Can I drink inbetween chemo appointments?

Hello there my long lost friends!!! My oncologist made cancer sound so boring.He told me to refrain from sex,of course no smoking whatsoever,dont even breath around people smoking a joint,and of course no drinking.Thats when I got pissed off!!!I said wait a second here!! Im getting chemo 3 times by IV then im off for 21 days then I go back again.He said yeah??? I said well why cant I drink inbetween??? He said well we just dont recommend it.Ok guys I quit smoking,completly forgot what sex is,quit the pot,and even stopped drinking because my homeboy the onc said too.Now heres the quetion,Do you honestly think I can harm mysely in any way if I have a couple of fruity cocktails this weekend? Ive been close to a nun lately and feel the need to let my hair down while I still have some.Ive taken the cancer very seriously and have abided my every cotton pickin rule they throw at me but tonight I want to cheat a little.I really value so many of your opinions though and would really appreciate your honesty at this time.Please tell me your feelings on this subject.Thanx so much!!! Your friend,Kandy

By MarionW
Posted September 26, 2008 at 5:21 pm
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You are so funny! thanks for the laughs! I love your spirit.

After having my whole lung removed, My romantic life resumed in 3 weeks. I don't get why if you're up to it, you should be restricted. I don't drink, and didn't have chemo so I'm not sure of interactions but- by God, you would think you could indulge in a little fun. I'm with you all the way!

By Kerstin
Posted September 26, 2008 at 5:47 pm
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Kandy,
you made me laugh...thank you
My Onc said to use a condom when having sex during Chemo, cause you don`t want your partner to get some of the Chemo. The drinking and I quote" just don`t get to drunk cause you might fall down the stairs and break something" end quote.
I had a beer or a mixed drink once in awhile, I did not do any harm.
Life is to short to not have some fun once in a while.
God bless you
Kerstin

By Dana
Posted September 26, 2008 at 6:30 pm
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Kandy,

I was never warned to stay away from alcohol. Unless there is something specific about your chemo type, I don't see why you couldn't drink a reasonable amount.

Heck - I went to Mexico (all inclusive - many many cocktails and probably not the cleanest food). I also went to local nightclubs (rarely), our local casino from time to time . . . for the most part, if I felt up to it - I did it.

The tough thing is - if you go out drinking - are you going to be tempted to smoke? (you know - old stomping grounds = old habits). I suggest you give it some forethougth and know how you are going to handle the temptation.

I like what someone said a few days ago - NOPE = Not One Puff Ever.

My theory is you may be living - but what is living worth if you can't do anything fun?
My advice . . . go have a couple of drinks. (Have one for me too.)

:o)
Dana

By GypsyGirl
Posted September 26, 2008 at 6:38 pm
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I have been thinking about you after reading that you were starting chemo on Tues. How are you feeling? My friend is 40 yrs old and her husband was several years older. They had mostly grown up kids, and she had a 10 yr old. He was going through radiation, chemo... multiple times. They did not refrain from sex, nor did they use protection because the chemo had supposedly made him sterile.... well they ended up naming her 'flu bug' Noah!! He's adorable. Just cont. to protect yourself in all ways! Take care of yourself... you're precious!

By fumesy
Posted September 26, 2008 at 6:54 pm
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Hi Kandy, If you have read some of my prior posts, you would know I have my cocktail hour every evening including when I had daily radiation treatments (34) and 4 chemo infusions. 1A No surgery.

My ONC calls me MIracle man, keep on doing what you are doing, so I do, including smoking, but don't you. If you are up to it, I see no problem w/cocktails or sex, wish I was 25 years younger to help you through this time, lol, hope my wife does not see this post. Hang in there, you will be fine,
Bill in S Jersey

By altamo
Posted September 26, 2008 at 8:34 pm
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Kandy,
I had my upper right lobe removed and four months of cisplatin and navelbine. I drank our evening wine everyday and sometimes in excess. My onc called me the poster boy for chemo and told me to keep doing whatever I was doing. Enjoy life, we all know that more than most people.

