I know everyone is probably sick of reading these threads but I am having a dilemma! My husband and I (sounds a bit like the Queen...) have finally decided on our plan for how we are going to deal with shielding, kids, corona in the immediate future. But two of my friends today have told me that it is "insane" and I'm now worrying a lot...
I have just finished Induction chemo for AML, having been diagnosed shortly after the lockdown. Hopefully (fingers, toes and everything else crossed) it is going to show to have been successful and I can move onto the next, less intense, consolidation stage.
My DC (8, 6 and 4) went to stay with my husband's parents down in Cornwall, because it was all so difficult at the beginning, I couldn't really shield with everyone in the house and we thought that it would be upsetting for them to see me going through chemo, not really having any escape into the normality of school, activities, playdates, etc. We were also worried on a practical level about who would care for them if, for example, my husband got sick with the virus.
They've now been away for over a month and while they've really enjoyed their "evacuation", they all three are wanting to come home. My husband is a teacher and has just had confirmation that he can wfh for the rest of this term to deliver online provision for the kids who aren't going to be back in school.
My children's school (different one) is happy to have all 3 of them in full-time from 1 June.
So our plan is, DC are coming back on Monday and have a week at home, then in school after that (they are all very keen to be back and DS's year group are due back anyway).
We're going to really put in place our "new normal" in terms of changing clothes after being out and hand hygiene next week. And I'm going to shield as much as possible in the house, but not 100% because it just isn't realistic.
I know this is not really in the spirit of the guidance, but it just seems like there is no right thing to do. The infection rates in the SW and London seem low, and I don't want the children to be away "for the foreseeable". It's also a lot to ask of my PIL, they have been amazing, but they can't take it on indefinitely.
I know that I will be still feeling unwell from chemo and DH is working from home, so it seems better for the DC to be in school - both practically and in terms of their wellbeing.
And a little part of me is worried that, what if I don't get better and I have to regret that I sent my children away instead of spending time with them? This is incredibly morbid and unlikely and I don't think like that a lot... but the thoughts are there.
Are we being insane? I'd be very interested to hear what others are doing in a similar situation.
Thanks for reading and sorry for the long spiel...
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Covid
Shielding dilemmas
38 replies
Jourdain11 · 21/05/2020 13:32
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