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with my chemo they told me about my immune system being low with it.
I notice everyone seems to be going here and there and I'm afraid to go to crowded places (even grocery store) for fear of geeting something. Especially a cold because I not only have MDS, I have COPD.
Am I being too causious?
I just finished my chemo therapy this past January for stage III rectal cancer. I, too, was told to be careful about going out in crowds because of my low immune system. But, I continued to go to my kids football games, and to concerts with my girlfriends, and did fine. I did my best not to come face to face with others. I have asthma and usually catch any cold going around, which goes straight to bronchitis. These past 10 months on chemo, I have not caught a single one, which has to be a record. Now, I can't guarantee this for you, but I wouldn't be too worried about going to the grocery store.
Good luck with your treatments. Keep up the positive attitude, I found that was the best medicine, and surround yourself with family and friends, take a friend with you to treatments-laughter works wonders!
Thank you so much for your response! I have a friend/roommate that goes with me to chemo and even my doc. has a good sense of humor! LOL
I'm afraid of a cold most of all cuz it goes right to my chest and I get bronkitis or worse. I guess I shouldn't worry so much but just be careful. Thanks again
I do not think you are being overcautious. It all depends on the type of cancer you have. I have non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a blood cancer which affects the immune system. Between the Lymphoma and chemo, I literally had no immune system and quarantined myself (I was warned about catching colds, flu, etc as well as scratches from garden work which can turn into internal viral or regular infections). I was also warned about being in the sun as I was also prone to skin cancer with no immune system. My chemo ended in October. In December I met a friend for lunch in downtown Chicago. I caught a cold which completely knocked me out and made me bed ridden for three weeks!!!! If it were me, I would take the utmost care during chemo. Get a breath of fresh air now and again, but be very, very careful.
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