My family has been hit with a biggie lately which explains why I haven't been around as much lately. Long story short my DH has cancer. His chemo begins on Monday. My question is this; How can I say this? Is there any residual chemical in seman that can be harmful to a partner? What a question..... The goal is to help DH get well, not to trade one set of problems for another. A friend some yrs ago had to use condoms for protection when her DH had those seeds for prostate cancer. A very different senerio I know. I would think the chemicals in chemo would have to be excreted somewhere. Will have to ask doctor....
very personal question re: sex and chemo
- Thread starter Fach
- Start date
peanut1129
Cathlete
Dear Fach,
I don't know the answer to your question but just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about your DH. I will keep you both in my prayers and send lots of healing vibes your way. (((HUGS)))
I don't know the answer to your question but just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about your DH. I will keep you both in my prayers and send lots of healing vibes your way. (((HUGS)))
megadoo
Cathlete
Just wanted to send some more prayers your way.
Maeghan AKA megadoo
Added pics 12/1/06
December and Christmas Albums
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=megadoo2&x=15&y=7
Maeghan AKA megadoo
Added pics 12/1/06
December and Christmas Albums
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=megadoo2&x=15&y=7
banslug
Cathlete
Fach-my prayers are with you and DH as well. Hang tough. Both of you. Cancer is very tough on the spouse as well, but in a MUCH different way. Be sure to take care of yourself while you take care of DH.
On to your question. My DH passed away from leukemia in Sept '05. WHen he was diagnosed, we asked many of the same questions that you are asking now. The answer we were given, specifically, was to use a condom as much as possible. Most importantly, it was a precaution to prevent ME passing any kind of germs to DH, not neccessarily the other way around. Chemotherapy breaks down all of the blood cells (not just the bad ones or the cancer ones) and makes the patient immuno-suppressed, which means he will not be able to fight off infection as easily as he normally would.
Definitely jot down all your questions for the Doc and ask them. That's what they are there for.
I wish you and DH peace of mind, serenity, and the strength to face whatever comes to you as a family. STAY STRONG!
Gayle
On to your question. My DH passed away from leukemia in Sept '05. WHen he was diagnosed, we asked many of the same questions that you are asking now. The answer we were given, specifically, was to use a condom as much as possible. Most importantly, it was a precaution to prevent ME passing any kind of germs to DH, not neccessarily the other way around. Chemotherapy breaks down all of the blood cells (not just the bad ones or the cancer ones) and makes the patient immuno-suppressed, which means he will not be able to fight off infection as easily as he normally would.
Definitely jot down all your questions for the Doc and ask them. That's what they are there for.
I wish you and DH peace of mind, serenity, and the strength to face whatever comes to you as a family. STAY STRONG!
Gayle
>Fach-my prayers are with you and DH as well. Hang tough. Both
>of you. Cancer is very tough on the spouse as well, but in a
>MUCH different way. Be sure to take care of yourself while you
>take care of DH.
>
>On to your question. My DH passed away from leukemia in Sept
>'05. WHen he was diagnosed, we asked many of the same
>questions that you are asking now. The answer we were given,
>specifically, was to use a condom as much as possible. Most
>importantly, it was a precaution to prevent ME passing any
>kind of germs to DH, not neccessarily the other way around.
>Chemotherapy breaks down all of the blood cells (not just the
>bad ones or the cancer ones) and makes the patient
>immuno-suppressed, which means he will not be able to fight
>off infection as easily as he normally would.
>
>Definitely jot down all your questions for the Doc and ask
>them. That's what they are there for.
>
>I wish you and DH peace of mind, serenity, and the strength to
>face whatever comes to you as a family. STAY STRONG!
>
>Gayle
Gayle,
I'm so sorry to hear of you loss. I hope you had many wonderful years with your DH. Thank you for your response. I really appreciate your insight and your gracious words. Thank you.
Fach
>of you. Cancer is very tough on the spouse as well, but in a
>MUCH different way. Be sure to take care of yourself while you
>take care of DH.
>
>On to your question. My DH passed away from leukemia in Sept
>'05. WHen he was diagnosed, we asked many of the same
>questions that you are asking now. The answer we were given,
>specifically, was to use a condom as much as possible. Most
>importantly, it was a precaution to prevent ME passing any
>kind of germs to DH, not neccessarily the other way around.
>Chemotherapy breaks down all of the blood cells (not just the
>bad ones or the cancer ones) and makes the patient
>immuno-suppressed, which means he will not be able to fight
>off infection as easily as he normally would.
>
>Definitely jot down all your questions for the Doc and ask
>them. That's what they are there for.
>
>I wish you and DH peace of mind, serenity, and the strength to
>face whatever comes to you as a family. STAY STRONG!
>
>Gayle
Gayle,
I'm so sorry to hear of you loss. I hope you had many wonderful years with your DH. Thank you for your response. I really appreciate your insight and your gracious words. Thank you.
Fach
Heidisue
Cathlete
I am so sorry to hear that. I will be thinking of you and keep you in my thoughts and prayers. My mom had a brain tumor just a year ago. It's horrible to go through all that. My heart goes out to you and I wish you the best for your husband. He is very lucky to have you there for him. I don't know the answer to your question, just wanted you to know I care.
Susan,
Congrats to you for winning your battle! I think chemo must really challenge a persons fortitude. I guess I'll be finding out just how much very soon. I am very happy for you.
Thank you everyone here for your prayers and well wishes. I can't express how much "power" I find in them. They have come at just the right time. I was getting a bit down. Worry, worry, worry......
Thank you for your support.
One last question. I have found such comfort in your kind comments that it accured to me last evening that maybe I could benefit from a good cancer forum. Does anyone have first hand experience with any of them? If I found a good group [like this group] it could be a great help for DH and I.
Congrats to you for winning your battle! I think chemo must really challenge a persons fortitude. I guess I'll be finding out just how much very soon. I am very happy for you.
Thank you everyone here for your prayers and well wishes. I can't express how much "power" I find in them. They have come at just the right time. I was getting a bit down. Worry, worry, worry......
Thank you for your support.
One last question. I have found such comfort in your kind comments that it accured to me last evening that maybe I could benefit from a good cancer forum. Does anyone have first hand experience with any of them? If I found a good group [like this group] it could be a great help for DH and I.
eminenz2
Cathlete
I will tell you - from my exoerience - if you go to a cancer forum - go only during daylight - NOT AT NIGHT when you are apt to feel more desperate and overwhelmed and only for 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Egads, the times I went to the boards, I came away more depressed and terrified about what was happening to me than if I had just left it alone and asked another patient in the infusion room, or just asked my oncology nurse or doctor.
I do believe there IS such a thing as Information Overload!
I stopped going to the forums altogether because it was too much picky picky info and just plain depressing.
I am wondering if the hospital you're using would have any kind of caregivers support group, or one specifically for your husband that you could attend for help and additional info, rather than endless pages of endless names and endless posts and such.
You will find your way though, and figure out what works best for you.
Another humble opinion brought to you courtesy of -ME-!
Susan L.G.
I do believe there IS such a thing as Information Overload!
I stopped going to the forums altogether because it was too much picky picky info and just plain depressing.
I am wondering if the hospital you're using would have any kind of caregivers support group, or one specifically for your husband that you could attend for help and additional info, rather than endless pages of endless names and endless posts and such.
You will find your way though, and figure out what works best for you.
Another humble opinion brought to you courtesy of -ME-!
Susan L.G.