Forum Discussion

Ellie_Goli's avatar
Ellie_Goli
Member
7 years ago

Should I avoid shopping centres during Chemo?

Hi Everyone. 
I was diagnosed with triple negative grade 3 breast cancer in November. I started my neoadjuvant chemotherapy on 29th of November and another is coming up on 13th of December. Side effects weren’t too bad except I felt down in the dumps for the whole week. Walked everyday and did some exercise but it didn't make my mood any better. I went to shopping centre yesterday and I felt alive again... but friends keep telling me that I should avoid public places like shopping centres because of crowd and possibility of getting sick with low immune system and etc... Did you avoid going to shopping centres during your chemotherapy? Did you avoid eating out in restaurants?

A little about me; I am 38; mum to a beautiful 5.5 years old boy and wife to a lovely husband. I have supportive parents and good bunch of friends around me but since chemo I can't focus and see happiness in my life anymore. I am not sure if it is chemo side effect or it has just hit me that I have cancer. I was okay right before chemo...

P.S. I have started to read the posts here since day 1 and it really helped me a lot. Just wanted to thank all of you that take the time and post and respond. You are so caring, kind and lovely. Thanks for being here. Ellie.



chemotherapy
  • Kiwi_Angel's avatar
    Kiwi_Angel
    Member
    7 years ago
    @Ellie_Goli I managed to work most of chemo. I would just have my chemo day off then work Tuesday, Wednesday and then be off from Thursday till Monday or Tuesday when most of the side effects kicked in. Bone pain was the worst for me but that improved with stronger pain meds. Every cycle was different though and it is cumulative so be kind to yourself and take time off if u need it.  xoxo
  • Ellie_Goli's avatar
    Ellie_Goli
    Member
    7 years ago
    @"Kiwi Angel" - I did get that injection too so hopefully I will be fine as well. I will carry alcohol hand foam as you suggested... 
    I will be working 3 days from home and one day from office starting this week but I was stressing about it ... good to know that you continued your normal life during chemo ... that's encouraging :smile: 

    It did get real :neutral:
  • Kiwi_Angel's avatar
    Kiwi_Angel
    Member
    7 years ago
    @Ellie_Goli I carried on pretty much as normal during chemo but I had the neulasta injection after each chemo dose. I just carried around lots of alcohol hand foam and if one of the part timers at work was sick we just kept our distance. Didn’t get sick once and still haven’t yet. 

    Normal ro feel overwhelmed and down in the dumps - it’s a lot to deal with and process. It could be that chemo has made the whole situation “real” for u. I had 3 surgeries prior to chemo. 

    Ladies here  are wonderfully supportive. Don’t know what I would of done without them 

    big hugs xoxoox