hi there - how many chemo treatments have you had? i'm nine cycles in, and i'm now anemic... this is my worst side effect so far. i feel tired and out of breath. happily, i've been very lucky in terms of other common side effects.
as for the ol immune system - my counts there are low as well. this stuff is tough on us! i wash my hands a bunch... cleaned my keyboard... etc... and i don't shake hands with people etc... but otherwise, i'm just living my life. i ride my bike - i shop for food - i take the kids to the library... i just take care to keep my hands clean and if someone is ill, i ask them to not come to my office... if kids are sick, they aren't invited to play at our house... etc... so, i guess i'm taking what i consider to be reasonable precautions without placing gross limits on my daily living. does that make sense?
i have had one cold since starting chemo ... and it sucked... but i made it through. it was immediately following a business trip, so i'm pretty sure the travel had something to do with that!
so, i guess i would say keep taking precautions... but try to relax just a little..... if you go out in public, wash your hands as soon as you get home...etc...
good luck! we in minnesota have harder winters, so i think we have to be a bit more careful.... but i don't think we have to hole up and not see anyone....
lee
