My husband has a cold

Ruthmomto4
Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member

he just had chemo Thursday- Saturday. His WBC count was good at about 7.2 his platelets were on the low end at 145 not sure if that matters. Is it dangerous for him to have this cold? other than he is being very dramatic and I could be what is dangerous for him. Honestly I am not sure what to do here, no fever, just a bad cough, and stuffy nose. I think I need some sort of patience pill. 

Comments

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777
    I ask the doctor. This looks

    I ask the doctor. This looks to be a tough cold and flu season coming up and a lot of us are vulnerable. I need to order a box of surgical masks.

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    Mikenh said:

    I ask the doctor. This looks

    I ask the doctor. This looks to be a tough cold and flu season coming up and a lot of us are vulnerable. I need to order a box of surgical masks.

    He is so stubborn

    He doesn't seem to get why this is such a big deal. He doesn't understand how quickly this could turn very serious. He had a normal temp yesterday, just a few minutes ago I made him take it, it was 99.2 I know in most people that's nothing but it's creeping up. I had to scream to get him to not go to work and I making him call the oncologist in the morning. 

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Bummer

    Bad time of year for all of us but especially someone going through treatment.  If he seems to be getting worse definitely call the doctor.  Sometimes it might just need to run it's course, but this is a different situation.  Don't let it go to long with addressing the cold symptoms as it could be his CBC counts goes even lower.  Hope he feels better soon.

    Kim

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777

    He is so stubborn

    He doesn't seem to get why this is such a big deal. He doesn't understand how quickly this could turn very serious. He had a normal temp yesterday, just a few minutes ago I made him take it, it was 99.2 I know in most people that's nothing but it's creeping up. I had to scream to get him to not go to work and I making him call the oncologist in the morning. 

    We guys like to feel that we

    We guys like to feel that we're invincible. The realization of cancer, particularly if you understand the statistics, biology, and dangers of it, should be incredibly scary. At least it has been for me. A lot of people die from the flu every year and I imagine that those with compromised immune systems like those of us going through chemo are more susceptible to this. That's why they have masks dispensers all over the place at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. They have them at my local cancer center too.

    BTW, when I started Chemo, my son had a lung infection after getting over the flu. It was something like pneumonia. He tried to tough it out but it wasn't getting better so I suggested he go to the hospital to get it checked out and I told him that they'd iikely give him a Z-Pack. He went and they gave him a Z-Pack and it was gone in two weeks. But my wife got his flu a few days later. So I was living with two folks in my household with the flu while I was on chemo. My wife likes to come up close to me to talk and I just did my best to maintain my distance. Our son already worked to maintain his distance from me. Fortunately this was at the start of chemo when my immune system was probably not as bad as it was near in the second half of treatment.

    In Asia, it's not that rare to see people walking around in cities with masks on, either to protect others if they are sick or to protect themselves from others that may be sick. I will likely start wearing some kind of protection when in public after starting chemo. People may look at you funny but I can live with that.

  • lizard44
    lizard44 Member Posts: 409 Member
    I have a call in to my oncologist

    Because I have a cold, sore throat and laryngitis- no fever, just feel yucky. This is the first time I've had a cold or anything similar since I started treatment  21/2 years ago.  I had an appointment  tomorow with my surgeon ( second post-op visit) they told me not to come in- I do sound kind of scary- like Darth Vader.  The  nurse  in the oncologist's office said the doc may want me to get checked out  by my PCP. Will let you know what they say when they call back. But you might want to check with your  doc  to set your mind at ease since every patient is different and what's right for one may not be right for another.

     

     

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    We called the oncologist

    they said since all this levels were perfect he should be able to fight it himself. Of course if he gets a high fever or chills to call. I made him go to the walk in so they could listen to his lungs/chest  and it was all clear so I felt better. Made him chicken noodle soup it's cooking now, and chocolate chip cookies. He is of course working but doing it from home so that's a little better. 

  • Lily Flower
    Lily Flower Member Posts: 260 Member
    edited December 2017 #8

    We called the oncologist

    they said since all this levels were perfect he should be able to fight it himself. Of course if he gets a high fever or chills to call. I made him go to the walk in so they could listen to his lungs/chest  and it was all clear so I felt better. Made him chicken noodle soup it's cooking now, and chocolate chip cookies. He is of course working but doing it from home so that's a little better. 

    Taking care of your hubby is

    Taking care of your hubby is like taking care of another kid, doesn't it Ruth?! Hahaha. Glad to hear he's doing better! 

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member

    Taking care of your hubby is

    Taking care of your hubby is like taking care of another kid, doesn't it Ruth?! Hahaha. Glad to hear he's doing better! 

    Absolutely!

    Especially one that is a workoholic, that doesn't listen!!!! Lol