Chemo and Closeness to Children

Quasi

I had a skin sparing RX with immediate LD reconstruction 2 weeks ago. I am scheduled to start chemo 2 weeks from today. I have a 7 year old daughter. Were you ever warned not to be physically close to your children during chemo (no kisses, they shouldn't be sleeping in the same bed..etc). I read that some docs say that it is dangerous for young children to be close to adults who are going through chemo...what's your experience with this?

TifJ

I have never heard of this. If they are sick however, I wouldn't get too close. I found it to be the perfect time to cuddle with my kids while I was not feeling well and in bed.

Holeinone

Quasi, I was told to be careful to flush the toilet, not let kids, animals around the urine from the "red devil", they want you to flush the toilet twice at the cancer center..if you have not had a flu shot, ask about that...good luck...

sundermom

We snuggled and cuddled all the time ...all 5 of my littles ones. We spent many hours watching movies on Netflix together on Days 3 and 4 after chemo.  I also continued to work as an elementary principal. I received Neulasta after every treatment and never had a concern with low counts or being unusually susceptible to illness. Good Luck! Just remember the anticipation is usually worse than the actual treatment

rozem

the problem is that your immune system is compromised and therefore you can pick up bugs very easily and you are unable to fight them off.  There are certain days after chemo (I think day 5-8 on a 3wk cycle) where your immune system is shot (even with neulasta)   Unfortunately kids pick up/carry a lot of bacteria/virus etc.  I made sure that the kids washed their hands as soon as they came home from school, limited the number of friends/visits they could have and my entire family got the flu shot to protect me.  I went through chemo during the winter months and never got sick.  I made it clear to all my friends and family that if anyone was sick (incl their kids) that they should not visit - this is not to be mean but you seriously could end up having to go to the hospital if you catch something. 

remember to avoid crowded places like the mall when you are the most susceptible

bren3

Do what feels right to you and makes you comfortable. I took the Neulasta shot after every chemo as well but I never changed my lifestyle at all. Still went out, still played with the kids and volunteered at their school. I never got sick either. But every situation can be different and you have to use your own judgement. I never visited a friend I new to be sick but I also never avoided crowded places either.