Dec 2021 thread - immunocompromised during Omicron COVID

RVAdad

BACKGROUND: First post. My wife got diagnosed stage 2a two weeks ago and we get portacath next week. We are planning to start 18 weeks of pre-surgical chemo soon, which we are told will take her out of commission for three days every 3 weeks starting in January.

Question: I honestly don't know any of the protocols for dealing with being immunocompromised in normal times, much less in a pandemic. How locked down are we supposed to be? Are family members (me and the kids) supposed to wear masks in the house? Is she supposed to wear a mask around us? We have people offering to come over and help out with chores and meals. Do we allow this? With masks or no? Where can we go? Are we now under house arrest for 2022?

We are new at this and don't even know what we don't know or who to ask.

MountainMia

Hi RVAdad. I'm sorry your wife and your family are dealing with this. Cancer is always stressful and frightening, especially early in the process, but covid-times adds another layer. I recommend your wife (and you, if you are attending appointments with her) speak with her oncologist about best protocols for immune protection. I assume if you have anyone in the house, they will probably need to be fully vaccinated with 2 shots AND booster, and probably they should be wearing masks, too. But again, the oncologist is the one to give the say-so on this.

Also, and believe me I mean no offense because I know this must be scary and stressful for you, too, but YOU are not getting a portacath, nor are you starting 18 weeks of chemo soon. Thank you for helping her through all this, but the medical diagnosis and procedures are really hers, not yours together. My best wishes, sincerely, to both of you.

gb2115

I just went through 5 months of chemo, while immunocompromised and continuing to work in healthcare. It was scary on a daily basis, but the oncologist never said to stop working. I was just told to mask, stay away from people as much as possible, and lots of hand washing. Most of my coworkers were supportive but there were still a few inconsiderate ones that would unmask around me.

Definitely ask the oncologist for specifics.

SpecialK

RVAdad - what type of chemo will your spouse be receiving? If it includes Adriamycin or Taxotere, or is a combination regimen of some type, often a white cell boosting drug is also given - Neulasta, or the like. This drug stimulates the bone marrow to produce extra white cells which offers protection to the immune system. This is a drug that works in the majority of patients to help them combat opportunistic infection, but of course, is not a guarantee that you can't get sick. My college age daughter did become ill during my chemo with an upper respiratory infection - I washed her dishes and sheets, but I did not get sick, and I did receive the Neulasta injection 24 hours after each chemo infusion. Is your spouse, and your eligible household members, currently vaccinated against COVID? I have a friend currently undergoing a multi drug regimen at Dana Farber and her oncologist authorized boosters for her and her spouse during her course of chemotherapy. In your shoes, I would wash hands often, and limit non-household people, but not necessarily assume you have to be fully locked down or masked in the house. Of course, check with the oncologist on what they recommend. This is not universal, but many people work though chemo and go about their regular daily lives. I wouldn't assume the 3 days out of commission is automatic - could be less, could be more - it is hard to say beforehand. Much of this decision making on appropriate behavior could depend on how things go as chemo wears on - most oncologists closely monitor blood counts and the recommendations could be modified over the course of infusions depending on what those routine CBC tests show. Despite six rounds of a multi-drug regimen I was still able to handle all tasks I normally did (shopping/cooking/cleaning/bill paying, etc.) with no assistance, but I can only speak for myself. Wishing you both the best as you navigate this, it is indeed a challenge, but you will get through it.

1982M

I started chemo during the peak fourth wave of Covid in my area.

I had two unvaccinated kids(due to age) and one vaccinated kid. My husband worked in an office. Kids and husband wore masks while out anywhere and I rarely left. I socialized very minimally. Usually just with my parents or a vaccinated friend and we still distanced.

My kids brought home several viruses despite our best try. When one of my kids got sick I wore a mask and tried to quarantine myself in my room. A couple of times we sent our kids to stay with vaccinated grandparents once we knew it wasn't Covid. If you can get some N95 mask for her that might be good. Figure out who would help if a child brings home a cold/flu or Covid ahead of time.

The week after I finished chemotherapy I contracted a cold (currently have a cold, as does my children and my husband). We were all tested for Covid but so far it's been no worse then a regular cold. My symptoms seems to be equal to the rest of them but we're only a few days in. I also received 12 weeks of taxol and my white blood cells did lower, but not significantly.

I did get a booster just before I started chemotherapy as well. I think omicron will pose a few more challenges though then delta and you should def reach out to her oncologist.

I'm really sorry your wife and family is going through this. It's tough during Covid. I attended all appointments except 3 without support, had surgery without anyone there, had all my chemotherapy without support people and now am having another surgery and radiation without support at the appointments.

Good luck with everything.