School reopening

[Jess]

Hi, my husband is in hospital recovering from the Whipple op, hopefully he will be home soon.. We're not sure about chemo until the results are back... But our son is due to return to school next week he is 10.Im so anxious about the possibility of covid being transmitted to my husband... I realise how important my child's education is, but I'm really worried.. Is anyone else in a similar situation? What are your thoughts?

[PCUK Nurse Dianne]

Hi Jess,

Welcome to the forum, I hope you will have some responses from the friendly family here, I appreciate many people are on holiday at present, for much the reason you have been in contact with school returning next week.

I hope your husband is recovering well from his operation and will soon be home. Jess I would suggest in these early days of your husband's recovery that his immunity would not be as low as it may be with chemotherapy. Normal 'universal precautions' (washing hands, not sneezing or coughing around your husband, and restricting visitors who may have infections) would be most important. As we have all become well used to using hand gel, this also adds an additional protective barrier from germs that are passed via this medium.

It would also be worth you touching base with your Son's dedicated teacher to highlight your situation at home and the encouragement of school hygiene. The teacher may also be in touch with you if there are concerns of any virus outbreaks (be this Covid-19 or other virus ie chicken pox etc) in the coming months.

I am sure you will find as your Son is 10 that he will have a good understanding of hygiene and decreasing risks once Dad is discharged from hospital, this may be a conversation for you to re-iterate.

If it would helpful to have a chat with us here on the support line at any time, especially once your Son has returned to school and you understand the procedures they have in place, please do be in touch with us. I hope this is helpful and gives you some reassurances.

With kind regards,

Dianne

Pancreatic Cancer Specialist Nurse

Pancreatic Cancer UK

Support line open Monday to Friday 10am- 4pm

Ph: 0808 801 0707

Email: nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk.