Pregnancy and Chemo exposure...

DH's grandfather was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer 4 weeks ago and is on radiation and chemo, i am 4 months pregnant. We have been going down there to see him every weekend since DH wants to spend as much time with him as they can since he only has a few months. Is it ok for me to be around him? DH asked this mornign and i didn't know what to say...

Re: Pregnancy and Chemo exposure...

I would ask your OB. My aunt was going through radiation and I too was concerned. I think it's certain kinds of cancer's you have to be careful with. Double check with your OB and if someone can ask your dh's grandfathers dr as well.


ETA: I meant radiation.

Message edited 3/18/2011 8:53:34 AM.

Re: Pregnancy and Chemo exposure...

My MIL was doing the same things this past year while I was pregnant. The chemo is just a pill so that's fine. There was a particular shot or IV she was getting that a nurse would have me leave the room for because if the medicine even spilled on me it could've harmed the baby! I do not remember which it was though.

Are you in the room with the radiation / MRIs? My MIL was always taken to other rooms for treatments so that wasn't the concern for us. My OB was more concerned about my being at the hospital and the possibility of my getting contagious diseases there while PG. That's why he made me limit my time at the hospital.

I used to stay at the house - take care of the dog, fix food etc. When MIL came home from the hospital, we'd visit a lot and also sometimes meet them for meals (she first barely ate then the steroids made her eat like crazy) when they were out for follow-up visits. MIL was only in the hospital the first month they diagnosed her, then again with pneumonia 2x over those months.

She's still receiving treatments. The clinical study she's in (avastin i think it's called) is a miracle drug. Her tumor had been the size of a kiwi last Easter when they found it and it is the size of a marble now.

Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you or if you want any information about the people to contact about the clinical study. Although I'm certain he's being provided great care in NY. We are down in NC so she is receiving care at the brain tumor center at Duke. Many prayers for your DH's grandfather.

Re: Pregnancy and Chemo exposure...

You need to be concerned with radiation, not chemo. If he's receiving radiation therapy, I'd talk to your OB/his doctors, but if it's just chemo, it's the same as the effect of any medicine anyone else is taking on you - none.

Message edited 3/18/2011 8:32:49 AM.

Re: Pregnancy and Chemo exposure...

My brother is going through chemotherapy right now for stage 4 colon cancer.

I raised the same question about my and the baby's safety with regards to visiting him during treatment.

They advised me I could be around him while on chemo, but not with radiation treatment.

They also advised me that if anyone, including my brother, developed a cold or if I had the sniffles, etc, I should avoid any contact with my brother as my and his immune system are compromised.

Re: Pregnancy and Chemo exposure...

I was in the same situation before my Grandfather passed. I was around him everyday through his treatments. Both chemo and radiation. One of his nurses was prego too.

I asked the Drs and they said it was fine as long as my Grandfather wasnt throwing up from the treatments.

Re: Pregnancy and Chemo exposure...

I was living with MIL while she was receiving chemo and radiation. We both asked our doctors and they said it was nothing to worry about. Ask your dr for your own reassucance though.
I was there for everything, everyday she was in the hospital, even when she was in the icu. I just always made sure to keep myself healthy and if i felt like I was at any risk I would not have went. MIL did not want me there as often as I was, she was more concerned. She died while I was still pregnant and I find comfort in knowing I was there as much as possible.