Just how careful are you during chemo?

Allydp

I'm a little unclear on just how careful I have to be regarding my immune system during chemo. I work from home, so it's easy for me to get cabin fever by the end of the week and want to get out and about. I've been hesitant though since starting chemo (ACT). Can I safely go out to eat? Grocery shopping, etc? With being home a lot, it seems the only time I ever get sick are after eating out somewhere, which is why I'm concerned. I'm thinking of reserving eating out for the weekends just before my chemo's…so that would be like 12 days post infusion at that point. My onc said all this would be fine, but I don't know. I even asked her about wearing a mask and she said that wouldn't be necessary. It just seems like the best thing to do would be to stay home and play it safe, but I can't see sitting in through this entire journey. I'll go crazy. 

Also, one more quick question…how does everyone feel about a glass of wine every now and then during chemo? It's not like I need it, but when we do finally go out, it would be lovely to enjoy a glass of red wine with my meal. 

Thanks! 

Holeinone

Allydp, 

I did go out during chemo, no salad bars, no sushi. In the beginning I would not eat any lettuce, but about half way through I relaxed. I love good red wine, but it tasted horrible to me during chemo, like vinegar. I think the chemo drug Taxol states no alcohol, but if it 10 days later, I think you would be ok.

Your oncologists will tell you if your white blood count gets to the low point where you need to be extra carefull. That happened to me after the first tx, I was fine after that. 

CarpeVinum

My onc told me to stay away from sushi and salad bars too, and that my immune system would be at it's lowest days 7 - 14, so I try to stay away from crowds and sick friends during that window. I do have a glass of wine every now and then but it doesn't taste right.

Cougarlicious

Honestly, if I felt fine I lived life like normal.  Washed hands more often but I did not avoid stores, restaurants, etc.  I had a toddler and newborn at home so staying away from germs with a preschooler was impossible so I just did my best to mitigate the risks.  No issues with blood counts with AC (I even went to a concert right after an infusion) but I did end up with a neutropenic fever after eight weeks of weekly Taxol, mainly because my MO didn't want to give me Neupogen or Neulasta.  You get your panel readings with each treatment so you can see how well you're holding up and adjust life accordingly.

bren3

I didn't do anything different either. I stayed away from anyone that I knew was actually sick but went out everyday. I have 3 young kids in school and didn't get crazy about hand washing and I volunteered in their school. My oncologist never told me to stay away from any foods either. You have to do what you are going to feel comfortable with.

mdg

I had a different chemo, but my doctor didn't give me many restrictions.  I went to the gym daily and I wiped down the equipment before I used it and washed my hands right after I was done.  I also went grocery shopping and did most of my normal things.  I just washed hands a lot. I also got neulasta shots.  My son was only 4 and in a pre-K program so I am sure he brought home germs and I never got sick.  As far as wine.....I tried a glass here or there but my tastebuds were shot...it tasted nasty and I didn't want any. 

Kicks

I lived LIFE as I usually do to the best of my ability.  A/C no problems at all, Taxol - totally and utterly exhausted me so I had to do some planning to have the energy to be able at times for going/doing 'stuff' at times.  Never 'caught' any colds or had sinus infections (something that was SOP for me before) during chemo or rads.  Actually have only had 1minor sinus infection since TX).

The Chemo Education book I got at my chemo education class before first infusion said NO ALCOHOL.  I asked my chemo Dr if it would be OK if I had a couple of Midori and Soda when we were going to Deadwood for Thanksgiving Dinner.  He said to enjoy the Holiday as usual - so  I did (Hubby was driving).

We are each so unique!  There is NO "One Size Fits All"!

PamelaC47

I did my ACT chemo while working full time in a department store during the holiday season.  I had no problems, just used common sense, washed my hands often and tried the best I could to stay away from  sick people.  There were probably more germs just sitting in the oncologists office! I grocery shopped and did everything I normally do.  I did avoid eating out but that was my choice, the doctor had no problem with it.  She also told me it was fine to have a glass of wine.  I got Neulasta shots throughout my chemo.

