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Isolation: How Do We Handle it?

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Mar 16, 2020

As boundaries are being mandated in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, these boundaries are affecting every area of our lives. Many hospitals, assisted living facilities, places of worship, libraries, restaurants, community centers are being closed to visitors and public gatherings. For many of us, these keep us from our typical ways of connecting with others and engaging with a supportive community.

What are you doing to keep yourself connected?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Mar 18, 2020

Nancy (shortshot) Fortunately I live in a small town on the coast of Oregon. One of my son's live with me. He is 65 but also has Jack 2 Mutation and is on cancer meds. He does the shopping. He also drive;s me to my appointments. When I go into the medical facility I wear a mask. I have several Radiation Appts to go to., one tomorrow 85 miles away and Next week on Monday, Wed, & Friday. Hopefully all this stops the bleeding. The doc also wants me to have surgery to have "mesh implants in my groin, hopefully to stop any clots from my legs. In as much as this is elective surgery I don't know when the surgery will take place. It will be done at OHSU in Portland when it happens. I have had over my lifetime 35 surgeries and I really don't want any more, but guess what....... I must do what the doc thinks is best for me. Radiation tomorrow 3/19 which is my 87th birthday. Fun will be had by all. Nancy

REPLY
2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @shortshot80 "Nancy (shortshot) Fortunately I live in a small town on the coast of Oregon. One of..." + (show)
@shortshot80

Nancy (shortshot) Fortunately I live in a small town on the coast of Oregon. One of my son's live with me. He is 65 but also has Jack 2 Mutation and is on cancer meds. He does the shopping. He also drive;s me to my appointments. When I go into the medical facility I wear a mask. I have several Radiation Appts to go to., one tomorrow 85 miles away and Next week on Monday, Wed, & Friday. Hopefully all this stops the bleeding. The doc also wants me to have surgery to have "mesh implants in my groin, hopefully to stop any clots from my legs. In as much as this is elective surgery I don't know when the surgery will take place. It will be done at OHSU in Portland when it happens. I have had over my lifetime 35 surgeries and I really don't want any more, but guess what....... I must do what the doc thinks is best for me. Radiation tomorrow 3/19 which is my 87th birthday. Fun will be had by all. Nancy

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Hi Nancy @shortshot80 Here's an article and video from Mayo Clinic that offers helpful tips specific to cancer patients.
- COVID-19: What patients with cancer should know https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-what-patients-with-cancer-should-know/

Even when attending appointments, you and other patients and healthcare professionals can practice good hand hygiene and where possible social distancing. You sure have a lot of miles ahead of you to go back and forth for radiation appointments. You must come home exhausted. Do you listen to music or podcasts or chat while on the road?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@alamogal635 Call/text a friend and make a date for a specific time, just like a coffee..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@alamogal635 Call/text a friend and make a date for a specific time, just like a coffee date. If you typically have coffee with more than one person, you can try a conference call - just make sure everyone knows who is initiating it. Make this a social event, trying to stay away from stressful topics. Make sure you have your favorite beverage at hand, as well as a treat if you like. If your household is a busy
one, close yourself in a room and make yourself unavailable for a time if you can (maybe trade this favor with a significant other or an older child). Sit down, call & chat. If you like video chats, do that. If you find it hard to start a non-covid conversation, or to keep one going, make a note of a topic or two of interest to both of you to steer things. Voila, a coffee date...or a tead date, a wine date, a beer break...
Or you could do like my kids used to, in pre-cell phone times, and watch a movie or TV show together by phone, commenting at commercials or pauses and rehashing it afterward.
What other ways can anyone suggest to interact remotely?
Sue

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@sueinmn My sisters, sister-in-law, and niece and I have text chats frequently

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @shortshot80 "Nancy (shortshot) Fortunately I live in a small town on the coast of Oregon. One of..." + (show)
@shortshot80

Nancy (shortshot) Fortunately I live in a small town on the coast of Oregon. One of my son's live with me. He is 65 but also has Jack 2 Mutation and is on cancer meds. He does the shopping. He also drive;s me to my appointments. When I go into the medical facility I wear a mask. I have several Radiation Appts to go to., one tomorrow 85 miles away and Next week on Monday, Wed, & Friday. Hopefully all this stops the bleeding. The doc also wants me to have surgery to have "mesh implants in my groin, hopefully to stop any clots from my legs. In as much as this is elective surgery I don't know when the surgery will take place. It will be done at OHSU in Portland when it happens. I have had over my lifetime 35 surgeries and I really don't want any more, but guess what....... I must do what the doc thinks is best for me. Radiation tomorrow 3/19 which is my 87th birthday. Fun will be had by all. Nancy

Jump to this post

Ahh, Nancy, @shortshot80, I'm glad to hear from you. Congratulations on your 87th birthday!

