Forum Discussion

Tingy's avatar
Tingy
Member
9 years ago

Going through chemo with young children

Hi everyone,

I've just had 1 cycle of the AC chemo treatment and since then both of my children (2.5yr old toddler who attends daycare; and 8 months old baby who is being cared at home) had been sick with different bugs.

Last week I was supposed to have my 2nd AC treatment but it has been delayed 1 week as I had a skin infection. Then over the weekend I got a temperature over 38 so had to go into ED where they took x-ray, blood and urine tests etc.  The doctors think it's viral but to be on the safe side they gave me some oral antibiotics to take home. 

I'm just wondering if anyone has gone through chemo with young children in daycare?  If so, did you get sick a lot from your kids and that in turn delayed your chemo treatment?  Did you pull them out of daycare or how do you manage your compromised immune system and kids bringing all sorts of illnesses from daycare?

Any experiences or advice are much appreciated.  Thank you!

chemotherapy
children
  • Tingy's avatar
    Tingy
    Member
    9 years ago

    I feel better knowing other mums have had similar experiences.  It's a pain when it's a viral infection because they still give you antibiotics just in case there's a bacterial component and had to delay just to make sure.

    I hope it will be smooth sailing from now on :)

  • Tingy's avatar
    Tingy
    Member
    9 years ago

    Thanks, I just got the all clear to go ahead with cycle 2 of AC this Friday.  So hopefully no more delays for the rest of my chemo treatments.  Fingers crossed! :)

  • Prue78's avatar
    Prue78
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi there

    i also went through Ac and taxol with 2 small children at daycare and they were constantly coming home sick. I have to delay 2 of my treatments bc my bloods were too low but essentially I kept the same schedule. It's tough but I just tried to be really diligent with hand washing etc. it's pretty impossible to limit kissing and hugging those little people and taking the out of care wouldn't of really helped either! Sorry I have no real advice just to say I know how it feels and it does get easier again. Xx

  • Sophollie's avatar
    Sophollie
    Member
    9 years ago

    Sorry you've had such a tough time to begin with.  I ended up with a 2 day stint in hospital as well with temps etc.  Its awful :(

    My DD is 4 and has been in daycare since she was a baby and her immune system is pretty strong so we've been happy to keep her there.  I figure hers and mine immune systems are so closely linked anyways with all the spit I've collected from her lol.  She's come home with the occasional minor cold but I've not gotten anything from her I dont think

    My son was 5 months old when I was diagnosed and we were told in no uncertain terms to keep him out of care.  His immune system was just too underdeveloped. 

    TBH, the biggest risk to us has been the people visiting.  Particularly those who assure me they are not sick and it's ok because they left their sick husband at home *eye roll*  We have had to get very strict with people coming over now but I dont limit my contact with the kids at all.  If they have temps etc though we will make arrangements for them to either stay with family or for me to go elsewhere but so far we have been lucky to not have any problems there. 

     

  • P2T's avatar
    P2T
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hello Tingy 

    Im sorry to hear of ur bad start to chemo, hopefully u improve quickly. Sending much healing energy & light. 

    I don't have kids but was staying with a friend with a toddler through my chemo treatments. She was at daycare and between her & my friend one of them was always sick. I couldn't not cuddle, kiss, read to or love this little medicinal bundle of joy. In 4 months I got one common cold.... Maybe it came from the little one, maybe not. 

    I believe my strong health/immune came from all the herbs my naturopath put me on pre surgery & all the way through chemo. 

    If u r interested in knowing more please inbox me.... Otherwise head to a recommended naturopath 

    Peace & love 

  • Claudia79's avatar
    Claudia79
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Tingy

    i have 4 doses of AC, n now I'm just finishing in 2 weeks my 12 doses of taxol (wiiiii happy dance). My boy is at pre kinder n Childcare n he gets colds all the time but as I noticed he gets better faster than me. The first time I got a cold from him it took 2 weeks n 2 courses of antibiotics. With AC I got it worst. Right now I got a cold from him but not as near as bad as when I got it while I had AC. Hang in there. Something that I did was to keep Tomas healthy, give him some vitamins. I wish u the very best!