Allydp

Thanks so much, everyone! Sounds like everyone is living life as normally as possible, which is great to know. My onc also told me no salads or sushi, so I'll definitely stay away from all that. And I do get the neulasta shot, so that's a plus. I think I'll go out to eat this weekend and test the waters…and have a glass of wine too. Might as well while my taste buds are still in tact! Thanks again!

megomendy

I'm starting chemo tomorrow, but my MO said not to live in a bubble. I don't plan on staying in, unless I feel crappy. Havent really thought about not eating certain foods and wasnt told not to.

cider8

I also lived 'normally.'  I am a SAHM and my youngest was 7 when I went through first chemo.  I couldn't do all the things I wanted to, like run around with them all summer.  More laid back.  I specifically avoided the Children's museum and cut back on school volunteering, but that was more due to fatigue and noise sensitivity.  I never wore a mask.  I went to public pools and out to dinners.  I did become much better at hand washing and not touching my face at all.  (Not that I was bad at washing my hands! But, you know).  I also remembered to not eat from my kids or anyone else's plate.  I don't remember getting sick on chemo and I rarely get sick anymore.  

AKJ

I'm trying to be careful with food and hand washing. But I'm still trying to go to work. I work with kids. I keep squirting hand sanitizer on them. I'm going to a basketball game tonight. I think it's ok to participate in life activities to a certain extent if you feel up to it and are careful.

Anonymous

I'm between AC and Taxol and so far have lived pretty normally. I even traveled out of state on the AC (moved in with my parents for treatment and had to go back and tie up loose ends with my job and apartment) and then turned right around and traveled across the state for the Young Survivor's Conference. The only thing that I gave up was that I wanted to resume my volunteer work with an afterschool group - was told to avoid the kiddos. Oh, and no sushi. My fiancee and I had a blowout the night before I started chemo.

As far as drinking, I've had a few (actually had a half a beer last night) but kept it reasonable and don't drink right before or after an infusion. I'm getting married in a few weeks so I'm definitely not giving up drinking at my own wedding!

ziggypop

I had TAC, but my doc wanted me out, for one thing he wanted me walking everyday. The one thing that he said I would want to avoid later in treatment was being on an airplane. I flew to texas for 2 weeks right after my first round. By my third round I could barely walk up the stairs so it became a moot point. But basically my doc wanted me to do whatever I felt able to do (while obviously staying away from sick people). In other words - he wanted me to live as normally as possible. 

Kicks

I think that some Drs may tell us what they think we want to be told (or what our families want to hear or us told).  The only 'thing' my Chemo Dr told me not to do at my first meeting with him was to not start training for the next Boston Marathon during neoadjuvant chemo.  We had a good laugh about that (I haven't 'run' since I got out of the Army)!  Hubby and Son did take over all my 'heavy' chores (barn) or house chores I really don't like doing unless I decided I felt I had to do them on any particular day.   3 days after 2nd A/C, I drove in my first Powder Puff Mud Bog and did great. (2nd against a pro bogger truck with his wife in it.  I was driving my IH Scout that I had retired from daily driver a couple of years before but gave to Son to turn into a bogger that had had          no work done on it yet.)

We are each so unique in what makes us who we are or what we can/want to do.  I'm sure a lot of what is my life is not what many would think about doing (or do) but as long as I am alive - doing what I want/can/like/enjoy keeps me LIVING and loving LIFE.

l

Allydp

Thanks again, everyone. Hubby and I ended up heading out to a few stores over the weekend and then out to eat. I was extremely careful and all went well. Just had my 2nd round of chemo on Tuesday and I'm feeling good other than this nagging bone pain from the Neulasta…but I'll take that knowing it's keeping my immune system going!

Thanks again and wishing you all the very best.