Any exposure to the harsh treatment can trigger some rough side effects
Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing
A woman battling stage three breast cancer has revealed why you shouldn’t share a toilet with someone going through chemotherapy.
Misty Myers is currently battling a tough diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer, which she says is one of the ‘most aggressive’ and challenging forms of breast cancer to treat.
The 42-year-old is enduring an intense chemotherapy regimen which has caused many brutal side effects, including her teeth rapidly deteriorating.
The mother-of-eight has been documenting her breast cancer battle and chemo journey on TikTok, sharing the insight she gains along the way.
Misty revealed the treatment ‘kicked her butt’ in the first week as she felt sleepy, dizzy and nauseous and that is was ‘almost impossible’ to keep her eyes open.
The mother also said she struggled going to the bathroom as ‘I just constantly feel like I’m going to pass out’.
And that’s not all Misty is concerned about when going to the toilet, as she warned in a follow-up video that friends and family could become vulnerable to side effects of the harsh treatment – even if they are healthy and well – if she fails to follow a very important step.
Misty said: “If you have someone in your family that has cancer and they’re going through chemotherapy, it is recommended that the person that is receiving treatment use a separate toilet than everyone in the house.”
Misty has been documenting her cancer battle (@Lifewithmisty8/TikTok)
For households where using separate bathrooms is not possible, Misty said the person receiving chemo follows a strict protocol.
She continued: “We not only flush the toilet three times with the lid down, but we clean that toilet immediately after using it.”
The reason for taking these extra precautions comes down to the fact urine and faeces can have traces of chemotherapy – and exposure to it can prompt some harsh side effects.
Misty added: “If we use the toilet and we don’t close the lid, when you go to flush it, and the water kind of sprays up and becomes airborne or gets on the surface of anything else, someone who does not have cancer and is not receiving treatment could end up with dizziness, rash, nausea, vomiting, skin conditions, all types of bad side effects.”
Misty, who has a GoFundMe to help her with the almost $200,000 costs of chemo, radiation, surgery and medication, also said long-term effects of being exposed to chemotherapy is ‘especially serious for healthcare workers’.
@lifewithmisty8/TikTok)
She warned people who are at risk of exposure to the harsh drugs have a higher probability of developing cancer in their lives or facing fertility issues.
She added: “Most people who are on chemo end up not being able to conceive down the road – not everybody, obviously some people still have babies after receiving treatment, but it is a higher risk.”
“Please just make sure that you’re using proper precautions in your house”, Misty said to those who are having chemo, “You’re cleaning things the way that you’re supposed to be cleaning with Clorox, Clorox wipes, things like that.
“You’re flushing your toilet with the lid down multiple times and then you’re cleaning the toilet.
“You’re just being safe for everybody around you.”
@lifewithmisty8 If the person is receiving chemotherapy treatments, they should be very cautious for the friends and family that are around them by making sure you are following proper protocol. When using the bathroom are urine and feces still have a trace of chemotherapy so it is highly recommended that we flush the toilet multiple times with the lid down and clean the toilet to attempt to prevent exposure to the medication. People who are exposed to chemotherapy and up having tons of side effects ##creatorsearchinsights #chemotok #chemo #breastcancer #mycancerjourney #chemodiaries #chemotherapysideeffectssuck #symptomsofcancer #exposedtochemicals ♬ original sound – lifewithmisty8
The American Cancer Society suggests to those undergoing chemotherapy:
- Have children use a different toilet than the one you use if possible
- Flush the toilet twice after you use it – put the lid down before flushing to avoid splashing and if possible, you may want to use a separate toilet during this time. If this is not possible, wear gloves to clean the toilet seat after each use
- Sit on the toilet when you use it to cut down on splashing
- Keep the toilet lid down when you’re not using it to keep pets from drinking the water
- Always wash your hands with warm water and soap after using the toilet. Dry your hands with paper towels and throw them away
- If you vomit into the toilet, clean off all splashes and flush twice. If you vomit into a bucket or basin, carefully empty it into the toilet without splashing the contents and flush twice. Wash out the bucket with hot, soapy water and rinse it; empty the wash and rinse water into the toilet, then flush. Dry the bucket with paper towels and throw them away
