Flu shot?

My husband has been getting the flu shot since he was diagnosed with cancer 4 years ago, even Hospice gives him the flu shot and he rarely leaves the house to go anywhere.  I also get the flu shot and I tell our sons, grandchildren, friends, if you are sick stay away. 

I would listen to your doctor.  Your system is weaker now.  Also I would ask about the pneumonia vaccine if you haven't gotten it already. 

Sharon

I've had my flu jab at work today. I have been having it for about the last decade. I have never had flu during this time.

Having had flu twice in my life, I mean 'proper' flu, where you are pretty much bedbound for 2 or 3 weeks, I would never be without the vaccine, especially now I'm wrestling cancer. The last thing I would need is breathing difficulties and to put an extra strain on my immune system.

I've  never had a flu shot and I've had the flu twice in my lifetime.  They ask me if I want it each time I go to the doctor and I tell them that I've never had one.  They don't persist.

phrannie51 said:

Yes...get it...

Your immune system isn't going to be what it once was while you are in treatment.  There is no reason to tempt fate and end up with a case of the flu while you're trying to do rads and chemo. 

p

i agree with phrannie51. and others please get it.

I vote yes on the flu shot.  If your immune system is down you are at a higher risk.  If you get the flu and then develop pneumonia, you'll end up in the hospital and exposed to even more risks.

Those important things aside the flu is a horrible thing to experience.  Why risk missing two weeks of work, feel like crap and being weak beyond belief for a month?

Listen to your doctor and get your flu shot.

Hey Kritter,

I'm a big proponent of getting an annual flu shot.  My last bout with the flu was many years ago, and it was not a bit of fun; I'm also a big proponent of having fun.  Having been through all of the crapola that I've gone thru over the past 14 years, it doesn't make sense to me to take a chance of getting something that is avoidable; kinda like wearing seatbelts to avoid going thru a window.  I read this week on Webwhispers, for any laryngectomee who may read this, that it is recommended that we get the high potency flu shot formula, as opposed to the standard kick-in-the-mudd variety.  At any rate, that's my nickel's worth, and I do believe that I'll be getting my high octane flu shot this weekend; thanks for the reminder.  

PATRICK

or more properly influenza kills people.  Lots of them in a real epidemic.  If you read about the known history of the influenza virus, you will run, not walk to the nearest facility to get the shot.  Influenza virus is poorly understood by the public, who seems stuck on thinking the common cold is the "flu."  It is not.  When a worldwide pandemic occurs from influenza, it makes a few billion people sick.  That doesn't kill them.  Complications following the flu, chiefly bacterial pneumonia, do kill people.  Those of us who have special risk factors, like cancer (especially if suppressed on chemotherapy) and the elderly or otherwise disabled, are at especially high risk. 

We get lulled into  a false sense of security because an epidemic of real influenza does not happen MOST winters.   And so we think, well, no big deal.  But it has happened repeatedly before, and it will happen again.  

I've been back on chemotherapy for about 8 months now.  My white blood count was almost alarmingly low this last cycle.  Flu scares the hell out of me because I won't handle the insult if I get it.  When you listen to the news today, the discussion is about real influenza.  It is here early this year, right out of SE Asia where it always comes from, and we don't have the vaccine to immunize yet.

best to you

Pat

I was told I must get it every year so I am a good patient and have been stuck ever since.

      Jeff

Hi Patrick and all:

I'm trying to find some backup for the statement that laryngectomy patients should get the high potency flu shot. Is this due to a higher susceptibility or increased symptoms if one does get the flu?
I know several laryngectomy patients and want to explain why with references...

Thanks!

- Jeff

Like every one has already written to you.There is more benefit to getting the Flu shot then to skipping It. Not only am I a cancer survior still on strong pain meds and other medications that lower my immune system but I've also got Psoriatic Arthritis with the skin sores, the joint pain excetra and on Humeria for the treatment which also suppressed my immune system yet I get the Flu shot every time. Don't skip this.