Let's hope you have a good day tomorrow (in spite of the radiation). I hope you and your son weather this COVID-19 storm!

REPLY
1 reply
shortshot80 | @shortshot80 | Mar 18, 2020
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi Nancy @shortshot80 Here's an article and video from Mayo Clinic that offers helpful tips specific..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi Nancy @shortshot80 Here's an article and video from Mayo Clinic that offers helpful tips specific to cancer patients.
- COVID-19: What patients with cancer should know https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-what-patients-with-cancer-should-know/

Even when attending appointments, you and other patients and healthcare professionals can practice good hand hygiene and where possible social distancing. You sure have a lot of miles ahead of you to go back and forth for radiation appointments. You must come home exhausted. Do you listen to music or podcasts or chat while on the road?

Jump to this post

Nancy (shortshot) Yes we listen to the radio, we also talk and have good conversations.We listen to "talk" radio, several fellows that have people call in and talk on various subjects. So many conversations to react to. Most of the trip is through the mountain range between Portland and the beach. Lots of static through some of the route. The drive from where I live to the area I have Radiation in is 85 miles one way. So we sometimes solve all the world's problems. Sometimes I take a nap on the way home. Radio on something for my son to listen to. Sometimes we just bs.... Sometimes we see a herd of elk and of course deer. Once a bear. The drive is pretty even when it's raining. We drive along a beautiful river and watch the fishermen. Never a dull moment. Nancy

REPLY
2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Mar 18, 2020

Some other things you Do use your library for audiobooks,DVD,s ,CD,s and they ship them to you then you return by mail. Board games Skype to see your loved ones art of any kind even if its just doodling .

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 19, 2020
In reply to @shortshot80 "Nancy (shortshot) Yes we listen to the radio, we also talk and have good conversations.We listen..." + (show)
@shortshot80

Nancy (shortshot) Yes we listen to the radio, we also talk and have good conversations.We listen to "talk" radio, several fellows that have people call in and talk on various subjects. So many conversations to react to. Most of the trip is through the mountain range between Portland and the beach. Lots of static through some of the route. The drive from where I live to the area I have Radiation in is 85 miles one way. So we sometimes solve all the world's problems. Sometimes I take a nap on the way home. Radio on something for my son to listen to. Sometimes we just bs.... Sometimes we see a herd of elk and of course deer. Once a bear. The drive is pretty even when it's raining. We drive along a beautiful river and watch the fishermen. Never a dull moment. Nancy

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Happy birthday, @shortshot80! Have a wonderful day.

REPLY
woogie | @woogie | Mar 19, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "@sueinmn -- I'm with you! I also limit the TV news time because of all the..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@sueinmn -- I'm with you! I also limit the TV news time because of all the hype, politics and misinformation being passed around. I enjoy coffee with a friend when I can and avoid crowds. I also continue to be vigilant with hand washing and not touching my face.

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Why are you having coffee with a friend? I thought we were supposed to be isolated?

REPLY
1 reply
woogie | @woogie | Mar 19, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Ahh, Nancy, @shortshot80, I'm glad to hear from you. Congratulations on your 87th birthday! Let's hope..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Ahh, Nancy, @shortshot80, I'm glad to hear from you. Congratulations on your 87th birthday!

Let's hope you have a good day tomorrow (in spite of the radiation). I hope you and your son weather this COVID-19 storm!

Jump to this post

You have certainly had a lot of surgeries. I thought I did but nothing like what you have had. God bless you and may he touch you from the crown of your head to the soles of your feet with his healing right hand. Have a blessed day.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 19, 2020
In reply to @woogie "Why are you having coffee with a friend? I thought we were supposed to be isolated?" + (show)
@woogie

Why are you having coffee with a friend? I thought we were supposed to be isolated?

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@woogie -- Coffee with a friend hasn't happened since last week but I would drive a few miles to the company where I worked for some free coffee. They have a large break room that normally has only a few workers in it at a time and the tables are spaced a good distance. Now that we are being asked to avoid gatherings, etc. I will probably stay at home unless I need groceries or drive to get some take out food.

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