Kids and covid

[Willowsmum51]

Hi, I’m 51 and I’ve just in the last week been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian /peritoneal cancer.

I’m feeling positive that with chemotherapy I can still live! I am due to start my chemotherapy in 10 days, the main worry I have is of the chemotherapy treatment being postponed due to one of us contracting covid.

Both of my younger children are at secondary school where covid is spreading very quickly.

We’ve decided to take them out of school now as there’s only one week until the half term holidays and homeschool them and basically have a mini lockdown for us all to ensure I get the first chemotherapy without any delays but obviously going forward this is not an ideal situation.

Can anyone who has been in this situation offer any advice? What did you do while having chemotherapy if you had children of school age during covid?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

[Tulips66]

Hi Willowsmum, sorry to read of your diagnosis but great to read you are staying positive & ready to fight. I don't have children in secondary school but both my girls are in college girls & the older girl was working part-time in retail during the covid. I am on chemotherapy for first recurrence which I started last March & my white blood cells have been low which means I am at risk of getting infections. You didnt say if you children are vaccinated, both my girls are fully vaccinated so even though they are in college & out socialising a lot more now I have so far escaped from getting covid. Maybe get your kids to wash their hands well when they come home from school & hard as it is maybe don't hug them before & while you are on chemo. Do they wear masks in school, where I live masks are still worn indoors. Other than that there is not much more you can do life has to continue. Try not to stress & worry too much & hopefully you will get through the chemo ok. All the best & 🤞there will be no hiccups along the way Xx

[Marie101]

Hi Willowsmum,My daughter carried on going to primary school (year 6) while I was having treatment. She would literally strip off and go in the shower, all clothes in the washing machine, as soon as she walked through the door.

She's now at secondary school and I am currently having chemotherapy again. I'm also still working full time in a primary school. We are just cautious, wearing masks and 2 lateral flow tests a week.

I wish you and your family well x

[Callipygian]

Hi, my daughter is grown up now, and doesn't live with me. I was diagnosed in March this year and have had 6 cycles of chemo. I am very cautious (I already had M.E. even before the cancer dignosis, so was already prone to infection). Luckily, there is a downstairs cloakroom, and she and her partner wash their hands, wipe using paper towels, and then put on fresh masks. I've only met other friends and family in my garden. It must be so hard for you, with children to care for. I think you're doing the right thing in temporarily taking the kids out of school. Good luck for starting your treatment.

[Willowsmum51 in reply to Callipygian]

Thank you, good luck with your recovery and hope you are keeping well xx

[Tillymint61]

You seem to have a very sensible approach to your situation 're. COVID. If you haven't already had covid booster and flu jab run it by your oncologist as to wether you should try and get it in before chemo starts. (I was advised to get teeth check up and any treatment. Also chiropdy appointment.(all areas that can be affected by chemo at risk of infection)felt like an MOT!!)You don't mention your children's age. UK are advising that over 12 can now be vaccinated I believe. Might be worth considering if eligible. (You will be at your most vulnerable from treatment day until bloods start recovering on day 11. Maybe that the 'zero-contact' zone in the home. So very hard. Make enquiries with the school wether they can help by putting together access from home for them. ( it seemed to work last year for most) Wishing you luck sorting it and your on going treatment. X

[Willowsmum51 in reply to Tillymint61]

Hi, thank you for your reply. My children are 13 and 11, we have managed to get the 13 year old his first vaccine, the 11 year old can’t have his until he’s 12 in December and they both have had their flu jabs (my GP has been amazing at getting us all vaccinated upto date) They both have so many close friends that have tested positive for covid in the last week, it’s such a worry on top of worrying about not catching any normal infections during chemotherapy, my husband and I have both had the 3rd covid booster abd flu jabs too.

We are just going to keep them off school and away from their friends until after I have had my first round of chemo and my blood count has started to rise and re asses the situation after that. It’s a nightmare because this should be when the kids can be with their friends to take their minds off my me and my treatment but we honestly just don’t know what else to do!

I hope you are keeping well, thanks again for your reply xx

[Tillymint61 in reply to Willowsmum51]

As you say it's an anxious time just with regard to any infections when on active chemo without the addition of COVID. You have done everything you possibly can. So glad to hear your GP is on the ball. The only thing you'd be left with other than keeping them out of school and away from friends would be to ship them out to relatives. My heart goes out to you. Xxx

[Heart12345]

Hi during my chemo I was given filgastrim injections to do myself (3 days per chemo session) from day 5 to stimulate my white blood cells other ladies had this too on this site which will help I would imagine. My daughter whose older lives away from home now but maybe regular lateral flow tests on children. Has oncologist got any ideas? Xx