle. I made him do his temperature at least 3 times a day. We stayed away from children and crowds of people. I tended to do all the shopping and not let him touch any surfaces if we did go out. Looking back I was probably abit too over the top but hopefully it kept him safe and he sailed through all the sessions 

Husband just reminded me that when we went out for a coffee to a garden centre I poured his drink into a mug I had taken from home. I can't believe I did that. He didn't have anything like salads or food that wasn't nuked . Poor man living with me