Like you and others on here @Erica I really feel the loss of the last year especially as I fought so hard to get to my remission. And yet all in all I didn’t have such a bad year in 2020. I got to have some time away and see the sea and to eat out a few times which is more than a lot of people. I completely understand the anxieties of people who are reticent about drifting back to normal again but I really feel I don’t want to waste any more of my life and need to do things again so will be doing as last year and getting out and about again whilst taking sensible precautions. My second vaccine dose is due in a couple of days and I’ll feel more confident after that. Good luck everyone with whichever path you decide to take.
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Hi Erica, thank you for your reply. As you asked, here is one of the paintings I have recently created!
Angela
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Oh @SpaceAngel what an absolutely stunning painting, just what I love and blue is my favourite colour, thanks so much.
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Hi Erica
I haven’t shielding for 16 months as I had a stem cell transplant then immediately went into national lockdown. I know how people feel about taking the leap to go out and meet people I’m terrified as following my transplant I had sepsis and then in May got pneumonia so while my health is improving my fear is still at high level.
Haven’t seen my mum for 18 months and even missed her 90th birthday so can’t wait to be able to travel to see her.
I have a small social group who used to meet regularly but although they are now able to meet outside I’m still too scared to join them.
I also lost out on three holidays I had booked last year and although one has been carried forward until August it looks unlikely to happen as there are 7 of us and quite honestly the cost of tests for us all would be prohibitive.
I have had both vaccinations but because of my disease my immune system has still not recovered completely and that worries me too.
Thank goodness for zoom as I have at least been able to connect with people online and I consider that a bonus as many people my age don’t have the necessary computer skills (including my technophobe mum).
that infection numbers continue to fall.
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Sorry meant I HAVE been shielding lol
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Oh @Penny1, I know just what you are saying.
You have done so well shielding, especially missing your mum’s 90th birthday, I can feel a delayed celebration coming on when it feels safer in the future.
Also so hard missing 3 holidays which obviously you were looking forward to.
I am glad you have had your 2 vaccinations, I feel that is a start hopefully. I got my 2nd booked today.
Yes, thank goodness for Zoom, it has really helped me, but as you rightly say some people do not have it.
Let’s just see how the next couple of months pan out,
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Hi @jumbo4 I’m so sorry for my delayed response to this! Firstly, Professor Claire Harrison is planning on studying effectiveness of the Covid vaccines in people with all kinds of MPNs, because as you know, there’s currently a gap in the research here. This page has been recently updated in case you’d like to take a look - https://bloodcancer.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccine-blood-cancer/covid-vaccine-efficacy-blood-cancer/ and you might also want to watch our recent Facebook Live talking about the research going on into vaccine effectiveness for people with blood cancer - https://fb.watch/4JhWcNCVDj/
It’s totally understandable you’re keen to know more about other options which may be available to people to people with compromised immune systems.
Regeneron have a product called REGN-COV2, which is looking at using two particular antibodies as a treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults. This is currently in trial in the US.
There is also a trial in the UK known as PROVENT, which is also looking at antibody treatment made by Astrazeneca called AZD7442. The trial is looking at whether this can offer protection to people if the vaccine doesn’t work. Please be assured that we are monitoring the research around the PROVENT and other studies will be sure to keep the blood cancer community updated.
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’d like to talk any of this through, we would be happy to help in any way that we can.
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Wow @Penny1, that’s so much to deal with even without lockdown! I completely understand how anxious you just feel. Small
Steps -‘you can only do what you feel comfortable with. Is there a possibility of meeting a friend in your garden or theirs? Sometimes too many people can be overwhelming can’t it! Zoom seems to be the norm now doesn’t it. I still don’t like it but have learned to live with it! Please take care and keep posting X
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Nicola you must be psychic I am taking the plunge and meeting a friend for coffee in the garden on Friday. It will be such a treat and I am nervously looking forward to it. Hope your second jab ges well. I had worse side effects second time but only a 24 hour fever and flu like systems so nothing major and I see it as positive because I guess that means my immune system is responding
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That’s brilliant @Penny1. I did the same today and it went really well and it was lovely to have a good catch up. A warm coat and a blanket was needed though 
I hope you have a lovely time. Let us know how it goes X
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Hi @Penny1 and @Nichola75, after the cold weather today I think I will wait a bit longer before an outside, much longed for, social interaction !!!
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I’m really looking forward to socialising properly again but think it may be some way off. In many ways my friends are more cautious than I am even though I’m the one at risk but I will take my freedoms when I can have them as I feel I’ve wasted too much of my life sitting around the house the last year. Hope your coffee goes well @Penny1 .
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Coffee Friday went well as my friend was very understanding of my situation and the weather played along. It felt like a brave achievement and I intend to take another step when non essential shops open and have a trip out a bit further to start looking for a new vehicle. I’m considering investing in a micro camper so that I can go and visit my mum without having to find somewhere to stay and then I would also be able to trot of for weekends while continuing to restrict my social interactions. Quite excited at the prospect. Hope you are all taking things at your own pace and can overcome the natural fears.
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Hi @Penny1, wow, a mini camper is exciting, I am excited for you, and it certainly seems to fit the bill perfectly.
It would be great if you could visit your mum safely.
Please let us know how the vehicle search goes.
That’s sounds like a brilliant idea and it’s great they you are starting to feel a little more confident about visits out!
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@Penny1 I fully get your spirit of adventure. I’ve been out and about this week to for a pint and a meal although in my coat as it’s been so cold all week! Great to finally be able t do something other than watch TV!
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Hi Erica, I am in remission with NHL and I asked this very question at my last Haematology telephone appointment 2 weeks ago. Their advice was to follow the government guidelines. They also advised me to look at my local figures for positive cases and if they rise then go back to shielding as local figures are more relevant than national ones. I too feel anxious about going out and about especially with this new Indian variant that has hit the news. So my plan is to keep social distancing, wear a mask everywhere, and stay away from gatherings of people. I would love to see my son and granddaughter as we haven’t seen each other since Xmas 2019. We thought we might meet in an open space somewhere but no hugs. I’m going to take it slowly. Maybe find one activity such as collecting my own medication from the pharmacy instead of having it delivered and to plan how I will do this. When that is accomplished I’ll pick another such as meeting with my son. Do let us know how you decide to come out of shielding. It’s really helpful to share ideas. Good luck. Strad.
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All very odd. Lockdown obviously has to ease at some stage (unless ‘the new normal’ includes social distancing without end 
) but having been stuck indoors for more than a year it’s not easy to ‘take the brakes off’.
I’m going to the Royal Marsden this coming Monday for the first time since Jan 2020 (with all that that entails - over an hour’s public transport in each direction). Not quite “I am going out, and I may be some time”, as Capt Oates was going to certain death, but it feels pretty momentous.
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Hi @Strad your plan sounds really sensible and as the weather warms up more appealing, please let us know how you get on.
Has anyone else got a plan for venturing out?
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Hi @BobK99 please let us know how your excursion and appointment goes to and at the Marsden and I hope it turns out better for you than Capt Oates !!!
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