Radiation Patients being around pregnant women???

My mom was just diagnosed with Lung Cancer. We're not sure of the stage yet, but she is going through some test with radioactive dyes and eventually will need probably need radiation treatments.

I asked all my doctors and all if I can be near her while going through the treatments and every single one of them gave me a different answer.

Does any of you ladies know if I can be near her after 24 hrs. or she will have to stay her distance until after all her treatments?

I'm in in my third trimester and near the end and don't want to jeopardize anything right now, but I want to be there for my mom too. I'm so torn and so stressed out over my mom being sick.

Re: Radiation Patients being around pregnant women???

I'm so sorry about your mom. I can't imagine what you're going through.

When my sister was pregnant a few years ago my uncle was going through radiation treatments. His doctor told him not to go around pregnant women or children. After talking to her doctor my sister decided that it would be ok for her to be in the same room as him but she would keep her distance.

Good luck to your mom.

Re: Radiation Patients being around pregnant women???

I'm so sorry that you are going through this. My grandfather had lung cancer and my mom was there for him the whole ride because her mother had passed 10 years earlier. I'll be praying that they caught it early enough.

As for the radiation... I planned my sisters baby shower and at the shower, her MIL's mother kept telling my sister that she couldn't get too close to her because she got some type of radiation the day before and that she wasn't allowed to be too close to pregnant ladies. She was still in the room with my sister, sat about 2 tables back from her but just keep a little bit of a distance the whole time.

Re: Radiation Patients being around pregnant women???

My Grandfather had lung cancer. I asked his drs if it was ok for me to be near him. He was in the hospital for a few weeks and they all knew i was pregnant ( I went there everyday). All his drs said it was fine for me to be near him. But I couldnt be there if he was throwing up. I'm not sure why though. One of his nurses was at the end of her 3 rd trimester. I kissed him and hugged him every chance I got. DS is perfectly fine

I'm very sorry about your mom, I hope she recovers quickly!

Re: Radiation Patients being around pregnant women???

It's a terrible disease and it truly breaks my heart. I'm sorry all you ladies had someone you love going through this as well.

Thank you so much for your prayers for my mom, she is a wonderful, strong women that only deserves the best in life. She is my best friend and I can't imagine my life without her.

It's great to hear some positive feedback, that I can be around her, because I want her to be a big part of my twins lives. I just want her to be ok, but at the same time I want to protect my unborn babies and myself. It's really one of the hardest things to ever deal with.

Thank you again for listening.

Message edited 8/12/2011 10:02:08 AM.

Re: Radiation Patients being around pregnant women???

Just wanted to send you and lots of prayers for your Mom!

Re: Radiation Patients being around pregnant women???

just want to send you lots of and for your mom

Why dont you ask your mom's doc his opinion? My obgyn told me to speak directly with a my father inlaws doc while he was going through his prostate cancer treatment

Re: Radiation Patients being around pregnant women???

Im so sorry to hear about your mom. MY MIL was diagnosed in march with lung cancer which we found out in april had spread to the brain with multiple leasion. I to was pregnant. Here is the scoop.. i have checked with oncolgist, radiation doctor and my ob. Radiation she was allowed to be around us as she was blasted with radiation and then thats it. if they are doing radioactive seed implants then no you cant be near her. If she is having a PET scan which is the test you are talking about with radioactive dye then NO you can not be around for at least 48 hours. 24 hours is minimum but 48 hour mark is better as dye begins to leave system. Radioactive treatments like i said are different. As far as CHEMO after chemo session no contact for 48 hours around children, if using same facility must flush 2 times, keep bathroom ventilated. Any questions please feel free to contact me. Like i said my MIL is going through same thing and is living with us. She is doing well. Im keeping your mom in my prayers. If you need to vent scream or cry im here. I know how hard it is especially being the mother of her grandchildren.