vaccines (flu & pneum.) & treatment (Dr. F?)

[Guest guest]

I have a few questions to ask you all:

1) Every year at flu season, the issue of vaccine comes up. A short while ago, the question of timing of shots in relation to treatment appeared on the list. I just searched past messages. Am I correct in remembering that Dr. Furman made no statement suggesting the need to wait after treatment before getting the flu or pneumococcus shot? Does anyone else know or remember differently? I just finished FR and am wondering if I need to wait any significant time before getting the vaccines. I seem to remember him saying that the worst that could happen would be that one would have no response (depleted T-cells or something like that).

2) With regard to extended family and "herd" protection -- what about grandchildren and the flu vaccine? If they are given the flu mist (live vaccine) instead, is there a period of time during which we should avoid being near them?

3) Has anyone found out what his/her T-cell situation was after chemo? Now that I'm finished with FR, I need to decide whether or to what extent to return to my previous activities, which were somewhat risky. I'm wondering whether knowing my T-cell status would help me assess the risk of going back to working with children (exposure to infection) outdoors in the forest (possible insect and tick bites, scratches, p. ivy, sun exposure, molds, etc.). I know that the decision is bound to be mainly a subjective one based on what I want most to do, but I also don't want to invite a lot of problems....

Thanks so much for your experience and information,

Karni