Cold season

[Enjoyabull]

It seems everyone is sick and I wondered how everyone handles this? Its the holidays and literally every member of my family including my boyfriend who I live with has a cold. Do I avoid them ?

[Hidden]

@Enjoyabull hi i'm jo It is quite literally impossible to stay away from people who are sick. After my surgery I had six months of chemo and it was right about this time of the year I was told to try to stay away from people who are sick and it was really hard when it was family. We told everyone if they felt sick to stay away. Talk to your family about it we tryed masks and that hand cleaner thats mostly alcohol. We tryed and I got sick right before chemo. Just do the best you can. I'm always around here somewhere so if you need to talk i'm here. Jo Taylor

[Enjoyabull in reply to Hidden]

Thats so nice of you to offer to talk to me. How long have you been living with Lung Cancer?

[brianasgranny]

When I am in crowded places or around sick people or on a plane I put Neosporin up my nose and around the outside of my nose. On a plane I do the mask too. Knock on wood , I haven't gotten sick in 4 1/2 yrs of doing this. I also use the hand gel like a madman and the lysol wipes on doorknobs, pens , refrigerator handles etc

[Enjoyabull in reply to brianasgranny]

Thank you, I am trying to do the same thing.

[kate93105 in reply to brianasgranny]

Hello, I hope this finds you well of any kind of cold or flu. You must be careful about using too much of the gel sanitizer or Lysol wipes however. We need a certain amount of bacteria to live a balanced life. Use the sanitizer when you go out, but I wouldn't use them at home if you can help it. Sanitize mostly for food borne bacteria - chicken, pork etc. I got this information from my oncology nutritionist. My best to you. Have a good day.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Let me third that suggestion! Get masks. They're available in every drugstore and supermarket. Wash your hands frequently and request they do it, too. Use disposable paper towels now too as regular towels are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. (Sorry Mother Nature but they can go into a recycle bin).

Ditto, too on the sanitizers, wipes and sprays. My caregiver and I went as far as buying one of those motion sensor soap dispensers Lysol makes for the home so I didn't have to touch a soap dish.

[Enjoyabull in reply to Denzie]

When you say caregiver I am confused. Were you sick enough at one point to need a caregiver?

[LORBIC]

Hi Enjoyabull: One of the worst things you can do is to catch a cold with COPD, stay away from anyone who is sick or you could end up with pneumonia. I haven't had much luck wearing mask, now maybe I'm not wearing the right one, I know there are different kinds out there. I clean with vinegar and water mostly and I'm always cleaning. We must take special care of ourselves very day, doesn't make a difference if it's a holiday day or not.

[Enjoyabull in reply to LORBIC]

Thats what I thought so I am not visiting anyone this Christmas.

[Hidden]

@Enjoyabull i've been living with it three and a half years. i am in remission and its been three years . if you need some one to talk to i'm here somewhere. I want every thing to turn out ok for you. You have a guardian angel who walks beside all the time she will always be there with you. Jo Taylor

[Enjoyabull in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. You are in remission from stage 4 lung cancer? Can you tell me your journey?

[kate93105]

Good morning, Even though I have COPD, emphysema, and small cell lung cancer, I have been advised by my doctors to get a yearly flu shot, keep my pneumonia shot up to date, and take a multi-vitamin. I rarely become sick. Keep hands clean and remove shoes outside front entry if need be. I am being treated with immunotherapy called Keytruda for my third bout of small cell lung cancer. It's much easier on my body than chemotherapy was. I would not keep from family and friends over the holidays. I would wear a mask if you can stand having that over your nose and mouth. Eat healthy, talk to the nutritionist at your cancer center for pointers on how to get more protein in your diet. I have found that healthy eating keeps some of the side effects of treatment down. I hope you stay well over the next few months of winter. God bless. Take good care of yourself.