Re: working w/chemo meds & BFing:

As a nurse who formerly worked in the chemo unit of the hospital, and later
as an office nurse to 2 oncologists who frequently administered chemo in the
office, I have to say that I *believe* that it's not correct that this nurse
will not be able to work w/chemo drugs while BFing.

It's *always* necessary to be careful working with chemo meds - they're
toxic, after all! But I don't see how she's going to be at any more risk for
exposure than, for example, while she was pregnant. So no, she doesn't want
to administer them to herself (needle stick/accidental spray), and she
doesn't want to handle them ungloved & in some cases unmasked. Some may need
to be mixed/drawn up/whatever under a laminar flow hood. But I don't believe
that these precautions would be different than the ones normally used during
chemo administration. No one wants a dose of these things, pregnant,
nursing, or not - but part of her professional practice must be using
appropriate safeguards & precautions.

Cathy Bargar RN IBCLC (who admittedly hasn't been anywhere near chemo for a
good many years, but recalls spending lots & lots of time/energy learning &
following appropriate chemo safety guidelines.)

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