Chemo and socialising

Good morning Beepeep,

Although I can’t help you with any answers, the timing of your question is perfect as I am starting the same amount of Chemotherapy treatment from Friday 2nd May for Stage3 cervical cancer. It will be interesting to read the advice given.

I wish you all the best with your treatment.

Good morning,

I had 6 months of chemo and didn’t isolate. However I was cautious but I also wasn’t very well on it so kinda stayed in. 

My moto is, if you’re gonna get something you’re gonna get jt. 

My daughter went to school, high school, what if she brought something back? I couldn’t stop her going school. 
My partner went to work, what if he brought something back? I couldn’t stop him going to work. 

What about the food shop? Or like necessary things you may need to do. 

I still did things but didn’t go at peak times, for example going for tea. Went earlier or later than ‘normal’ tea time so it wasn’t as busy. 

I was also signed off work so I was really lonely and isolated. My friends became paranoid and nervous about ‘passing anything on’ so didn’t see them often but spoke on the phone. 

My personal opinion is - I wouldn’t isolate but just be wary of things. 

Good luck xx

Thank you and you are right, it is quite a responsibility for friends to worry about but we don’t want to not see them at all
best wishes 

You will find the best way for you  

Good luck xx

mabe we're a marks good luck with that hope it won't be too hard on you 

I was told by nurses to try to keep to some normality, but do wear a mask when going to supermarkets.  I started my first lot on 26 th March.  I’ve sort of self isolated as I don’t want to get infection on top of everything else. ( I got cold when I was doing first round of cisplatin in Jan).  Saying that friends/family welcome to visit me as long as they don’t have anything.  The way I have felt so far I wouldn’t want to be going out. 

Hi Beepeep

I hope that your chemo goes well for you.

I had chemo myself. You do need to be aware of the potential risk of infection but I did still go out and about when I felt well enough to. 

I asked people who were unwell to stay away. Where I could, I tended to meet friends outside in the fresh air. I did go shopping etc. 

I did however get an infection and had to go to hospital under sepsis alert. I was given IV antibiotics and checked over and recovered ok. I was treated before the infection had a chance to establish and spread. 

One thing I would recommend is to get a thermometer and check your temperature regularly. Any change up or down that is not normal for you, then call your 24 hours helpline. If you do get an infection it can progress very quickly. I went from feeling a bit shivery to feeling really unwell within the hour. 

My consultant said to me that I was not to work during chemo due to the infection risk. My work involved being around a lot of people daily. 

During chemo you will have regular blood tests and these will give you the best guideline as to whether you need to isolate or can go out and about. If you become neutropenic (I was during the last 2 cycles) then it is really important to avoid infection because if you do pick up one your body can not fight it in the same way. 

My bloods declined with each cycle. 

With regards to public transport and the festival, the best thing is to speak to your consultant. I would not have personally used public transport during my chemo- I would not have felt well enough and I would be concerned about being shut in with people who could potentially give me something. Whereas something like shopping- you are walking around and popping in and out etc. If I went in a car with someone then I would use a mask. 

Jane

I finished 6 rounds of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin at the end of February.  I was careful but did not fully isolate.  My husband still works and my son is finishing University so they are around people.  I met my friends for lunch most weeks.  I attended a Christmas get together with friends at a restaurant.  My friend with a cold wore a mask and sat far away from me.  I did not catch her cold.  I needed the social contacts on a regular basis to keep my spirits up.  I wore a mask while shopping and did not take public transit to go anywhere.  My husband drove me for chemo appointments and worked remotely from the hospital.  Now that I started  radiation, I will try to drive myself as long as I can.  I am still planning to get together with friends.  I had my Covid booster and flu shots last fall.  Meeting outdoors is safer of course but not practical in a Canadian winter. I’m glad spring is here.

ok hun do what best for you 

Many thanks all for this very helpful advice. Thinking about the risk of infection and how we could deteriorate very quickly, I am now wondering about the need for someone to be available to drive me to hospital 25 miles away . I guess I might need to rely on taxis too .