Just how careful are you during chemo?

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.

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.

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"!

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.  

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!

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.

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