Hi there,
My dad is due to start chemo in the next couple of weeks (8 weeks, before surgery in Spring) and we're struggling to know how best to deal with things. I believe there's not exactly 'shielding' at the moment, as a rule, but it's be good to have some of our own rules so we're all on the same page! 
I think dad is pretty much planning to only go out when he walks the dog (quiet area) but should my mum be shielding too?! Is she ok to pop out to the shop, etc? They have weekly deliveries, and I can help too, but mum will really miss popping out for a bottle of milk. How about having people in the house? There'll be occasional visits from a district nurse but I'm guessing they should limit people coming and going? I want to be able to help as much as I can buy am worried about passing on this virus, especially as I have two children at secondary school. How about the kids seeing them?! And, what about getting lifts to & from hospital for appointments (some are 40 miles away)? I want to do as much of this as I can so that they are not coming into contact with lots of other people, but am I the best person as I have my own two walking Petri dishes? So far, I've been wearing a mask but it's this enough once chemo starts?
I'll be really appreciative of any advice please but I realise there's a lot there. Just hearing how other people are doing things will help greatly. I know they have the oncology nurse to talk to but this will help too.
Thanks.
Hi Dizzy21 and a very warm welcome to the online community
It's natural to worry that you're doing the right thing for your dad and it's doubly difficult at the moment with the coronavirus restrictions in place. This is a link to Macmillan's information on coronavirus guidance for people with cancer and this is their information on coronavirus and supporting someone with cancer. Both lots of information also have links to the current coronavirus advice from the UK government depending on where in the country you live.
I had a peek at your profile to see what type of cancer your dad is being treated for but you haven't completed it yet. I can see that you've joined the oesophageal cancer group so presume that is the type your dad has. If this is the case, I hope you don't mind me suggesting that you copy and paste your post from here into a new post there so that you can find out how people with oesophageal cancer are dealing with treatment during the pandemic and what precautions they and their family are taking. If you'd like to do that clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there.
When you have a minute, it would be really useful if you could pop something about your dad's journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
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"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Thank you latchbrook for your reply. I read that info before posting but it didn't seem to answer my questions. 
I guess because it's aimed at the 'carer' which will be my mum if needed. I don't live with my dad and won't be providing 'care' as such. I'll keep digging.
Hi Dizzy21
Sorry, I didn't know you'd already read the Macmillan information.
I think if you're not the carer then you'll have to follow the current government rules for the general public for the area of the UK that you live in. You could always give the Macmillan Support Line a call on 0808 808 0000 to double check. It's free to call and they're available every day from 8am to 9pm.
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"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
