Mom was exposed to covid

[YaelAldrich]

My mother, who is being treated for bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma). She's pretty darn careful and I've been so happy her church (main socialization) has been very strict with mask and distancing protocols.

Her Minister's parents came from Korea. They stayed with relatives who caught Covid late last week. The parents (before they knew it was covid) had dinner with my mother and the other elders Sunday. The minster's parent just got diagnosed with covid yesterday. 

The minister called Mom and walked her through the BinaxNow test (thank G-d I had some accidentally sent to her!!). It's negative today. I told her to redo it Saturday and if she stays symptom free again Monday. I told her to put on her mask and wear it all the time and not to go in public.

What else can I Amazon her right now to bolster her immune system?

ETA: she's fully vaccinated plus the extra vaccine because she's got cancer. Thank G-d!

Edited October 28, 2021 by YaelAldrich
Clarification

[mommyoffive]

I would want her to talk to a doctor because of her treatment.   

Thinking so many good thoughts for her.  

[Kassia]

I hope she's okay and am sorry about the exposure.  Also thinking good thoughts for her.  

[SeaConquest]

See if her doctor will rx her fluvoxamine.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-antidepressant-fluvoxamine-drug-hospital-death

[prairiewindmomma]

She needs to contact her doctors.  Because she's at such very high risk, her oncologist may want her to do some prophylactic treatments.  

[JennyD]

1 minute ago, prairiewindmomma said:

She needs to contact her doctors.  Because she's at such very high risk, her oncologist may want her to do some prophylactic treatments.  

Yes.  I believe that one of the monoclonal antibody treatments has been authorized for compassionate use as a prophylactic in some special populations.  

[kbutton]

No advice, but prayers for your mom. 

[Pawz4me]

I think it would be a good idea to contact her oncologist. They may offer something (monoclonal antibodies, etc.). But I'll send up all the good thoughts that she got a good vaccine response and is well protected. 

[TCB]

26 minutes ago, JennyD said:

Yes.  I believe that one of the monoclonal antibody treatments has been authorized for compassionate use as a prophylactic in some special populations.  

I would definitely get in touch with her dr as they may want her to have the monoclonal treatment now or at the very least immediately she tests positive and it can take a day or so to arrange - it does in my area.

[vonfirmath]

There is hope your mom does not catch it, especially already being vaccinated.

 

My sister came down with symptomatic COVID one Saturday night after socializing with our parents that morning and my parents never caught it.

Edited October 28, 2021 by vonfirmath

[Bambam]

I'd definitely have her call her doctor and see about the monoclonal antibody treatment. 

Why do you want her to wear a mask all the time? Do you mean whenever she is out or even when she is home alone? If she's already been exposed, how will that help her? I'd definitely suggest she stay home for several days and avoid everyone else. 

If they ate at her place, I'd be tempted to suggest opening all the windows to try to air everything out - assuming the weather would cooperate. 

[YaelAldrich]

14 minutes ago, Bambam said:

I'd definitely have her call her doctor and see about the monoclonal antibody treatment. 

Why do you want her to wear a mask all the time? Do you mean whenever she is out or even when she is home alone? If she's already been exposed, how will that help her? I'd definitely suggest she stay home for several days and avoid everyone else. 

If they ate at her place, I'd be tempted to suggest opening all the windows to try to air everything out - assuming the weather would cooperate. 

I want her to wear a mask in the house because my father is there who is being treated for prostate cancer.

Yes, he's been secondarily exposed from my mother (he doesn't go to the same church) but if she becomes infected my goal is to try to keep him not sick. Dad won't wear a mask in the house.  He's been fully vaccinated plus the Moderna third shot. She's going to wear a mask while she's around him, eat at different times, and sleep in a different bedroom for now.

They ate at the church after worship. 😞 That was just reinstated. Bad timing. She says she's not going to do that anymore.

I called her family doctor and will leave a message with her oncologist too.

The doctor is supposed to call me; I'll mention both medicines.

[prairiewindmomma]

Is she someone who works off of information?  Johns Hopkins did a study this summer which talked about how vaccinated immunocompromised persons were 485x more likely to be hospitalized compared to similarly vaccinated but not immunocompromised persons if they caught covid. Fully vaccinated immunocompromised persons make up 44% of the breakthrough cases that require hospitalization. 

CDC recently updated their recommendations and included a 4th dose for immunocompromised persons. 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/health/covid-19-fourth-dose-for-the-immunocompromised/index.html

Like, there are real science driven reasons why she and your father shouldn't be anywhere near other people in indoor situations with their masks off ever right now.  I completely understand how socially isolating it is to be immunocompromised, and there's been some real grieving here as I contemplate that I may never eat inside of a restaurant again in the foreseeable future, but the average immunocompromised person cannot rely on their vaccine to keep them safe. Data in reviewed studies is showing that pretty dang clearly. 

