flu shot?

Heatherbelle
Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Good morning :) I'm sitting on my couch this morning with my oldest daughter & my handy laptop, snuggled in warm pajamas, fluffy robes, under big fluffy blankets, it's a warm & balmy 6 degrees here in sunny Indiana today....
Anyway, I read an article in our local paper about how alot of people are getting the flu early, and my dad had it last week. I was wondering if any of you have had the flu shot? Has it been recommended by your doctor? I'm kicking myself in the butt for not asking my Onc about it yesterday, I completely forgot (chemo brain STILL kickin', even though I've been done with chemo for a few months now...)
Thank you in advance for your input!
*hugs*
Heather

Comments

  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    Flu shot
    Had mine early October...it's not to late to get it...flu season is just now "revving up"... My oncologist highly recommends it...

    Stay warm! I'm in the south...if it's any comfort, it's only 23 degrees here...
    Best wishes
    Nancy
  • joannstar
    joannstar Member Posts: 403 Member
    Yes
    My onc gave me one in his office before my first chemo treatment in September.
    Hugs,
    JoAnn
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    Early Nov.
    I got my flu shot early Nov. '10 As soon as VA got it in they had a shot clinic at the local TREA so I was in line before the doors opened. Got my pneumonia shot early Nov when I had my annual with my PA. The year before I got it (flu shot) during the 3 weeks between surgery and re-starting Chemo - late Oct or early Nov. - don't remember the date. Just got my Shingles shot week before last.
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    YES to the flu shot
    I finished chemo in August and got my flu shot in October. I actually got the flu shot in my oncologist's office as I happened to be there when the vaccine was first being distributed to doctors this past Fall. You can still get the flu even when you live in sunny (sometimes) California. It happened to me a long time ago and I vowed to never to go through that again.
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member

    YES to the flu shot
    I finished chemo in August and got my flu shot in October. I actually got the flu shot in my oncologist's office as I happened to be there when the vaccine was first being distributed to doctors this past Fall. You can still get the flu even when you live in sunny (sometimes) California. It happened to me a long time ago and I vowed to never to go through that again.

    Got my flu shot
    in October--5 months post chemo and 3 months post rads. I checked with the oncologist first and then got it from my primary care physician. Had no problems.

    Hugs, Renee
  • gagee
    gagee Member Posts: 332
    Had flu shot
    Had flu shot during radiation. Doc said it was a good idea to get it as soon as possible. So I did it the same day. No side effects, I don't think....... I have so many side effects so not really sure. It has been since Nov. 8th (last rad.) and still having terrible side effects.

    Hugs.
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    Heather
    my onc told me to go ahead and get the flu shot back in October so I got it the week before my next chemo. I've gotten the flu shot every year for the past 5 and I have never had the flu. Don't want it either! Hope you don't get it. It's going to be frigid in CT for the next few days and we have another storm coming Tuesday night. I've already had enough winter! Stay warm & healthy.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    My onc...
    My onc had no objection to my getting the flu shot, while undergoing chemo. However, said it may not be effective at that time, but certainly wouldn't hurt.

    Of course, that was 2008, and I have gotten a flu shot every year since then. My PCP recommends it for me...pretty much for all of her pts.

    CR
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    CR1954 said:

    My onc...
    My onc had no objection to my getting the flu shot, while undergoing chemo. However, said it may not be effective at that time, but certainly wouldn't hurt.

    Of course, that was 2008, and I have gotten a flu shot every year since then. My PCP recommends it for me...pretty much for all of her pts.

    CR

    Yep.
    Like the others, my oncol. said to get it but not until late Oct. because according to the CDC having it earlier will not get you through the flue season. Last year was the first one I've ever had and was surprised how my arm hurt afterwards. I've since been told this is "normal". Stay warm.

    Sher
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    Go get it Now
    It is not too late to get a flu shot. The pharmacy in our state has it. One year I got mine at my onco visit. The wait was shorter at the pharmacy and it only cost about $25. It may be free at the Dr.'s depending on your insurance coverage. Just watch out for the germs at the primary care Dr. office. . .
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    cabbott said:

    Go get it Now
    It is not too late to get a flu shot. The pharmacy in our state has it. One year I got mine at my onco visit. The wait was shorter at the pharmacy and it only cost about $25. It may be free at the Dr.'s depending on your insurance coverage. Just watch out for the germs at the primary care Dr. office. . .

    I opted not to .. now I am having 2nd thoughts ...
    had a cold -- head and so on for about 14 days .. misery, to say the very least. May go out and get 1 at my local Savon's ..

    I hate gems ....


    Vicki Sam
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    VickiSam said:

    I opted not to .. now I am having 2nd thoughts ...
    had a cold -- head and so on for about 14 days .. misery, to say the very least. May go out and get 1 at my local Savon's ..

    I hate gems ....


    Vicki Sam

    I work in a pharmacy and we
    I work in a pharmacy and we are stillgiving flu shots. I live in PA and we submitted most of the shots to the patient's insurance as we would any medication. Check before you go though as I understand not all plans are covering it unless it is given in the Dr. office. Take care stay warm. We had a high of 11 degrees today. I'm so ready for spring!!
  • Thankful to God
    Thankful to God Member Posts: 5
    Flu Shot
    Heather,
    I resisted in getting a flu shot, until my Internal Specialist reminded me that after radiation, my immune system would be "down" and that I would be more susceptible in getting the flu. I got a flu shot in December.

    Take care...
    Barb
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    shots
    pneumoni and the flu shot was recommended by my onc. when i was taking chemo good luck hugs and love comming your way.
  • pinkflutterby
    pinkflutterby Member Posts: 615 Member
    ladybug22 said:

    shots
    pneumoni and the flu shot was recommended by my onc. when i was taking chemo good luck hugs and love comming your way.

    My cancer center gives them
    My cancer center gives them to us. I think I got it in October.
  • Wolfi
    Wolfi Member Posts: 425
    Flu shot
    Heather,

    I got the flu shot this year and last year. My doctors didn't tell me I had to get it but they said it wasn't a bad idea. I think that anything I can do to avoid compromising my immune system I should do. After many of my co-workers had the flu this year I am glad that I got the vaccine in November. So many people don't stay home from work when they are sick which puts everyone else at (unnecessary) risk. One guy I work with had a very bad cold and was constantly coughing for over two weeks. It was really annoying to me because I kept worrying that I would end up getting sick - I used a lot of hand sanitizer and contantly cleaned my desk area with Clorox wipes.

    Wolfi
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    joannstar said:

    Yes
    My onc gave me one in his office before my first chemo treatment in September.
    Hugs,
    JoAnn

    My oncologist suggested it,
    My oncologist suggested it, so, I had mine last Fall.