How vulnerable is vulnerable?

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My 58 year old husband (Stage 4 bowel cancer) is on cycle 3 of 4 cycles of chemo. He is feeling quite good most of the time, almost normal in terms of appetite and energy levels. The main concern is he seems to struggle to hit the level for chemo each cycle due to low white blood count. This is rectified with extra injections.
My question is how cocooned should he be?
He was added to gov clinically vulnerable list today via post from NHS.
Do we hibernate as we go through the chemo?
We have two sons in their 2Os at home trying to be safe, doing lateral flow tests but after 15 months of lockdown want to get out and resume life which I know entails risks.

Need some sensible guidance as Covid risks escalate. All double vaccinated.
Thank

FormerMember over 3 years ago

Hello Tweed,

Similar to your husband I'm 59 and have been on chemo since December and constantly have my chemo regularly deferred for at least a week due to white blood cell count, even with the injections.

I've had both covid jabs but there are also the other risks of colds etc. I take sensible precautions, avoiding crowded shops, don't share cups or towels etc, ask my adult children to always wash their hands when they visit. I manage the risks as best I can whilst at the same time having some sense of normality. I have been in treatment for nearly 3 years including rounds of chemo and 5 ops and have managed to remain healthy and bug free. I think it's a case of being vigilant and everyone taking those sensible precautions. You have the added dimension of adult children living at home, I think if everyone plays their part then you can manage the risks as best you can. For me being as normal as I can is essential to keeping my mood, physical and mental health at optimum is essential.

Hope that's helpful

Martin

Tweed over 3 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Thank you. Reassuring to know we can keep on living with caution!

Keeping the kids on a tight regime of lateral flow tests but at least we van be outside.

have a good weekend

Anne