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COVID AND MAINTENANCE CHEMOTHERAPY

Glann
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  • 35 subscribers
  • 141 views

HI, I am sure you get a lot of these questions! I have NHL follicular and have sucessfully had 6 rounds of chemo and now on two year maintenance plan. All as going really well until 27th Februrary for the first time ever I contracted COVID and so did my husband. We were both unwell for the first week, and I thought I would improve, but three weeks later everyday I am getting worse. Feel very flu like, and coughing is causing concern. I did get an inhaler, but now sure if that is doing me any good. A friend of mine said she went back to the doctor and got antibiotic and a steroid but she does not have cancer. I was wondering if that route would help, as we all know virual infections are not treatable with such medicines, but she says it worked wonders!! When I cough I am quite distressed as I don't know when it will subside.. it's quite horrible really. Wondered if any one on here had similar experiences. I am due my maintenance on 4th April, but beginning to think I may not have it!.. Thanks

  • Hello Glann,

    Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Megan, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I was sorry to hear you and your husband have both contracted COVID-19 and wish you both a speedy recovery. Although, I was concerned to read that you are having ongoing and worsening symptoms from this.

    You are right in understanding that the remedy for most viral infections is plenty of rest and time, however there are treatments for COVID-19 that you may be eligible for.

    People with certain types of cancer, like non-Hodgkin lymphoma, are at a higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, despite vaccination. Infections in general can be serious and should be treated so. You might need antibiotic medication. In some cases, you might need treatment in hospital to fight off the infection.

    As we are a charity and do not have access to NHS/healthcare records or systems, we are unable to assess or furthermore recommend treatment for this and would encourage you to contact your hospital team or GP for assessment today.

    The importance of speaking with the hospital team or GP is both to be safe and hopefully prevent any unnecessary delays in your treatment.

    As you are undergoing maintenance treatment, you may have been given a 24h Oncology/Haematology helpline number. If so, we would advise you contact this number today.

    As your symptoms are ongoing and worsening, if you have difficulty getting hold of the hospital team or GP, you should contact NHS 111 so a doctor can assess you.

    I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

    The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

     

    Best wishes, Megan

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

     

    Ref MD/KDf

  • in reply to Megan D - Macmillan

    Hi. Thank you so much for this response.  I have this morning emailed my CNS team and asked if I would benefit from treatment of some sort.  Although I do keep them informed of my health progress and they said if my positive test were under 5 days I could get an antiviral...but it was over the time  and I  felt I was over the worst...but definitely am not now. I await their responses.  Thanks again.

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