4th round

Hi everyone,

     Well I'm starting another round , this time my doc is calling it "matinence chemo", taxol and avastin every 21 days until ??? I light up like a christmas tree I guess. Ive had one dose...my hair started to fall out again yesterday, it was JUST almost grown back..shoot (insert stronger word here). Cant have it both ways I guess. Need some advice....I work with sick children and as you all know the chemo depresses my immune system, which means these little germ buckets could be the reason for my demise. I hate the thought of quiting and filing for disability, which would be 1/2 of my yearly salary + health insurance and yet I dont want to get sick from the kids and die. Im 52, been dx since 2007. What would you do?

I would keep working with the kids.  Explain to them the precautions you must take.  Insist that they wash their hands, use tissues, etc. and pray for the best.  Even if you quit and isolate yourself, you could still come down with a terrible virus.  Live and be happy.  I hope this give you some peace of mind.

Gayle

hi there! long time no hear! i dont know if u've been following our discussions on chemotherapy & 3rd reocuurence for instance, but the new trend seems to be gemzar: your doc not for it? or have u been back to seattle? as i remember u're a school nurse: couldnt u wear a mask or something to filter out the germs, especially the first week after chemo? the way i see it, u need to keep busy to keep your mind off "u know what"! if u stay at home, that would be bad for your morale! keep the faith & battle on, hardy warrior! luv, harriet

 

On 4/18/2009 Harrietg. wrote:

hi there! long time no hear! i dont know if u've been following our discussions on chemotherapy & 3rd reocuurence for instance, but the new trend seems to be gemzar: your doc not for it? or have u been back to seattle? as i remember u're a school nurse: couldnt u wear a mask or something to filter out the germs, especially the first week after chemo? the way i see it, u need to keep busy to keep your mind off "u know what"! if u stay at home, that would be bad for your morale! keep the faith & battle on, hardy warrior! luv, harriet

 

I worked with students at a high school.  I am on Gemzar right now.  But in February I decided to stop working, once I contracted a stomach virus.  I am hesitant to working with students anylonger.  But this is a decision you must come to on ytour own.  I for one would not work with children.  You can inform them to wash hands and things like that, but who knows if they are doing it.  You will find many thins to do while on medical disability.