Will I be up for waterpark with my kids during chemo?

Options
IWKCB
IWKCB Member Posts: 13
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I will be undergoing chemo throughout the whole summer. My family got season passes to the local waterpark as a Christmas present. My husband didn't get a pass since he doesn't really like it so the plan was for me to take my 5 and 11 year olds. Will I feel up for this at all? Even if we only go 2-3 times, the pass pays for itself. I'm tempted to see if they would let me postpone the passes for the following season given the circumstances. I'm not sure if they would let me do that but I'm sure I would need to request before they open for season which will be before I start chemo so I won't know at that point how chemo will affect me. Besides feeling sick, how do you deal with a scarf or wig at the waterpark? I don't think I'm brave enough to do bald.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • lostinmo
    lostinmo Member Posts: 922
    edited April 2013

    I was told chemo would make me more senitve to the sun, but I would ask my Dr. I would have felt like going on the 2nd week after my chemo but that is when your counts might be lowest. As for head covering..swim cap?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dltnhm
    dltnhm Member Posts: 873
    edited April 2013

    IWKCB,

    Each person's response to their chemo regimen is different. Compared to most - I sailed through chemo. Was able to run and some days beat my earlier running times. Left straight from my fourth AC for a family vacation and was on the climbing wall on a cruise ship the following week. Not at top climbing strength - but I made it to the top and rang the bell. Then on to 12 weekly Taxols. BUT ... and it's a BIG BUT ...
    when I was going through chemo, two of my boys were in college and my youngest was a senior in high school. Everyone (especially my husband) was taking care of themselves and when they were home ... they were spoiling me ;0) I didn't work outside the home, so I had the luxury of time and few demands.

    You are going through so much with your little ones. And at a waterpark you will need to be very hands on with them. Still, it's difficult to know right now how you will feel and how much energy you will have for what you will want to do.

    One thing that we found with my cancer was that customer service from a number of entities was extremely accomodating. My husband had work flights booked well in advance and when his boss 'grounded' him and told him to stay and take care of me, he contacted the airlines and they all allowed him to either get a refund or take a credit (his choice). I would stake money on it that the Waterpark will allow you to do what you need to do if you speak to them and follow-up with a letter explaining your life circumstances right now. 

    Sending hugs your way!

    Diana

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited April 2013

    The one thing I would caution you about is your lowered immune system - probably a good idea to check with your onc - waterparks can be a breeding ground for all kinds of nasty "bugs" and you certainly don't want to risk getting sick during chemo.

    Hugs, Sandy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited April 2013

    If your MO says ok for sure.  What frequency are you having chemo?

    I had chemo every 21 days (TAC) and days 14-21 I wouldn't have known I had chemo.  I just wear a ball cap now.  I hate wigs!  I never got into the scarf thing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    I couldn't have done it, but everyone is different!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IWKCB
    IWKCB Member Posts: 13
    edited April 2013

    Thank you all for responses. I had not even thought of the sunburn, germs in the water issues. I really hate disappointing my kids but I'm thinking it might be best if I ask if they will switch to the following summer. I will be trying to work through chemo and don't want to add on extra things to my plate.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited April 2013

    I did TACX6 at 3 week intervals (quite some summers ago, thankfully); I worked (commuted from Florida to DC, in fact) and probably would have had the energy for the occasional visit BUT my onc was very concerned about the weakened immune system so might have cautioned against anything that would have that much risk of infection.  I will say that while I wore a wig for work, I HATED every minute of it and probably wouldn't do it again - but everyone is different.  Wigs - even the best ones - are HOT in summer.  Sending good thoughts - I had a "lost weekend" after each treatment but otherwise was pretty well throughout.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jpsgirl96
    jpsgirl96 Member Posts: 240
    edited April 2013

    I did TACX6 at 3 week intervals (quite some summers ago, thankfully); I worked (commuted from Florida to DC, in fact) and probably would have had the energy for the occasional visit BUT my onc was very concerned about the weakened immune system so might have cautioned against anything that would have that much risk of infection.  I will say that while I wore a wig for work, I HATED every minute of it and probably wouldn't do it again - but everyone is different.  Wigs - even the best ones - are HOT in summer.  Sending good thoughts - I had a "lost weekend" after each treatment but otherwise was pretty well throughout.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • itsjustme10
    itsjustme10 Member Posts: 796
    edited April 2013

    Everyone reacts differently to chemo, so it's hard to tell you how you'll feel.  I could have done it, but there are others who are really wiped out from chemo.

