Chemo starts tomorrow for me (Thursday). Cam and I attended a 2 hour 'chemo teach' a couple of weeks ago to learn about what's going to happen.
For the particular type of drug combo I will be getting, my first 4 chemo sessions will be about 2 hours of 'chair time'. For the final 4, it will be about 4 hours of 'chair time'. I go every 3 weeks.
The chemo drugs are designed to kill rapid-growing cells - which is why your hair falls out. It also kills white blood cells and platelets, which is basically my immune system. It is vital that I not be exposed to anyone who is sick in any way as I will have no way to fight off anything. Although the anti-nausea drugs are supposedly really good now, if I DO have any nausea, it will happen the first few days after chemo. The white blood cells are at their lowest in the 2nd week after chemo so that is when I have to be EXTRA cautious.
So if you are thinking of visiting, you must be absolutely certain that you are not coming down with anything - and also I will be avoiding physical touch like hugs and smooches. Even if you aren't sick, you may have been around someone else who is sick so following the normal advice like lots of handwashing and not touching your hands to your face will be helpful.
I guess they think that if you might be sick but don't realize it, and if you are touching your face, you might touch something else like a faucet or magazine or something that someone else (namely me) could then touch and be exposed.
Cam is under pressure to stay healthy as well so he will also need to cautious around others, so he doesn't bring any sickness home.
I am just not entirely certain how 'dire' this would be - I know that many people work through chemo so I don't know how they ensure their health. It could be overkill for sure - but I'm just passing on the info that we were given....
Will keep you all posted, as usual, on how I'm feeling....
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Shana and Cam- your Whistler retreat brought tears to my eyes and the thought of you starting your chemo today, is bringing on more. Sorry. It just brings back sooooooooo many memories.
ReplyDeleteIt was one year ago yest. (Oct. 21) that I had my lung removed. I just can't believe how time flies. My chemo is over, and I feel good- just out of breath more often.
Keep up the good work. You CAN do it- I know you can because I did it. No- "WE" did it. I couldn't have done it without the support of all my family and friends and prayer. Your attitude and laughs have and will continue to help you. You are awesome.
I think that with all this H1N1 scare, that I wouldn't take the chance of being around anyone while you are chemoing. It scares me even now when I am healthy-but since it is a lung flu, I don't have any extra lungs to chance getting sick!!
The chemo nurses at Abbotsford were sooooo kind and good sense of humor. I'm sure that the Surrey hosp. ones will be just as good. They know what you are going through, so they do their best to help you and make you comfortable there.
Have fun!
Linda (Chilliwack)