So, i have breast cancer...

Hi Leila and while I am sorry about the reason that had you join us here do know it is the a good place to be when dealing with BC. I have found the ladies here so helpfull and an incredible source of both knowledge and support post being diagnosed in late Feb.

Toilet use and sharing is no problem - you just flush with the lid down and make sure you wash your hands well and like many others I also use baby wipes to wipe down the seat post flushing... One thing I was not aware of beforehand but advised by my Chemo nurse to do is to keep my used underwear separate from other dirty clothing and to wash it separately. I also went and bought up a bunch of small face washer towels which I use for private bits post showering to avoid using the body towel on the same bits just in case... I keep both undies and those towels separate (in a bucket) and I wash them separately from eberything else on the hottest cycle with prewash and extended washing cycle. Also her advice was to ensure that is always sun/line dried. Also, that is only.required during the initial.7 to.9 days post chemo then U have nothing to worry about once toxins are out off the system...

Hubby is in charge of washing so when he handles my bucket he has to wear gloves... And also a few times when I had massive hot flushes during initial post chemo days I made sure my sweaty tshirts I sleep in ended up in the same bucket.

But that is about the extent of how complicated hygiene got for me...

As far as Chemo goes and ability to work everyone is different but if you end uo on the AC regime while some work and others do not keep in mind it would make you succeptible to various bugs so if you work at reception you may need some new routines to help you minimise exposure to various germs and viruses....

Due to allergy to antibiotics I was advised to stop working and stay confined to my home most of my Chemo and when I go out I always wear a facemask. So does hubby whonis nownused to wearing it on public transport in the shops etc... Getting used to it was a bugger for him but now we have a routine and all is good. I know it may sound weird but maybe worthwhile stocking up on them and having one at work in case someone germy is in reception area would be a good idea (not all the time but maybe just during 'dangerous encounyers')... Some ladoes also suck strepsil lollies or similar antibacterial lollies when in presence of people they think may be carrying viruses...

Also worthwhile getting a flu jab and having family get them too before the treatment starts so all are minimising risk of flu making it into the household...

We all respond differently to Chemo and just remeber to plan for the worst and hope for the best as preparing for all eventualities will help you should it get hard along the way - always good to have an alternative plan in place

wishing you all the best

hugs

Jel