Fishing and chemotherapy

[Rodney Smith]

I was recently diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer. I had my first chemo treatments 9 days ago. The treatments are 2 days in a row and will last for 4-6 months. I’m still wiped out from round one. Is fishing a good idea? If I can get past the fatigue and nausea, it would be nice to do the thing I love. From Googling it, it seems that many say it isn’t worth the risk of infections (from small nicks and cuts) and lake water. Does anyone have any experience/advice they could share?

[Swamp Girl]

Rodney, I'm thinking a good thought for you.

 

Here's what the CDC says:

 

Quote

People with cancer who are treated with chemotherapy are more likely to get infections because of their weakened immune system.

 

However, you could wear gloves, making cuts unlikely, and your mental health is important too and fishing sure boosts my mental health. I think you should go. 

[Mike L]

I Agree, 

Take any and all precautions you can think of to protect yourself.
If you’re up to it I would go in small increments even for just 1/2 hour. 
 

Best of everything to you

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

[A-Jay]

Talk to your doctor.

 

Very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.

Really hope your treatments (as brutal as they are)

can help you.

My wife has been neutropenic for over 20 years.

(Autoimmune neutropenia)

We had to learn to 'live' with it.

 

Febrile neutropenia is a serious side effect for people with cancer who are treated with chemotherapy. When your immune system is suppressed, an oral temperature of greater than 101 F or a fever of at least 100.4 F that lasts an hour or more can be a sign of a dangerous infection.

 

Staying away from children and anyone who may showing even the slightest 

symptoms of a cold or flu has been critical.

Sadly others being contagious early on doesn't always show symptoms. 

It's all about risk over gain.

If you become sick or get an infection of any kind, 

it becomes a life threatening situation now.

Your Chemo treatment will most likely be suspended while your recover from that.

And not getting your treatments could have serious consequences.

 

Our lives changed forever with my wife's diagnosis,

We made THE number one priority in our lives

to do EVERYTHING we could to give her the best chance of survival.

It's a battle every day and it will need to continue forever.

 

You can do this, but having your mind, body & spirit

all going in the same direction, can be very beneficial.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

[Zcoker]

Consult with your doctor(s). They will give you the best possible advice and then you can decide and take it from there. 

[12poundbass]

Talk with your doctor.
 

When I went through chemo it was late fall and into the winter so fishing was winding down. I did however go on my annual hunting trip to Nebraska. We had an extensive conversation with my oncologist team about it and it was dependent on my blood counts. We also had to have a plan in place in case things went sideways while out there as well as on the 18 hour trip to get there and 18 hour trip to get back. We researched hospitals that could handle my situation. I was not allowed under any circumstances to field dress my deer which my good friends dad was more than happy to step up to the plate for that. 
 

To echo what @A-Jay said, neutropenia is no joke! I was neutropenic once and it landed me in the hospital in isolation for two weeks (not fun). 
 

I’m assuming you’re on some type of steroids (I was anyways) so you need to think about sun exposure. Fishing in my opinion is definitely doable but you need to talk to your doctor first. 
 

Keep a positive attitude throughout your treatment, it helps a ton. 

[Pumpkin Lizard]

If your doctor says it's fine, then hell yeah. The benefits for your mental well being might be immeasurable. 

 

I really hope you can.

 

 

[Dwight Hottle]

I had 6 weeks of chemo before surgery then 6 weeks after surgery. My chemo sessions lasted for 24-26 hours per session including overnight. The effects of chemo are cumulative building as you go. I was weaker at the end than the beginning. All I wanted to do was rest & build up my strength between sessions so I would be ready for the next session. Consequently I did not fish until the ordeal was over. But each person is different & the treatment schedule varies with the type of cancer you have. I would let my energy level answer your question but take all precautions as mentioned because your extremely vulnerable. 

[F14A-B]

The only thing I can offer is prayer and I hope you may fish..

[WRB]

Prayers 🙏🏻 Rodney as everyone has suggested consult your Dr and I am sure you have. Chemo depresses your ability to withstand direct sunlight so be very careful. Having gone through Cancer with my son I suggest doing what you can with caution

My wife has WM Waldensytrom Macroglobulinemia rare blood cancer and can basically do her normal activities without over doing it, rest helps recharge your body. I believe you also need to recharge your well being so if you feel like fishing go for hour instead of several hours.

Bless you and your family we are always here with support.

Tom

[geo g]

God Bless you and your family through this difficult time.  I would do whatever the doctors say, to the tie!   Trust the professionals, and don't go with info from the self taught!  It's a touchy situation, you deserve the very best possible result.  Good luck my friend, many have made it!  There will be plenty of time to fish later!  

[Flushdraw]

16 hours ago, Rodney Smith said:

I was recently diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer. I had my first chemo treatments 9 days ago. The treatments are 2 days in a row and will last for 4-6 months. I’m still wiped out from round one. Is fishing a good idea? If I can get past the fatigue and nausea, it would be nice to do the thing I love. From Googling it, it seems that many say it isn’t worth the risk of infections (from small nicks and cuts) and lake water. Does anyone have any experience/advice they could share?

