marieharvey
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Posts:48
I have been reading a few books about what to expect during chemo. The information is general - not specific to any particular chemo drug. I will be receiving cisplatin and gemcitabine.
The books suggest taking precautions with your body fluids (to protect others from the chemo drugs); for instance, it suggests flushing the toilet twice for the first couple of days after infusion.
It also says a condom should be used during intercourse. This didn't make my husband particularly happy (although I'm not sure I'll be feeling as well as he expects me to feel :-) )
Thoughts?
Thanks, Marie
Forums
Reply # - January 21, 2015, 09:36 AM
Marie,
Marie,
I must say I'm little overwhelmed about not easily finding info on the subject here on Grace. I could have missed it as I'm pretty sure it's been discussed at least once but I couldn't find it in a forum search. And in blog posts there are hundreds of references to gender differences using the term, sex. And intercourse only came up once with no help. I'll ask an oncologist to respond. I think your husband will be lucky to need a condemn within a day or so of chemo unless the steroids help kick start the fun. I hope we don't need to worry about being crass.
Janine
Reply # - January 21, 2015, 10:07 AM
First laugh I've had all day
First laugh I've had all day - thanks Janine. No worries about being "crass" with me! :-)
Reply # - January 21, 2015, 04:50 PM
Too funny Janine! Hopefully
Too funny Janine! Hopefully Marie's steroids will help start the fun. Over here they unkicked the fun!!!!
Marie,
I did ask this question about fluids but I was more concerned with my dog!! I know that sounds weird but she is under 2, sleeps in our bed and kisses me to wake me. I kept her away from all kisses for 7 days, made sure the toilet seat was always down and washed my hands even after blowing my nose or touching my eyes. Better safe than sorry. Oh btw, kept hubby even farther away!!! :lol:
Reply # - January 21, 2015, 05:41 PM
Here's what the Mayo Clinic
Here's what the Mayo Clinic has to say on the subject: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy/expert-answers/…
And more from the American Cancer Society: http://m.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffe…
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - January 21, 2015, 08:04 PM
The guidelines out there are
The guidelines out there are just conservative. Most concerns about sex during chemotherapy are based on the recommendation to avoid pregnancy while on chemotherapy, which damages the DNA (and the recommendation for good contraception is therefore a fair one in anyone who could have children). There is some risk of infection in someone who is immunosuppressed (generally from intensive chemo, not very likely with most outpatient regimens), but the risk is not particularly significant of a partner getting significant dangerous exposure to treatment from the actual recipient of chemotherapy. Similarly, there has never been a serious pet poisoning from exposure to chemo products in a patient's bodily fluids.
When people have little or no actual idea what to say, often because there's no actual evidence, it's easy to default to an extremely cautious recommendation, whether it's justified or not, especially if a lawyer ever had any input.
-Dr. West