Isolation length prior to surgery

Hi Emmpea,

I am quite interested in your post. My husband has just been diagnosed with early bowel cancer. For  2 exploratory investigations he has had a Covid test, then had to self isolate for 3 days each time. I figured I had better isolate with him. I have not been near anyone in those 3 days, nor been to any shops, but have had a walk in the fresh air with him, trying to pick on non popular places, mainly away from beaches and sticking to woods and fields. Strangely, he has not had to have a Covid test before 2 scans, or when we met with the consultant!! (just had to wear masks) We have been doing lateral flow tests, so I am carrying on with that mainly for peace of mind.

We have yet to get notice of his operation, as he is being investigated for an adrenal gland nodule, also!!! I doubt your Dad will be much of a risk, and my view is that life has to carry on regardless in such a case. I can see that hospitals don't want infection in there, and I am grateful for that. xx

Hi Emmpea. I got so used to doing things in isolation so much last year it became the norm - had to isolate for 2 weeks before hysteroscopy and covid test 3 days before. I had to drive myself to the hospital 60 miles away for a 7am start and my bestie drove my hubby to pick me up later that afternoon - early evening I was discharged. Although I'd been told to sleep separate we didn't. Did use separate towels. We always walked the dogs together, if we saw anyone we'd chat across the road. 

Same prior to the op, self isolated for 14 days, covid test 3 days prior. I was getting my shopping delivered online, wore masks to bag it, wiped down everything before putting away. My hubby doesn't even ever get a paper so no risk of him coming across anyone.

We were fortunate in the fact it was just us, whereas my sister lives in constant fear that her son who's worked throughout the pandemic in a chain store daily was in contact with the numpties who argued about wearing masks.

Since the ease of lockdown, I still wear a mask when out shopping - which is rare, prefer to get online. Haven't been out much at all in the last 18 months!

Don't forget you can zoom or skype your daughter - I know it's not the same but when we lived in Spain 15 years ago I skyped my mum and dad weekly.

Sending hugs, Barb xx

Hi Barb, thanks for your reply. I feel for anyone in the past 18+ months who have had to deal with any cancer diagnosis & had to attend everything alone, it’s such a worrying frightening time at the best of times, without what the worlds thrown at us, being alone throughout must be dreadful. It is a little easier now in that my husband was there at diagnosis with me, and could wait in reception for my scans etc. I’m just confused at the 10 day remark from the consultant then 14 on the paperwork, I know quarantine on the whole changed from early days of 14 to 10, and thought maybe it’s just a standard letter that hasnt been amended? Maybe I will ring the nurse on Monday & check with them. I will FaceTime my eldest daughter, like you say it’s not the same, I can’t hug her, or touch, but I can see her. My grandaughter is only 3 so after no more than 2 minutes runs off or wants to press the red button on the phone! I am still wearing my mask out in shops too, we live in a quiet village so can keep pretty much to ourselves, I’m just hoping I can still sit outside a bit, so need a good forecast! Take care. Arb, love Emm xx

Hi NannyAnny, thanks for your message. Firstly, sending lots of positive thoughts for your husband, I hope he gets the treatment early and all is well. 
Like I said to Barb on her response, I’m going to have a call to the nurses and check the number of days just to make sure. We are really rural, & can keep ourselves out of the way, I just want some fresh air to clear my fogged brain of all this panic so as and when I’m going to get in the garden, just keep away from shops, kids etc. My dad relies on us, we lost mum in lockdown and they were together 70 years so he’s feeling the loss massively, he’s very fit, healthier than me at 92, but cutting contact would just not be possible. He’s worrying about me, I’ve told him not to, but as we know that’s easier said than done, and no matter how old we are, they still see us as their ‘child’ at 57!  I had never heard of adrenal gland nodules before in my life until I was told I have one! Then you hear of 2 in a week!  I confess I didn’t even know where they were! I’m just hoping it doesn’t need any other treatment or connection in any way to the endometrial cancer, but as everyone says, the waiting for results is the worse part. Take care, love Emm xx

Hi Emmpea,

I had to look up where adrenal glands were!!! The consultant said he didn't think the anomaly on the gland was connected, and I've read that nasty tumours on them are rare. (Keeping fingers crossed) I'm hoping its something like my daughter had in her 20's. They discovered she had a benign growth on her pituitary gland, when her periods stopped. Some tablets sorted her out. Strange thing, after a baby things righted themselves without any pills!! xxxx

NannyAnny,well let’s definitely keep our fingers, toes, eyes, legs and anything else we can cross crossed! I’m so glad your daughter was ok. All these things we all have and have heard of but couldn’t put them on a cardboard cutout of the human body! I would have put them in my neck I think! Xx

I had to self isolate for 14 days and was 12 days in when they postponed my surgery for two weeks due to high blood sugar levels. It was so disappointing and I said that I couldn't face isolating for another two weeks. The consultant said that I only needed to do 4 days thank goodness. Deb