Weakened Immune System

kbc4869
kbc4869 Member Posts: 159
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello,

I am almost four years out of treatment (lumpetomy, chemo, rads, now on Tamoxifin) and I find that I am sick all the time. I have a two year old in daycare, so I am on the frontline for some major germs. Every week for the last six months, I've either had a stomach bug, bronchial infections, bad cold, etc. I get better for a week, and am sick again. Stomach bugs take me a week to get over; colds and coughs two to three weeks.

I have went to my oncologist and to the general practioner, and they have no answers for me. I do give them credit for being dilligent -- they check my blood work, and do chest scans -- all come back normal, which is great. They tell me to take vitamins, which I do. They tell me that I obviously have a low immne system and I probably shouldn't be around sick children, but my daughter's not going anywhere for a while, so this isn't a choice. I'd love to say that I take good care of myself, but I could do better. I don't get as much sleep as I'd like or time to myself, but that's my reality as a full-time working mother. That's not going to change anytime soon.

Are any of you finding that you have a lowered immune system since treatment? Have your doctors told you this is common? Is it from the Tamoxifin?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Kim

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
    Kim,
    For the first time since 12/04, my white count is finally in 'normal' range. Yes, chemo/rads plays heck with everything. I have WAY ramped up my antioxidents...blueberries (Yummy!), green tea, citrus, if you google antioxidents, you can get a list...natural sources work better for me than vitamins...you might look into this...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    Hi Kim, wow you poor thing-it must be miserable to be sick so often. I doesn't make sense that your blood counts are normal but yet you are always sick. I'm taking tamoxifen also. My white count has been low(2.5ish) since chemo ended 2 years ago but yet I never get sick, and I am a teacher!! So go figure. Anyway,have you ever thought of seeing a nutritionist? Perhaps they could recommend some foods/herbs that could help ward off germs. Also I have a friend who swears by acupuncture. There are certain points in the body that correspond with the immune system. Let us know how you make out. Take care, Eileen
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #4
    Life is not fair. If you get sick, it lowers your immune system and then you get sick even more! I love little kids and used to teach the toddler class at church. The oncologist and surgeon pointed out to me that cancer is an immune disease. When I got lung cancer on top of breast cancer (both stage 1, not a met), they told me I better give up the Sunday School. I could manage giving that up (with some tears), but I had to keep my job where I worked with kids just a bit older. The nurse there and my relatives gave me lots of tips on staying well. Learn how to wash your hands like a doctor before you eat anything even if it is a snack. Don't ever eat off of your child's plate or utensils. Teach your child that kisses are for the top of your head or cheek (not the lips unless you're married!). You kiss other people's babies on the top of the head or their toes, skip hands or faces. Use the waterless antibiotic hand cleaner if soap and water aren't available. Scald dishes in hot water. Wash your dish towel and dish rag frequently. Get regular exercise, even if it has to be in ten minute spurts 3 x day. (Pushing your child in a stroller is exercise if you are working at it.) Eat breakfast and include fruits and veggies at all meals. Make snacks healthy ones. Get rid of the TV and sleep when your child sleeps. Forget about cleaning the house if it is naptime. Try to get out in the sunshine when the weather is nice. Drink lots of water and green tea. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Throw out anything that might be iffy. The list goes on and on.

    I still have my job and I do lots of the above. I think the exercise helps the most, but maybe avoiding some of the germs and eating right helps some too. Two is a great age for hugs and hugs help our immune system too. Love helps. A positive attitude helps. Sometimes we get sick anyways. I keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet and try to intercept illnesses earlier rather than later. The doctor is getting better about taking all complaints seriously. So do what you can and enjoy your daughter. She will eventually stop bringing home so many germs and learn to wipe her own nose and things will get better. Good luck!
  • kbc4869
    kbc4869 Member Posts: 159
    #5
    Ladies,

    Thank you so much for your replies. You have some very good advice. So much of it is common sense, but it helps to have it reiterated (however, Cabbott, I just don't think I can give up those baby kisses! She likes to attack my face with kisses, and that is the highlight of my existence! :) ) I admit that my diet is not what it should be and the exercise -- well -- let's just say that the baby just started sleeping through the night at 22 months and just making it through the day felt like exercise. I think it's time for a life style makeover now that things are starting to get back to normal. It's interesting because my blood counts have always been good, even during chemo -- I never got sick during chemo. I think the pregnancy and lack of sleep has really run me down over the last couple of years. I'm actually looking into possibly quitting my job and staying home with the baby until she goes into preschool. My accountant seems to think it's doable and my husband is all for it, so maybe that's in the cards for me. It's just that I have always worked since I was 14 and it feels strange and scary to me not to. I think that I need to listen to my body and my instincts and follow them though. I've been on a hamster mill for a while now. Maybe it's time to jump off?

    Lots of thanks and a million hugs,
    Kim
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
    kbc4869 said:

    Ladies,

    Thank you so much for your replies. You have some very good advice. So much of it is common sense, but it helps to have it reiterated (however, Cabbott, I just don't think I can give up those baby kisses! She likes to attack my face with kisses, and that is the highlight of my existence! :) ) I admit that my diet is not what it should be and the exercise -- well -- let's just say that the baby just started sleeping through the night at 22 months and just making it through the day felt like exercise. I think it's time for a life style makeover now that things are starting to get back to normal. It's interesting because my blood counts have always been good, even during chemo -- I never got sick during chemo. I think the pregnancy and lack of sleep has really run me down over the last couple of years. I'm actually looking into possibly quitting my job and staying home with the baby until she goes into preschool. My accountant seems to think it's doable and my husband is all for it, so maybe that's in the cards for me. It's just that I have always worked since I was 14 and it feels strange and scary to me not to. I think that I need to listen to my body and my instincts and follow them though. I've been on a hamster mill for a while now. Maybe it's time to jump off?

    Lots of thanks and a million hugs,
    Kim

    Kim,

    After working all of my workable life (15 to 51), even during my 2 battles with cancer(self employed), I am now semi-retired....VERY nervous...but really starting to enjoy it!!!!!

    I have moments where I panic a bit, but always it seems like something comes along just at those moments...I am convinced this is right!!!

    Cancer teaches us to enjoy the moment, and each moment with your little one is precious...

    E-mail me anytime, and we can share...lol!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    Sorry to hear of your troubles. I really like your idea of a health makeover. All the suggestions others have given are mine, too. I really believe that exercise is important. Finding a type of exercise you like is the key so that you will be willing to do it. I walk my dog and my husband, who needs to exercise too. Should you opt to stay home, you will find that you will probably up your exercise a lot if you have changed from a desk job to walking around the house, standing, etc. I stay in good shape because my work is mostly standing up, helping students at their desks. And all healthy issues aside, if you can do a try out for staying home you may find that the time with your daughter is incredible! You will reduce your stress (good for immune system) too. The nicest thing about working towards good health is how positive it is and how in control of your health you feel (the exact opposite of going through cancer treatment where you seem to be damaging your health with each infusion or rads zap). I wish you the best in any decision you make, or makeover you undertake! love, Joyce

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