Hi, I was wondering how members are dealing with the news of Covid-19 while immunosuppressed on chemotherapy?Im trying to self isolate as much as possible but it’s hard with husband working (medical) and kids. Thinking of pulling the kids from school and all extra curricular activities but that will have a big impact on them.I’d love to hear how other people are managing?

Hello @kmakm, yes we are currently working on some information regarding the coronavirus and I will update the online community as soon as this is available.

No worries. I would imagine @BCNA is working on an advice page for their website. Perhaps someone could confirm? @Caz1 Yes, as operating theatres can be readily turned into ICUs, I suspect elective surgeries might get postponed. K xox

Many thanks everyone. We have decided to pull my two youngest children out of school from Monday and my older teenager will board with a friend. Unfortunately my husband is very high risk of exposure (medical) so we are both really struggling with how to manage this, both psychologically and practically. At this stage, if he shows any sign of becoming unwell, I will go into full lock-down in the bedroom for a couple of weeks. It's so hard when we have up till now had help from grand-parents, but we are also trying to keep them well. This is really rough but I know I'm not alone. Thanks for this wonderful community.

@tsjlhm @ddon I follow Liz O'Riordan (the English BS who got BC) and she has been referring people to this:https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/covid-19-fact-sheet-and-implications-for-patients-with-cancer

Thank you for bringing up this topic @tsjlhm, I have been asking my doctors this exact question. Thank you @kmakm for the information you have provided. It is very comprehensive. I am on 3 weekly Herceptin and that puts me in the high risk category as well. Oh dear, as we don’t have enough to worry about.

Covid-19 and Chemotherapy | BCNA Online Network

16 Replies

brightspace
Member
6 years ago
We are at the stage of IF and WHEN senarios have arrived ...
If we are immune suppressed
Plan for child care at home if your health is at risk
Maybe schools will be cancelling face lessons and sport events seems likely
Not Travelling by public transport at peak hour

What is known is that it up to the individual and individual family group to plan 3-4 weeks of stay home activities
Will this happen in Australia .....very slowly it seems
Most of us are anxious already
I dont have kids to reign in and keep occupied
Good luck with the planning
Keep healthy
All the best
Bright in hope
kmakm
Member
6 years ago
No worries. I would imagine @BCNA is working on an advice page for their website. Perhaps someone could confirm?

@Caz1 Yes, as operating theatres can be readily turned into ICUs, I suspect elective surgeries might get postponed. K xox
Caz1
Member
6 years ago
Yep good question @tsjlhm
I'm wondering if my surgery will be going ahead in mid April eeeeeek

Thanks Kate for all that info. Reassuring to see it in black and white :)
PV123
Member
6 years ago
Thank you for bringing up this topic @tsjlhm, I have been asking my doctors this exact question. Thank you @kmakm for the information you have provided. It is very comprehensive. I am on 3 weekly Herceptin and that puts me in the high risk category as well. Oh dear, as we don’t have enough to worry about.
kmakm
Member
6 years ago
@tsjlhm @ddon I follow Liz O'Riordan (the English BS who got BC) and she has been referring people to this:

https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/covid-19-fact-sheet-and-implications-for-patients-with-cancer
ddon
Member
6 years ago
I am worrying about this too. 4 kids at school and one in grade 12 and I am thinking I will pull them from school from next week. There aren’t any confirmed cases in our area but I don’t trust that at all - most people don’t take their kids to the dr for a fever and cough unless they are really sick.