Hi. I’m 10 days past my first EC chemo. I realise that my immune system will be lowered. I have used the pegfilgrastin injection.
My 3 kids go back to their primary and secondary schools next week. How worried should I be about the germs they bring home, and what should I do about minimising the risk of infection?
They do a lot of different activities and mix with an awful lot of other kids. I’ve been wearing a mask in shops and crowded areas and sanitising my hands constantly. Is there any thing that would help further?
@bluesatsuma Hi there. Im sure the nurses will give you an answer soon but I thought I’d put my twopenn’th in, to be read or ignored as you please!
Before I started my chemo we asked the Oncologist if it was ok to go on caring for our 2 year old granddaughter 1 day a week, and see her frequently on other days. He said that children, of all ages, are most likely to have viral infections and that bacterial infections are the real danger to us. Provided usual protections are taken, handwashing, taking temperature etc are followed then we should carry on as normal. He also said that you could stay alone in your bedroom for the whole chemo and still get sepsis!
Thank you @pat. Reassuring to know. I think I’m most anxious about the kids coming into contact with someone with something nasty and passing it to me, but there’s not really a lot i can do to stop that happening. I guess i just have to take as many precautions as i can, keeping everything clean and sanitary.
Hi @bluesatsuma,
Firstly, I hope you’re doing ok.
Secondly, I would definitely tell the schools. I work at a primary school and a few years ago one of the parents of a child in my class was having chemo. We kept a close eye on the child, let mum know if there were any particular illnesses going around (in case she wanted to keep her child off for a bit) and got the sickness policy changed so that children had to be clear of symptoms for at least 48 hours before returning to school. It’s definitely worth telling them. Every little helps, right?
Sending best wishes x
Thanks @dorri . That is really helpful to know. I will inform both schools though I can’t imagine the secondary school giving two hoots.
Thank you. Hope you are well. X
It’s natural to worry about infections when on chemo especially as you have younger children.
It can be difficult to completely avoid any exposure to infection and it sounds like you are taking precautions like hand washing and mask wearing in crowded places. Most people find its best to carry on as normal possible @pat says. You explain you are on pegfilgrastim which will help your white blood cells. This information about avoiding infection when your immunity is reduced might be of interest…
You also might want to check with your treatment team that you have had any necessary vaccinations.as well.
Letting your children’s school know about your diagnosis and current treatment can help in a number of ways. @dorri explains how her school responded to a parent on chemo.
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