The CDC is laughable. Google makes for a horrible doctor. Listen to your own body first. You know better than any doctor. Do what feels good to you. If it feels like too much, take a break. Sincerely wishing the best for you.

[GRiver]

@Rodney Smith, talk to your doctor….I’m sure he’ll tell the do’s and don’t s, with the sun, infection, etc. My wife had to wear a Fanny pack with a pump in it, she wore it for three days out of the week.

Chemotherapy affects each person differently, dosage, length, and frequency. It can even affect your ability to make rash decisions, there in the end of her treatment she had, what the doctor told me, was chemo brain, she couldn’t make simple decisions. Like, wether she wanted her shoes tied, did she want to sit up for a while or go to bed. 
 You  might want to take a friend with ya fishing, they can help ya out in those situations where you need it.

I truly wish you and loved ones the best, I’ll have you in my thoughts.

G

[Smirak]

You need any bone marrow. I’m only 4 hrs from you.

 

serious question.

[DinkDonkey30]

I have no experience on the medical side of your question. I would offer this suggestion. If the doc ok’s you fishing see if someone will go with you. Ask if they would mind helping take your fish off, or bait hooks ect. Remove as much of the risk for cuts as possible. Good luck I hope you can go fishing and treatment goes well.

[GaryH]

I can’t add anything that great people who have gone through this horrible illness hasn’t already said. My thought and prayers are with you and your family. Godspeed on a full recovery.

[Bankc]

You know your body better than anyone.  So if it says you have the energy, then you have the energy.  But play it conservatively.  Don't push yourself into becoming uncomfortable.  And if you do go, I'd definitely take precautions.  Like probably wear some gloves and bring some hand sanitizer to treat any cuts or scrapes the moment they happen. 

Also, I would probably bring a lawn chair and some live bait to just fish from the dock.  Make it easy on yourself.  Don't risk over exerting yourself if you don't need to. 

 

At the very least, I can't see much harm in just going out there and pulling up a lawn chair and staring at the water for a little while.  One of my favorite things about fishing is just relaxing in nature and taking in all of the sights, sounds and smells.  A little sunshine can do wonders for your mood sometimes. 

[NorcalBassin]

Living your life and doing things that bring you joy are huge in long term outcomes. Be smart about it (sun exposure, cuts, etc), but if you're feeling well enough to fish and want to, then heck yes go spend some time on the water.

[Columbia Craw]

Are you receiving two chemo treatments back to back or are you being provided a Nulasta (spelling) injection on the second day?  Regardless, Your body will respond in like manner after each round of chemo.  If you notice you feel pretty well on the final day or two before follow up treatment that pattern should be repeated.  If you feel physically up to short outing, the ability to do what you enjoy and feel a sense of normalcy is medicine in and of itself. However, your oncologist should weigh in first.  On those days my wife had zero appetite for anything she would crave banana cream pie.  I’ll be thinking of you.  I care so share buddy.

[Rodney Smith]

The infusions are back to back on Thursdays and Fridays once a month. Ritaxan +  Bentamustine  the first day. Just Bendamustine the second. I don’t feel that bad the days of the treatments. They mix in steroids the first day. When the steroids wear off and the chemo has time to get into my system, then I am wiped out. The doctor said not to expect to do much for 7-10 days after the treatments. I’m in sales and I love to work. When I feel a little better, I want to go make a few calls. When I do, the next day, I’m completely wiped out. I can’t seem to figure out where the line is. The doctor says the chemo effects are cumulative and will get worse with each treatment.  

[GRiver]

I’ll send ya some good mojo your way. 
In my thoughts

g

[softwateronly]

Wishing you the best!  I hope your treatment is successful and you're able to find the right balance of rest, recovery, and enjoyment.  

 

scott

[Pat Brown]

@Rodney Smith we are here for you every step of the way and if you can't even stand up to fish you can talk as much as your energy will allow with all of us about fishing to stay mentally positive and looking forward to WHEN you get you strength back.

 

Hang in there - you got this.  Bass fishing is beautiful because there's so many ways to enjoy it!

 

I recommend getting into some in depth bass fishing podcasts - I work at home at a desk and podcasts help the tedious and monotonous parts go by.  Big bass podcast and bass after dark are very fun and will give you lots of distractions and ideas for when you're ready to go bass fishing again!

 

 

Fishing has probably saved many of the lives here more times than we lead on publicly - collectively - it's a healing and therapeutic place for the mind and soul and heart.  It can help save you - I believe fully!

[Motoboss]

Chemo treatments absolutely do get more taxing as they progress. My Wife just finished her sixth round of max dose chemo and they took a toll for more days at the end than when they were first started.  
 

ASK YOUR DOCTOR as to what you can safely do and go from there. Attitude is 90% of recovery so fight like hell brother!

Do what you can when you can and accept the off days as getting better.

 

Wishes and Prayers for you and yours

[crypt]

like everyone says....talk to your Drs. see what they say. direct sunlight is not recommended for long periods. went through it with my Dad and he could stay out no more that 10-15 minutes a day.  listen to your body it will tell you what it needs. as a cancer survivor myself anything I could do that I was capable of I would do. my wife kept me in check when I tried to do to much. good luck with your treatments. if you want to chat we are all here for you.