[Pawz4me]

Interpreting studies is definitely not something I'm competent to do, but FYI -- one of the tippy top oncologists who specializes in the type of cancer my DH has just cited this study. He says that solid tumor patients (NOT blood cancer patients) appear to have similar antibody responses and durability of antibody responses as healthy patients of the same age. Solid tumor cancer patients who are being treated with immunotherapy drugs may be exceptions to that, though.

Edited October 28, 2021 by Pawz4me

[YaelAldrich]

11 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

Is she someone who works off of information?  Johns Hopkins did a study this summer which talked about how vaccinated immunocompromised persons were 485x more likely to be hospitalized compared to similarly vaccinated but not immunocompromised persons if they caught covid. Fully vaccinated immunocompromised persons make up 44% of the breakthrough cases that require hospitalization. 

CDC recently updated their recommendations and included a 4th dose for immunocompromised persons. 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/health/covid-19-fourth-dose-for-the-immunocompromised/index.html

Like, there are real science driven reasons why she and your father shouldn't be anywhere near other people in indoor situations with their masks off ever right now.  I completely understand how socially isolating it is to be immunocompromised, and there's been some real grieving here as I contemplate that I may never eat inside of a restaurant again in the foreseeable future, but the average immunocompromised person cannot rely on their vaccine to keep them safe. Data in reviewed studies is showing that pretty dang clearly. 

She is but then again her cancer is not curable. Her doctor gave her 6-12 months to live 3 years ago. It is stable but this cancer is not going away.

Her church and communal work is very important to her. And her church and community has been rather careful. They were still doing inside car services until the summer and handing out food to take home instead of communal meals until last month.  She does go out to eat with a small number of friends (including her chemo nurse!). It is usually one on one and always on off hours so she tries to mitigate the risk somewhat. 

She does try to stay safe but I can't be the one to keep her from everything for the rest of her life. I ask her to be as safe as she can reasonably be. We test and isolate before we visit her and don't run around during the visits.

Thank you for the hard numbers and knowledge. I know you mean well. ♥️

 

[prairiewindmomma]

11 minutes ago, YaelAldrich said:

She is but then again her cancer is not curable. Her doctor gave her 6-12 months to live 3 years ago. It is stable but this cancer is not going away.

Her church and communal work is very important to her. And her church and community has been rather careful. They were still doing inside car services until the summer and handing out food to take home instead of communal meals until last month.  She does go out to eat with a small number of friends (including her chemo nurse!). It is usually one on one and always on off hours so she tries to mitigate the risk somewhat. 

She does try to stay safe but I can't be the one to keep her from everything for the rest of her life. I ask her to be as safe as she can reasonably be. We test and isolate before we visit her and don't run around during the visits.

Thank you for the hard numbers and knowledge. I know you mean well. ♥️

 

I understand why she would make the choices she does with that additional information. Much love to all of you!

[TravelingChris]

10 minutes ago, YaelAldrich said:

She is but then again her cancer is not curable. Her doctor gave her 6-12 months to live 3 years ago. It is stable but this cancer is not going away.

Her church and communal work is very important to her. And her church and community has been rather careful. They were still doing inside car services until the summer and handing out food to take home instead of communal meals until last month.  She does go out to eat with a small number of friends (including her chemo nurse!). It is usually one on one and always on off hours so she tries to mitigate the risk somewhat. 

She does try to stay safe but I can't be the one to keep her from everything for the rest of her life. I ask her to be as safe as she can reasonably be. We test and isolate before we visit her and don't run around during the visits.

Thank you for the hard numbers and knowledge. I know you mean well. ♥️

 

And I think that may have been the case for Colin Powell.  He was 85, had multiple myeloma, Parkinson's and had 3 vaccines.  He also may have had a limited life span and wanted to do things with his children and grandchildren, etc.  

[YaelAldrich]

UPDATE: Mom's tested negative on Saturday and Monday. No symptoms. Think we're good for now. Both her oncologist and family doctor checked in with her after my calls.

Dad didn't want to test but likewise no symptoms. I'll ask her test one more time on Wednesday. Thank you all for your prayers, advice, and good thoughts!

Edited November 2, 2021 by YaelAldrich

[sheryl]

How is your Mom doing?   🙏

[YaelAldrich]

14 minutes ago, sheryl said:

How is your Mom doing?   🙏

Talked to her briefly today. She is fine, no symptoms, negative test. She's chilly at night so I bought her an electric blanket.

I ordered more Binax tests to get Sam's Club and she can pick them up tomorrow. We need more for Thanksgiving and her birthday trip we are taking her on next month to Panama. She is so excited! So are we!

Thank you ask for your love and caring!