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Chemo and a cold

EmJane
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Hi, 

My mum had her first chemo session on Thursday, it's now Saturday and I'm ill! I have a cold and I'm sneezing and evidently ill but I'm meant to be my mum's carer while she goes through side effects from chemotherapy. I'm now terrified to go downstairs to talk to her or ask if she's okay or cook for her in case I make her ill. Can anyone help me and tell me if I'm being overly worried. Someone said she's more likely to catch infection after day 7 but this is only day 3, so can I be downstairs (obviously I'd wear a mask, wash my hands and dispose of any tissues or anything like that, and I wouldn't hug or kiss her)

I just want to sit on the other side of the sofa and watch hours of Coronation Street with her but I'm terrified. Please help!!

  • Hello EmJane

    I wanted to post a quick reply to let you know that our nurses won't be back in the office now until Tuesday so you won't get a response from them until next week. 

    Does your Mum have a number that she can call for advice? Alternatively, you could call NHS 111 for some advice and guidance about how best to move forwards over the next few days. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Thank you for your reply. I called a helpline and spoke to someone and they explained a cold is a virus and the white blood cells that are affected help fight bacteria which means that we can sit in the same room as long as we're wary of space face and hands so it's helped and we're having a Corrie marathon right now x

  • Hello EmJane, I can see from the posts that you spoke to someone and you got the information you needed.

    Hope you are feeling better and you and mum enjoyed your corrie marathon. If theres anything else we can help with then do get back to us or give us a call on our helpline. 

    Our website has some information about living with chemotherapy here in case useful for you or mum. 

    Take care and If you want to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Sarah.

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