Being Immunocompromised

Dear Gems41 

Thanks for getting in touch during what sounds like a difficult time for you just now. I’m Linda, one of the nurses from our support line.

It is important to try and avoid being exposed to infection that might make you very ill, but this shouldn’t mean that you need to avoid other people altogether.

Some people will go about day-to-day business almost as usual with no problems and others may be more susceptible to becoming unwell. Because everyone responds differently it’s really hard to say what your personal risk is likely to be

However, as CAPOX can reduce your ability to fight infection it is best to avoid other people or reduce contact with them as much as possible, if they are unwell. I appreciate this won’t be easy at the wedding, as you won’t know the health status of the other guests. So, deciding whether to attend or not would have to be personal decision.

If you do go it might be best to avoid heavily crowded areas and pay particular attention to hand hygiene. If you are eating at the reception, you can ask how your meal has been prepared to ensure it hasn’t been lying out under a heat lamp, which can increase the risk of becoming unwell.

You could call the venue and ask if you can visit, if that’s possible, unless you already know the layout. This way you can check how airy the venue is and plan for seating arrangements, again if possible, so you could perhaps be placed at the edge of the room, so you are not surrounded by lots of people.

If the wedding isn’t too far you might want to attend the ceremony only if you feel comfortable with this, and slip away afterwards, so you are not completely missing out.

In terms of going to work it might be helpful, if you can, to phone ahead and establish the health of the customers. As a result of COVID 19 many people are now used to this type of conversation. There is no harm in asking them to ventilate their house before you arrive and during your visit with them. And when you leave their house it’s good idea to sanitise your hands with and alcohol gel and then wash them with soap and water once you are able to.

We often suggest going shopping in the quieter times, to try an avoid being amongst a lot of strangers.

Many people will take their children to and from school, as long as they feel well enough. Like other social circumstances it’s best to stay in well-ventilated areas and try to only mix with people you know who are well.

It can feel really daunting to begin with, but this should ease as you find your own routine with treatment. It can take a little while to try and establish this as it can depend on any symptoms or side-effects that you experience.

If you do feel unwell it is really important to follow the guidance you have been given from the chemotherapy service. If you have any questions about this the nurses in the treatment unit should be able to help you so you are clear about what to do.

If you would like to call us or chat online, we’d be happy to hear from you. This would allow us to ask a little more of your situation and look at how we can further support and guide you.

You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email or use webchat.

Take care

Linda

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref LM/RH