Post surgery shielding

Hi Irishgirl16

I had my surgery during lockdown, so restrictions on everyone were still in force here. Covid has not gone away. I suppose that they are just being extra solicitous for your health, after so called Freedom Day. They wont want you going clubbing etc.

Take care of yourself. Two weeks is not such a long time to give yourself the best chance of a smooth recovery.

All the best.

Wallydug 

There's a difference between shielding and going out for a walk, popping to a quiet shop with a mask on and being generally sensible.  I've no intention of going anywhere busy, but to be told to stay home and only get delivery shopping etc as a household for 2 weeks was not what I was expecting and I wondered what other's had been advised. 

Hi Irishgirl, I was told by the nurse who discharged me just in passing really that I had to continue to isolate but she didn’t tell me for how long, I had to isolate for a week before too. I just stayed away from everyone really and didn’t go anywhere for about 10 days after the op. My daughter did come home for an hour or 2 as she had to stay in her boyfriends whilst I was isolating, just so she could see me and she stayed down the other end of the room with a mask on. 
I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy but haven’t had chemotherapy.

Diane xx

Hi Irish Girl - Hope you are a relieved as I was to have this part of the journey over.  I was told the same but to be honest it was hard.  My partner took me out for a drive every day to stop me going stir crazy. I was so glad to be allowed to drive 2 weeks after surgery, I did actually start to get quite down mentally.  Physically I feel normal now, I do the exercises and I'm going out again but being as careful as I can, wearing a mask, hand washing, distancing, not going to crowded places.  I will be shielding again prior to the radiotherapy and throughout it.  

Thanks Nora, I do think there has to be a balance with shielding and mental health.  I am lucky to live in a small village, so I can easily walk without meeting anyone. Good luck with your upcoming radiotherapy 

Hi irishgirl, I had to isolate for 7 days after surgery, it was a pain but I got through it.  My son (11years old) isolated too but my mom came round every day to help with meals and things. I didn’t have any other visitors and it probably helped me restrict what I could do as otherwise I would have probably tried to do too much.  I hope you get through it ok, as you say just need to be sensible.

Thanks, appreciate your advice

Hi Irishgirl16 I had a lumpectomy last Thursday, I wasn’t advised to isolate at all after the surgery. I have had friends visit, so I’m a bit anxious about that, but they did take lateral flow tests before calling. I think if you are sensible, you should be fine. Hope you are healing well, love Dawn x

I had my surgery in March this year and had to isolate for 10 days before it as well as 2 weeks after. I managed fine, but I'm quite happy not being out with people!

Heal quickly x