Nervous Wreak (again)

3greatkids
3greatkids Member Posts: 45
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
hello to everyone
I need some desperate advice, and I am unable to find it anywhere else. My wonderful other half is currently going through 4 cycles of 5fu........1week on, 3 weeks off. Just to recap, he was dx. in sept. with stage 3 colorectal cancer, had rad. and chemo. for 5 weeks, temp. illiostomy, and then surgery in Jan. He finished his first week of this round of chemo last friday, and we were told that his white blood count would be at its lowest 10-14 days after first treatment. Okay now here is my HUGE concern.. My 5 year old daughter has a very bad case of influenza, and now I am panicking because I don't know how to prevent my husband from getting it. They said it could be life threatening if he were to get an infection. He is staying away from her for now..and I am being vigilent in disinfecting EVERYTHING, but I just want to know how others handled this type of situation. I am a TOTAL BASKET CASE right about now.....taking everyones temp. I almost feel I should either take my daughter somewhere until she is better or get my husband to stay somewhere.....of course he says I am over reacting.
Thanks for any input.......you guys ROCK!!
3GK

Comments

  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
    Do you actually know that your husband's WBC is low? Chemo doesn't always affect it. I went through 6 cycles and never once showed any drop in my counts. I'm sure his oncologist would be willing to do a quick CBC - if his counts are good that could help to put your mind at rest.

    Betsy
  • alihamilton
    alihamilton Member Posts: 347 Member
    #3
    Betsy's idea sounds good, but I was also a nervous wreck when my husband was getting chemo. You just have to be vigilant and take him to Emergency if he gets a fever anything above normal. I would keep your daughter away from your husband as much as possible but there is a limit to how much you can protect him. I know it is a worry but try not to, too much. Have the CBC checked which may alleviate your anxiety.

    Take care of yourself too.

    Ali
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #4
    Hi 3GK,

    I was also stage 3 and I actually did get a respiratory infection while undergoing chemo. It really set me back. In fact, it went on so long that my oncologist ordered a PET scan which showed activity in my lymph nodes which was not cancer but activity from the infection. I don't tell you this to alarm you but just to give you information. One of my friends thought she had "allergies" which, in fact, was a cold and I caught it. Anyway, just try and keep your daughter away from your husband as much as possible. My first symptom was fever which lasted over two weeks.

    Bless your heart. Now you are a caregiver to two patients. I hope you daughter heals quickly and your husband does well. It is now a year and a half sincy my chemo and I am doing great. So will your husband.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • JustAnne
    JustAnne Member Posts: 13
    #5
    My husband is stage 4. About 2 months into his chemo our 12 yr old son got bronchitis. I was also a nervous wreck! I did keep them apart as much as possible - but I had to go to work and leave the two of them home together. The good news was that my husband did not catch it. The docs had also told us to watch out for low WBC, but his has only been dangerously low once (and we're 5 months into the chemo now.)
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #6
    I can understand your concerns. My white blood cell count was very low while I was receiving chemo, and I have two sweaty teenage boys and was paranoid about catching something. The good news (there has to be some, right???) is that your husband may not have depressed WBC count (as others have said, some people never do. Even for me, it took several cycles....). In my opinion the most important thing is for everyone in the household to wash their hands regularly. Sorry -- I know that sounds trite -- and that you are being very vigilant already. But that one act has been shown to be the most effective way of preventing spread of illness.
    Good luck to you all.
    Tara
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #7
    taraHK said:

    I can understand your concerns. My white blood cell count was very low while I was receiving chemo, and I have two sweaty teenage boys and was paranoid about catching something. The good news (there has to be some, right???) is that your husband may not have depressed WBC count (as others have said, some people never do. Even for me, it took several cycles....). In my opinion the most important thing is for everyone in the household to wash their hands regularly. Sorry -- I know that sounds trite -- and that you are being very vigilant already. But that one act has been shown to be the most effective way of preventing spread of illness.
    Good luck to you all.
    Tara

    I don't think you are being paranoid...it is obviously important to keep your hubby as healthy as possible. Notwhitstanding the problems with low WBC it is still important to keep hygiene in thorough check and of course you know that. I was told that avoiding anywhere where people gather is a hazard...public transport, shopping centres..all sorts of places. But the main thing I did was to be absolutely aware of the importance of family and personal hygiene....I pretty much washed the hands thoroughly many times a day. Some would say going to extremes but what price being too complacent.
    Short of sending your hubby or kids away you are pretty much doing all you can and in any case sending them away is not only unacceptable but any possible physical contact has already occurred. Of course no matter where we are we are all subject to airborne bacteria. Do what you are doing and as the others have said...try to keep contact from your daughter as limited as possible. I don't know the manner in which this particular flu could spread but as I say....the damage may already have been done, so I guess time will tell.
    All the best for you and hubby....we hope that he is strong enough to be unafected.
    Ross and Jen
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #8
    Hi 3GK,

    I just want to say that you are not being paranoid. I have colon cancer and start treatments in 2 weeks. I have already started preping my 4 kids by giving them vitamin C once a day to help make sure they don't get sick. I am their main care giver so no way can I "stay away" from them. Good luck and my prayers are with you and your family.

    Lisa
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #9
    Hi- from what we were told the worst would be a bacterial infection - not so much a viral one (influenza-cold)
    Not too much to do other than have him wear a mask and have all of you use the antibacterial hand wash...try not to panic- my husband went through a cold at the same time his wbc count was too low for him to get chemo and he did ok...
    Bev
    Bev

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