Going out during chemo?

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et1977
et1977 Member Posts: 9
edited August 2019 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Just started my chemo plan of 4 TC infusions, once every three weeks. My husband has an important work function coming up about a week after my 2nd infusion. Will it be possible for me to go? I also have concert tickets in September. For the most part, I’ve resigned myself to resting, staying in, and not drinking during this stage, but was wondering if I was being silly about skipping the work function and concert? Would love to hear from any of you tips to maintaining some normalcy in life during chemo

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  • Farfalla6
    Farfalla6 Member Posts: 105
    edited August 2019

    it will depend onhow you feel, and what MO advises, but I certainly went to social events and even travelled for work through chemo. Having said that, there were days when I did have side effects and would have had to skip things, but you don’t have to put your entire life on hold.

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  • ErenTo
    ErenTo Member Posts: 343
    edited August 2019

    it would depend on your schedule. Days 3-5 post chemo were the worst for me. At week 2 your immune system is at its lowest point. But yes, you can definitely have a social life with some planning ahead and precautions to protect yourself from germs and infection

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  • TrishaFL
    TrishaFL Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2019

    I had a different regime but I didn't stop my life for chemo. Went to Disney, traveled by plane, made road trips. Mostly was able to keep up a normal life.

    There were days where not much would get done but I still went and did things.

    Plan on doing the things but have a plan if you need to cut the event short.

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  • godisone
    godisone Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2019

    et1977 it depends totally on how you feel if you are excited about going out with your husband and also about your September trip, there is no one to stop you. you can and you should live your life to the maximum, cancer and its treatment should not halt your life under any circumstances. you felt so enthusiastic about these coming up soon, so find a dress suitable to the occasion, checkyour makeup kit, buy the best lingerie and go ahead. it is the way it is supposed to be, do not let anything worry or stop you. do tell us how this thing went, do share your experiences to motivate others. much love to you.

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  • DiagnosisDisruption
    DiagnosisDisruption Member Posts: 108
    edited August 2019

    I went out during chemo, and taught at an elementary school. I did have Neulasta, which upped my immunity after chemo tanked it, but I never once got sick in the several months I was on chemo. I lived my life, although it was much more slow motion than before (which I kind of miss now, a year out).

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2019

    I didn't change my lifestyle at all. I teach at a university, and kept working, going to the gym, yoga classes, etc. It gave me a feeling like I had some control over my life, which I felt I didn't have most of the time during tx, and helped me feel normal--like my dx was just a bump in the road (it was). I did get neulasta shots the day after my ACx4, and I had dose dense chemo, which probably had a higher impact on my immune system, but I did just fine. I did what I felt like doing.

    Claire in AZ

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  • HeartShapedBox
    HeartShapedBox Member Posts: 172
    edited August 2019

    I also am on an every-three-weeks chemo schedule (TCHP), and for me the third week (so far) seems like a safe bet for planning social events. I've let myself have a couple beers, I'm planning to go to a concert, and I'm just planning ahead to be smart about it (bring hand sanitizer and be mindful of germs, stay hydrated, bring extra meds just in case symptoms return, etc). There's NO way I could've kept working or made social plans the first 10 days of my cycle (pretty miserable), but I felt way more able to function normally than I thought I would, and almost normal (but tired) by day 15. Your first full cycle will be the learning curve that lets you know when your "good days" are, so you can plan life around future cycles.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited August 2019

    It all depends on how you are feeling. I worked during chemo, went to concerts, track meets, to my niece's high school graduation (5 hours a way). I did everything I needed to do, and most of the things I wanted to do too. (I also had Nuelasta shots so I didn't really worry about getting sick). My advice is to get a little exercise (which will actually help), listen to your body, but live as normal a life as possible (which will make you feel better mentally for sure).

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  • Tmh0921
    Tmh0921 Member Posts: 714
    edited August 2019

    I asked my oncologist about working through chemo and continuing chaperoning my oldest son’s marching band activities. She encouraged me to continue with life as usual as much as possible. Obviously there may be days where I just need to rest, but keep things as normal as possible. It’s good for us mentally and physically

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