Can't sleep

[Alfiebhoy]

Hi, my partner has been in hospital for a few days, 3 pints of blood transfusion and starting his venetoclax retuximab journey today, my worry is, I'm still having to go out to work in a very busy front line pharmacy, any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

[Quarry]

I would say it depends on how you are coping with work. If you find you get immersed in work, it might help you to continue.

However, if you are distracted there is a possibility of you making a mistake, which in your job is not good. So if this is the case, speak to your boss. If they are reasonable (and that is an 'if'), they might give you a day or two off until your partner's situation stabilises. Time off might depend on HR policies...so if not possible, either take a day or two holiday or ask for changes in shifts (ie make up time later). However, bottom line is it is not good for you, company (highlight that to boss) or customer if you make a mistake.

[Alfiebhoy in reply to Quarry]

Thank you for your advice

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Is your worry about your partner's safety in regard to your being out among people all day and maybe bringing home the virus or other illness?

[Alfiebhoy in reply to cllady01]

Yes exactly

[SofiaDeo]

Can you wear an FFP2 at work? That will prevent you from inhaling things others may be spewing into the air. I also find phrasing any request to others to keep distanced in terms of my problem helps. Then the person feels like they are "helping me with my problem" instead of being admonished for not masking/keeping their distance. Something along the lines of "excuse me, I need to stay distanced from others" or "sorry, I have to wear this mask" or something along those lines works for me. I have had a few "Covid is a hoax" commenters but I just say "I need to wear this mask, it has nothing to do with Covid" which is a truth. I am wearing the mask to prevent ANY infection from getting to me

I leave "outdoor clothes" at the door when coming home, so any germs on shoes/clothing aren't brought into the house. Then I wash my hands. I had to put extra hooks near the front door for this. Alternately, you can change/leave clothes in bathroom. Like, shoes off inside the door, coats in coat closet, work clothes in bathroom. The idea is to not get stuff on sofa, chairs, beds, etc. And the bathroom has mostly hard surfaces & is easier to clean germs/dust/pollen off. I also wear a hat or scarf outside, so dust, pollen, and germs don't get into my hair (which would then get on my pillow for me to breathe in) There are air sanitizers/air filters that could at least be put by your bed (or wherever you spend the most time in a 24 hour period). Wiping commonly touched surfaces with soapy water (disinfectant if someone has a known flu or cold or whatever) will stop any germs at that surface. I did a number of these things before CLL due to my dust allergy, plus seasonal allergies, and it really helped. IMO it takes a few months to get to where doing these things no longer feels strange & becomes second nature.

[Alfiebhoy in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you for your advice

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Alfie, we have other caretakers of CLL members who have to work outside the home also. Hopefully some will share with you what they do.

It would help if you can change the title of your post to reflect the question of how to care for your immunocompromised partner when you have to work in the public. That could attract those who have the same situation.

(my first thought is the sleeping arrangement might need to be in separate rooms.)

A second thought is to ask your partner's CLL team what changes you need to make. Hopefully upon discharge from hospital, they will provide a written sheet of things to do. However, that doesn't always happen.

[Alfiebhoy in reply to cllady01]

Thank you appreciate your reply