I woke up this morning feeling distinctly 'under the weather', which aches, chills, nausea, etc. In other words, possible flu symptoms. Feeling no better after my cup of tea, I checked through the 'National Pandemic' website. One of the questions was about cancer, and I think this is the one that clinched my being given a reference number for flu medication. The question asked if I had 'recently' received / was currently receiving treatment for cancer. The problem with that question is that it doesn't define 'recent' or 'treatment'. It's just over 2 years now since I finished radiotherapy treatment but I still have to return to the hospital for regular check-ups. Is that treatment? Is 2 years 'recent'? Helplines are all very well, but this does hghlight the need for clear definition of terms.
Meanwhile, I'm 'watching and waiting' to see if the symptoms get worse. I don't want to take medication if I can avoid it. Aspirin/paracetemol will, I hope, control things - that's all I've ever used for flu in the past - and, of course, Nurse reassures me whenever I go to the hospital that my immunity shouldn't have been affected by radiotherapy.
Could the National Pandemic information website be overreacting and viewing all cancer survivors/patients as being the same?
Meanwhile, I'm 'watching and waiting' to see if the symptoms get worse. I don't want to take medication if I can avoid it. Aspirin/paracetemol will, I hope, control things - that's all I've ever used for flu in the past - and, of course, Nurse reassures me whenever I go to the hospital that my immunity shouldn't have been affected by radiotherapy.
Could the National Pandemic information website be overreacting and viewing all cancer survivors/patients as being the same?
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