Joanne L. Van Bezooyen on thu 31 aug 00
Andi......
Working in clay can really take your mind off of everything. I am sure it would be
helpful to continue. I found that you can throw clay etc. with latex surgical
gloves on. Just get them to fit comfortably snug.
Could you add a touch of chlorine bleach to the slip to help kill bacterias etc?
Joanne in Tucson, AZ
Andi Bauer wrote:
> I wanted to find out if anyone else on clayart has dealt with working with
> clay during chemotherapy, or if any of the medically knowledgeable people
> might know. I will be on chemo for breast cancer for the next several
> months and my blood counts will be significantly decreased during that
> time. At my first chemo last week, I asked the chemo nurse about throwing
> (since I sometimes get hangnails) and she said that I probably shouldn't do
> it if I have any broken skin, which made sense to me; however she was
> totally unaware that clay harbors molds and bacteria (like in slip water)
> and said she really didn't know if there were other considerations. I plan
> to ask my oncologist, but am not sure if she will be as unfamiliar with
> this area as the nurse was. I am wondering whether it is safe for me to
> even be around clay (wet or dry) too much while my immunity is compromised.
> Thinking about not working in clay for 6 months is quite depressing, as I
> was looking forward to this keeping my spirits up and releasing some
> stress. Thanks for any information that anyone can provide.
>
> Andi in San Diego
> acody@ucsd.edu
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Vicki Katz on thu 31 aug 00
Andi,
I am a retired nurse & I agree, if there are any breaks in your skin, you
need to avoid exposure to bacteria. You will be immunocompromised, which
means your body cannot fight infection as it did when you were not taking
chemo. If you introduce bacteria to a cut, it may not heal or could get
worse, much worse - then you would have to take antibiotics which could delay
your chemo protocol - vicious cycle. Especially when your blood counts are
low. You see, chemo is a toxin that's purpose is to kill cancer cells,
unfortunately it often kills some other rapidly reproducing cells (like in
your gut, or the blood cells that fight infection, etc.) That is a bit of an
oversimplification.
If you have respiratory problems, I would also suggest that this is THE time
to invest in a THE BEST mask money can buy. Clay dust, vapors from firing &
various chemicals are rough on the lungs.
May I make another suggestion? This is a difficult time for anyone & I
agree, a little clay wedging might help you work out some frustration that
you may have ( I would & I am a nurse! ) But, if you cannot work in clay,
use this time to do some research ... write a paper for publication ... study
2D art or art history or design. Stretch yourself & get do some sketches or
pen & inks. Subscribe to EVERY clay magazine available ... come to NCECA in
March (they have portable chemo infusion systems that are as easy as a baby
bottle or beeper & there are IV nurses in Charlotte, I promise, for
troubleshooting. If you plan ahead, perhaps they can time your infusions so
you will have a rest during those 3 days. Just some ideas ...
You have lots going on, such an inconvenience to your clay art :o) .
Seriously, when my Mom started chemo a couple years ago, she cried in the
clinic, "I just want to go back to work!" She hated her boss & her job ...
but that loss of routine is frustrating. Plus, it is just scary ... chemo
used to be so awful, but they have great drugs now for anxiey, nausea, all
those things - ask for them, don't hesitate & the treatment for breast cancer
is so much better than it was even 10 years ago. Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely,
Vicki Katz
Lynspots@AOL.COM on thu 31 aug 00
Andi,
I went thru this process a couple of years ago, queried the group and got so
many wonderful posts. That's how I connected with Peggy Heer and Joyce Lee
and a ton of other Clayarters. What a great group.
I suppose it depends on your mixture if you have to worry about getting
infections. I threw as soon as I felt like it, usually a week after my
treatment and could hardly hold myself back from the studio. It was a life
saver. I would just get going, lining up the pots and have to go in for the
next treatment. Then back out to the studio in a week, what a joy!
Depending on the type of surgery you have had, you do have to be concerned
about lymphedema in the side the lymph nodes were removed. I have never had
any problems. Was careful with my left side for lifting and always wear
gloves when working outside.
Interesting story, a healthy friend of mine had a run in with blood poisoning
after washing chicken. Seems he had a hang nail that he thought was healed
over where the infection entered. So, in my opinion, you rolls the dice and
takes the chances.
If you can't throw, do hand work. But make something or you will go nuts. You
need the diversion. Peggy gave me a suggestion for hand built items I can
describe if you want. Very simple, "friendship pots" she called them.
Lynne Antone
Beaver Creek Arts
Olympia WA USA
Craig Martell on thu 31 aug 00
Hi Andi:
My wife was a potter, now she makes glass, and she had breast cancer 5yrs
ago and it sounds like you are going thru the same regimen that she had to
endure. So, I told her about your post and asked if she had any advice.
She said that you need to be very careful with bacteria as some of the
others who've answered said as well. If you had lymph nodes removed, your
lymph system on that side of your body will be compromised and you need to
avoid an infection. She said that an infection on your comromised side
will run rampant and may also bring on lymhpedema which can become chronic.
She has it and it's a real pain to deal with. The medical folks don't tell
you a lot about lymphedema from lymph node removal but it can be a
problem. I don't want to trouble you with this but if you take some
precautions it can be avoided. My wife has a 15 lb lift limit with her
affected arm.
