Fish tanks

Nancy2581

Does anybody who has been going through chemo have fish tanks?  I have 5 tanks and two betta fish each in a bowl.  I am being told I can't clean my tanks.  Um that will cost me an arm and a leg to have somebody clean these things every two weeks.  I asked if I could wait until right before my next chemo to clean them.  I could get those gloves they use for horses that go all the way up the shoulder and I could wear a mask.  Also being told I can't pick up dog poop.  Well I plan on walking my dogs and one of them always poops.  What if I bring rubber gloves with me.  Should I wear a mask for that too?  What do you guys think?  Oh an yeah I have two bird cages.  My husband can do those I suppose.

And they don't want chemo to disrupt your life.  Yeah, right.

Nancy

leggo

JMO, but whomever gave you that info may be overly cautious. I picked up poo even when my counts were like, 1. More importantly though, the fish tanks. DO NOT get fish water on/in mucous membranes, cuts, etc. when your counts are low. Wear the gloves (I might even double up because even fish water on a hangnail would suck) and something over your face and I think everything will be ok. I actually got sicker from eating raw veggies than any other germs during chemo.

Good luck. 

Edited to add, I wouldn't go anywhere near the birds or cage, but that's just me.

Nancy2581

Okay I will move the birds into another room where I don't go and hubby can take care of them.  

Maureen813

I'm still on chemo and clean cat box and pick up dog waste  I buy a box of latex gloves use 1x and throw away

208sandy

I cleaned two kitty litter boxes and one dog kennel while on chemo - wore a disposable mask and disposable gloves and had no problems. 

Nancy2581

Thank you all ladies.  Hubby is stepping up to the plate and will be cleaning the fish tanks for me.  He also said he would take care of the birds.  He doesn't want me to be in the room where the birds and fish are. I said but, but, but. . . that's where my computer is.  He's buying me an iPad -what a good hubby.  I feel bad because he's the one I always cry to when I'm having a bad moment.  His mother passed away from breast cancer so I can imagine this is very hard on him.  

Nancy

I have to walk my dogs myself.  It will be the only way I will get through this. I start chemo on July 22nd.  I will bring the gloves and get some masks for when Niner (one of my chocolate labs) decides he has to poop - which is every flippin' walk.  He won't poop in the backyard - sheesh.

Kicks

When you say 'horse gloves', are you talking about livestock exam gloves?  If so, you can get them at any good farm store (Tractor Supply, Runnings, etc), at most large feed stores and from large animal Vets.

I was not told to do nothing with my animals during chemo.  Son did take over barn chores so I didn't have to do any of the heavywork if I didn't feel up to it any particular day - so I could spend my time with them without worring about mucking stalls or bucking hay.  Hubby took over dog care and my pet rabbit, again so I didn't have to do anything - just do what I wanted to.  I continued to care totally for my goldfish tub myself.  But then my blood countt was never low.  We are each so unique (as are our Drs), so there is no one way that is 'right' for all.  I was encouraged to remain as active as I wanted to with all my animals.