Live Chat open 2-3pm today, Post questions below. *Live chat now closed*

[RoyCastleHelpline]

Welcome, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Community, to our 'Ask the Nurse' live chat. We are here to answer YOUR questions.

For the next hour, please feel free to ask our nurse any questions about lung cancer treatments, symptoms, side effects and coronavirus. This is open to people living with lung cancer, family members, carers and those worried about symptoms.

Please type your question(s) below. Anyone wanting to speak privately in confidence should either PM us or contact us on our helpline 0800 358 7200.

Don't forget to keep refreshing the page to see the latest questions and responses.

We are here for you - throughout the pandemic and beyond - so keep the questions coming and we'll do our best to answer them for you and help reduce any anxiety you might be feeling in these worrying times.

[BenLomand]

I am looking after someone with lung cancer should we both be shielding or am I ok to go out for shopping?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to BenLomand]

Dear Ben

Welcome to the forum and our live chat session. The person who has lung cancer should be shielded, especially if they are in active treatment. For yourself you can go shopping but will require to continue with social distancing measures.

This link provides information for both the patient and those they live with on what to do and where to find support if required:

gov.uk/government/publicati...

There is further information in the following link from a group of charities called 'One cancer voice' which is specific for those that have cancer:

roycastle.org/covid-19/info...

If you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or you can call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

Ask the Nurse

The Roy Castle Support Team

[keepinghope2017]

Hello. Are you able to point me to any literature about the dealing with the emotions of looking after someone with a serious health issue. eg the guilt of arguing etc ? Thank you in advance.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to keepinghope2017]

Dear keepinghope2017

It can be very rewarding but challenging looking after someone at home, it can present many emotions, all of which are normal, but it is important to have support in these difficult times, talk about it and know you are not alone.

Macmillan support provides some good information on this:

macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...

Be gentle with yourself as caring for someone can have its own stresses and demands on patience, especially when you are not feeling at your best.

Carers UK has an online forum that you way find useful:carersuk.org/forum

Ensure you have time out for yourself if possible, which I know can be difficult in the current restrictions due to Covid-19

You may find the forum on cancer research UK has some posts on this:

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

If you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse-led helpline number on 0800 358 7200, we are back on Tuesday 14th April.

We are offering a new service called 'Keep in touch' where one of our dedicated team will provide a courtesy email or telephone once a week to see how you are if you are interested in this, this link will take you to the registration form: roycastle.org/covid-19/info...

Kind regards

Stay safe

The Roy Castle Support Team

[WillowSong in reply to keepinghope2017]

Keeping hope. I’ve spent the last 2 years caring for 2 sisters with cancer. The best thing you can do for yourself is join a support group/ forum. You will need to vent at times without judgement. Get all the outside support you can and make time for yourself.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to WillowSong]

Dear Keepinghome, thank you for your post and how wonderful you have been to care for your 2 sisters and equally how difficult that must have been for you.

It is good to hear the forum has been a place of support for you and it is a safe place to vent if need be with no judgement.

Take care of yourself and stay safe

Ask the nurse

The Roy Castle Support Team

[keepinghope2017 in reply to WillowSong]

Hi Willowsong. Thanks for your reply and I hope you are well. I am a member of forums etc myself but was hoping to find some books/ literature for my relative who is not and for various reasons does not to get support from elsewhere. I just want to try to find something to "back up" the reassurance I have been giving to them. I have tried the mcmillan sites mentioned by the admins above but have not found what I needed. Thanks again and take care xx

[Hollyhops]

Hi I feel I have a cold sneezing a lot bit of a headache runny nose chills. No cough or temperature.. For last couple of days.. I'm worried could it be symptoms of the virus I feel fine otherwise..worried...i have mild copd and asthma..

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to Hollyhops]

Dear Hollyhops

Thank you for your post and sorry to hear you are having some symptoms at present. The typical symptoms of Covid-19 are high temperature (or you feel hot to touch on your chest and back) and a new and continuous cough.

This link will take you to the guidelines for Covd-19 symptoms and what to do

nhs.uk/conditions/coronavir... and you can also check your symptoms online with NHS 24 with this link:

111.nhs.uk/covid-19/

As you are sneezing, ensure you protect others and follow the guidelines given by GOV UK: gov.uk/government/collectio...

Hope you feel well soon and if you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or you can call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

Ask the nurse

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Hollyhops in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you for your reply.. I don't have those symptoms you described.. I think I'm just being paranoid prob just a head cold. Thanks anyway much appreciated xx

[Bethsmun]

hi - my dad had a lobectomy 3 years ago for stage 1 lung cancer. no chemo after. is he more at risk if he gets covid? many thanks

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to Bethsmun]

Dear Bethsmun

Thank you for your post and hope your Dad is doing well.

Those listed in the extremely vulnerable list are for those with active cancer or in treatment that affects their immune system. If your dad has any underlying respiratory condition e.g age, COPD or severe Asthma then he would be included in those at a higher risk. If you are unsure your dad could ask his GP.

However it would be advisable that he is protected from the virus, you could choose to implement shielding methods if you feel that is what your dad would prefer for peace of mind but certainly maintain strict social distancing.

These are a reminder of the guidelines on social distancing and shielding:

gov.uk/government/publicati...

If you wish to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or you can call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

Ask the nusre

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Bethsmun in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

many thanks

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

This Live chat is now finished, our next 'live chat' is on thursday 23rd April 2-3pm. Please join us then with your questions.