She says to wear surgical gloves when you work and don't wear yourself
out. When she had chemo she couldn't work and did a lot of reading and
also thought up all kinds of things for me to cook for her. Also, if you
have problems with nausea talk to the oncology pharmacists if you can. We
did, and they gave us the best info on what can help. Her surgeon didn't
have a clue. She was having a tough time and one pharmacist did some
reasearch and found a combination of anti nausea drugs that really made her
feel better. If you can 86 the nausea, you'll be able to do more.
wishing you the very best, Craig Martell in Oregon passing on some info
from Linda Owen
miriam on thu 31 aug 00
Dear Andi,
I just got back from my 7th year as pottery counselor in a camp for
kids with cancer or certain blood disorders. The only children who have
needed gloves for clay were possibly two in all that time, because their
bodies were rejecting a transplant and their skin was failing to protect
them. We have a very complete medical staff who head hospital pediatric
oncology departments, and the head doctor gave vetoes on any programs
potentially harmful to the kids, for example horseback riding, as some
of the kids are in weakened shape from chemo. Clay passed the test just
fine, though we keep the pottery workshop as clean as possible between
the mayhem of groups of kids and counselors. We do use needle tools and
there is grog in the throwing clay, but no one has ever suffered unduly
even in the case of a little scrape. We did have one worried
hemophiliac who rejected the use of needle tools. And the kids do use
gloves for the raw glaze phase, just to keep them a little cleaner, and
even now that all glazes with any questionable ingredients have long
since hit the dustbin.
Clay work probably raises enough endorphins to more than compensate for
any tiny potential bacteria issues. If thinking about not working in
clay for 6 months is "quite depressing," as you say, then please do not
stop. Joy in life is everything when you are dealing with cancer.
Don't overdo it if you feel tired, and see if someone will keep your
studio mopped for you, but keep on keepin' on.
Good luck with the chemo. Let us know how it's going.
Mimi Stadler in Hillside, NJ
Andi Bauer wrote:
>
> I wanted to find out if anyone else on clayart has dealt with working with
> clay during chemotherapy, or if any of the medically knowledgeable people
> might know. I will be on chemo for breast cancer for the next several
> months and my blood counts will be significantly decreased during that
> time. At my first chemo last week, I asked the chemo nurse about throwing
> (since I sometimes get hangnails) and she said that I probably shouldn't do
> it if I have any broken skin, which made sense to me; however she was
> totally unaware that clay harbors molds and bacteria (like in slip water)
> and said she really didn't know if there were other considerations. I plan
> to ask my oncologist, but am not sure if she will be as unfamiliar with
> this area as the nurse was. I am wondering whether it is safe for me to
> even be around clay (wet or dry) too much while my immunity is compromised.
> Thinking about not working in clay for 6 months is quite depressing, as I
> was looking forward to this keeping my spirits up and releasing some
> stress. Thanks for any information that anyone can provide.
>
> Andi in San Diego
> acody@ucsd.edu
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Andi Bauer on fri 1 sep 00
I wanted to find out if anyone else on clayart has dealt with working with
clay during chemotherapy, or if any of the medically knowledgeable people
might know. I will be on chemo for breast cancer for the next several
months and my blood counts will be significantly decreased during that
time. At my first chemo last week, I asked the chemo nurse about throwing
(since I sometimes get hangnails) and she said that I probably shouldn't do
it if I have any broken skin, which made sense to me; however she was
totally unaware that clay harbors molds and bacteria (like in slip water)
and said she really didn't know if there were other considerations. I plan
to ask my oncologist, but am not sure if she will be as unfamiliar with
this area as the nurse was. I am wondering whether it is safe for me to
even be around clay (wet or dry) too much while my immunity is compromised.
Thinking about not working in clay for 6 months is quite depressing, as I
was looking forward to this keeping my spirits up and releasing some
stress. Thanks for any information that anyone can provide.
Andi in San Diego
acody@ucsd.edu
tgschs10 on fri 1 sep 00
Andi,
No question your immune system will be compromised while on chemotherapy. I
suspect you'll have radiation after chemotherapy. There should be less
immunosuppression with radiation because the radiation is directed at only a
small area of the body. One can think of chemotherapy as whole body
treatment and radiation as local/regional treatment. Try wearing rubber
gloves if your troubled with hang nails. Also, you should be aware that the
amount of immunosuppression varies considerably from person to person; your
white blood cell [WBC] count is a useful indicator; if that stays up in the
3000 range, you may not have any trouble out of the normal.
Having practiced oncology for 25 years, I'll have to ask a question, where
else could you get a free oncology consult except on clayart? Isn't clayart
wonderful. Be happy to talk with you if you want to give me a call.
407-876-6244
Tom Sawyer
tgschs10@msn.com
Anne Ruthven on fri 1 sep 00
When I throw for over a day, I've had trouble with sore, possibly
infected areas at the sides of my fingernails (this is with no
hangnails). I've found that keeping on 2-3 coats of fingernail polish
helps eliminate this problem (this is not a high fashion look!).
tgschs10 wrote:
>
> Andi...try wearing rubber gloves if you're troubled with hang nails.
Paulaclay@AOL.COM on sat 2 sep 00
Andi, I don't have an answer for your questions about whether you can work
with clay during chemo. But I do want to wish you good luck. Perhaps if you
are unable to work with clay during the next 6 months, you could take it as
an opportunity to read and do research on ceramic history and contemporary
potter that you may not know of now. God's speed. Paula Sibrack Marian, in
the woods of Sherman, CT
Jeanette Smith on sat 2 sep 00
Paulaclay, other than the ordinary precautions that every potter should
use, such as wearing a mask to avoid inhaling dust and fumes, there is
no reason why you can't work with clay if you're on chemo. If you have
the energy, go for it. It would be good recreational therapy as well as
a joy. Jeanette Smith, RN.
Paulaclay@AOL.COM wrote:
> Andi, I don't have an answer for your questions about whether you can work
> with clay during chemo. But I do want to wish you good luck. Perhaps if you
> are unable to work with clay during the next 6 months, you could take it as
> an opportunity to read and do research on ceramic history and contemporary
> potter that you may not know of now. God's speed. Paula Sibrack Marian, in
> the woods of Sherman, CT
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
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