Cheers!
Alan

By hermanade
Posted September 26, 2008 at 9:28 pm
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Re: the alcohol. It may be that your onc doesn't want you to doubly tax your liver with chemo and alcohol.

Can you maybe self-comfort with a pint of Haagen-Daaz or a box of See's. Just a thought.

By jadams
Posted September 26, 2008 at 10:20 pm
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Myself, I was too out of it to even think about alcohol during treatment. Still can't remember what sex is, but now that I'm done with the chemo/radiation/WBR, damnit if I feel like drinking a beer I will. It's what I did before cancer and I'll do it again.

By Shar815
Posted September 27, 2008 at 6:03 am
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Hi Kandy,
My onc. told me that I had to refrain from sex for 72 hr. after treatments because you could secreet (sp) the chemo drugs, but they did encourage me to drink red wine to help boost my red blood cells, which I gladly did:) and I'm here 3 years later, still drinking the wine. Go have a good time and live life, sometimes we all need to relieve stress. Take care and God Bless, Sharon

By knittygirl
Posted September 27, 2008 at 7:51 am
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I drank red wine throughout my "big chemo" time. Couldn't drink while my stomach was iffy, but as soon as it was good again I'd have a glass. Cheers!

Take care,
Sam

By charly1722
Posted September 27, 2008 at 7:56 am
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Hi Kandy,
Well again this is all new to me!! As far as sex, I had no idea I was not suppose to have sex. (Not that I am having it alot these days)but still this is a first I heard of that. Does the chemo really secreet? And for drinking. I have still been doing that as well. I try not to drink the day before chemo and I definetly don't drink the day of, but other than that, if I feel like having a drink weather its wine, beer or a cocktail, I do( I don't drink every day of the week either) I do try and limit myself to beer or wine and now since I just read Sharon's response about the red wine, that seems to make sense to me and I love red wine!! I am doing well, I'm only in my second week of treatment , but except for a little fatique, I'm doing great. Also thanks to all of you, this site has been a god send!!!!
Charly

By Stellyq
Posted September 27, 2008 at 9:51 am
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Hey Kandy, I lived as I wanted through out my Chemo treatments, and if having a drink was what I wanted I did.
I think your Doc could use a good " Stiff One"

Love and Peace
Stella

By robinwd
Posted September 27, 2008 at 10:28 am
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Kandi, I, too, can see where the alcolhol MIGHT be contraindicated..but I drank what and when I wanted. Nothing to excess, of course. NO sex? Dr. needs his head examined! If you feel like it, why not? Condom probably makes sense, BUT if the junk is secretable, then it would be in saliva, too, so no frenchin'!!!! LOL.

By JustLisa
Posted September 27, 2008 at 12:30 pm
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Hi kandy....

I never heard anything about sex.. but we didn't go there but my husband and I did ;-)
Anyway I think a little red wine wouldn't hurt but no sugar I didn't have any sugar then..
anyway I wish you the best .. maybe the onc wants you to save yourself for him.. LOL!

By poncho
Posted September 27, 2008 at 4:32 pm
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Kandy,

If you feel like having a drink, I certainly would do so. You only go around this world once, so enjoy every moment of every hour of each and every day like it is your last. Anything less is unaceptable because life is so very short.

God Bless and you go girl,

Frank

By FrankClem
Posted September 27, 2008 at 5:17 pm
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All doctors have their own theories on what you can and can't do. Kandy, I say GO FOR IT ALL!!! LOL
I hope you're doing OK on the chemo girl. I start mine Monday morning.
Frank

By TaraL
Posted September 27, 2008 at 6:57 pm
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Hi Kandy,
I must admit that when I went through chemo, I did not ask the question, and was never told otherwise. I used my own judgement. If I was terribly sick/tired following chemo, I did not want a drink. But when I felt ok, I had a glass of wine here and there, or a Margarita, and did not see any harm. Again, a doctor must give the best advice available, and in general, alcohol would not be recommended. But in moderation???? I went for it and turned out fine (so far.)
Tara

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