    I do have one answer for you, though...I am not a scarf or fussy hat person, turbans are not something I would ever consider, etc... I lived in the "pony-mode" cap -I wore it to the gym every time I went. They also have a swim-hat with hair.  It's a ton cooler than wearing a wig!!  I never bought the swim one, but it looks like it could definitely fool anyone who doesn't know you. And, the hair can be cut to match your current, or wig, length.  :)

    http://hatswithhair.com/SydneySwim-Wig1.aspx

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited April 2013

    Is there someone you can buy a pass for to go with you? Or could take your kids when you are having your "bad days"...then at least they can get out and have fun and you can rest!

    I think you can still be there, but not necessarily in the sun, or doing all the rides? My oncologist said to make sure I wear sunblock in the summer, I laughed and told her my nickname in summer is "Snow White", I use a 70 and reapply religiously.



    Oh, please see about chlorine...I think my oncologist MIGHT have said to avoid chlorine!



    You are very fortunate to have somewhere local to do this. I say go for it if the onc says ok, or find an alternate who can take the kids....



    I know what you are saying about the kids ...I have three kids and it sucks that chemo will be cutting into my summer. I will do my best to plan something fun for my "good days", and hopefully someone can take them on my bad days once in a while. I am also feeling lucky I should have most of August to do something with them , chemo ends in July, then it will be another surgery in the fall.



    Wishing you all the best during your treatments.

    Pat

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bren3
    bren3 Member Posts: 38
    edited April 2013

    I took my kids to the waterpark during chemo. I made sure it wasn't the weekend right after my treatment but it was fine. I didn't worry about my bald head or the port in my chest but I did talk to the kids ahead of time about how some people might stare out of curiousity or might even comment on my appearance. It was alot of fun but we were there all day and did mini golf in the afternoon and then went back again after supper. I was beat by then. It will all depend on how you react to the chemo. Good luck and try to go on as you would untill you actually find you can't.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited May 2013

    I was sick the entire time I had chemo, really sick. But judging from a lot of comments over the years (since 2010 lol) it seems that a lot of women do "well" during chemo. It just really kicked my butt but everyone is different.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sundermom
    sundermom Member Posts: 463
    edited May 2013

    Mom of five here. Kids were 3, 5, 7, 8 and 10 during chemo. They honestly kept me going through chemo. I knew that every second I laid around I was missing something - a soccer game, a baseball game, a school event. After my first 2 rounds of chemo (I went every 14 days) it became pretty clear which days I would feel the crappiest. For me that was day 2 and day 3, so I planned famiky outings around that. I pretty much felt fine the rest of the time. As for the hair loss I wore a hat or scarf to the pool. I love the sun, even went regularly to the tanning bed during chemo & radiation, and never had any issues.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IWKCB
    IWKCB Member Posts: 13
    edited May 2013

    I'm going to ask my oncologist about if she thinks it would be ok. I also need to ask about going in the ocean as we are 20 minutes from the beach. I have friends with passes that would help me out. Maybe I can talk my husband into getting a pass. He just really hates the water park. I'm not one for the big slides anyway, more of a lazy river kind of gal or hanging with my 5 year old in the kiddie area. I am finding it so hard not to make plans for the summer since I don't know how it I will do on chemo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited May 2013

    I did Neulasta shots so didn't really worry about infections. I also bought an expensive wig that you could actually swim in (although I just went around on the inner tube on the Lazy River part of the water park, so only got it slightly wet). My kid was older than yours though, so could go off with his friends & I could mostly stay in the shade (definitely, if you do it, wear sunscreen and stay in the shade as much as you can). Everyone is so different, but if you feel OK and like you want try it, I would think about 'hiring' an older kid to come with and tag around with your kids and/or go with another mom so that if you poop out, she could take over. Best of luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited May 2013

    I have been jealous of the ladies who were able to sail through chemo with minimal SE. I got very sick just about the entir time. Just finished my last round and recoverying from a nasty drop in my white blood count. Everyone is different though. My MO said that my reaction was not typical of most of his patients and that most didnt have as many SE as I did.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Member Posts: 278
    edited May 2013

    That's a toughie!  Heat and exposure to infection would be my greatest concerns.  1 to 2 days AFTER each treatment is when I felt the WORST...then I got up and did my thing.

    Chemo does NOT have to render you bedridden.  It didn't me.  Just let your body lead you.........and guard against infection at all costs.  Being bald in the summer????  Nothing wrong with that.  Just protect against the sun.  But being bald for me was awesome in the Georgia heat.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited May 2013

    I didn't have issues with chemo... I went on vacation to St. John for ten days between tx 3 and 4... (had 6 in all)... worked full time too. I wore a bandana in the ocean and had no issues. Also had no issues with the sun. I too had Neulasta, but the germs would be my one concern.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories