Are you getting cancer treatments during COVID-19?

Keep hope Nancy. They will be able to stop these bugs. My prayers will be with you. Be strong.

I had my first monitoring scheduled for May and it was canceled. I also have a ventral hernia (from my pancreas and spleen surgical incision) that needs repair and that also got canceled. It’s huge and painful but I understand the priority.

@colleenyoung I have had 4 appointments that were to happen next week, moved out to as far as mid-June. Right now, the skin cancer surgery scheduled in my dermatologist's office is still a "go" for 3 April. My oncology center, 115 miles away, is taking all precautions, and have cancelled non-essential in-person visits, support groups, etc. My next appt with them is end of May, previously scheduled.
Ginger

My husband's Whipple is scheduled for April 14 - he will have waited 6 weeks for this final leg of his journey since his radiation ended in February (6 months of chemo prior to that). He would be crushed if this surgery were moved but I don't think they consider it elective and we have not heard anything so praying things remain a go AND I can be with him at the hospital. Right now that's not a possibility 🙁

I'm relieved to hear that most cancer procedures, testing and treatments are going ahead as planned or with some accommodations. As @pameladstone said, "cancer is not going to wait for the virus to pass."

Several of you mentioned tele-visits and phone follow-ups. Do they make you feel comforted that you don't have to travel to the hospital for care or concerned whether they will be sufficient or thorough enough?

For those of you who have had some procedures postponed, what concerns might you have?

Colleen, I will have my first tele-visit next Monday with a non Mayo provider, so I will have to let you know how that goes, especially since I have some coming up with Mayo. You asked about our concerns. I think that the visits may be shorter since the provider patient virtual visit will not take into count body language. Rather the provide will rely on a question for example “do you understand”? We as patients, may not be as truthful and admitting confusion, ergo it could make one uncomfortable. I plan to have a list of question handy as I do with most visits. My final thought is if I am coming into Mayo for labs and procedures and I was scheduled that same day to see the dr, they are still asking for Tele-Med visit. Since I am local I can make it home in time, but it doesn’t make that much sense, unless we are still under the Pandemic, as my appointment is in mid-May. Thanks

@shortshot80 .
Hi Nancy,
So good to hear from you again. The filter to catch the blood clots has been quite helpful for many. I wish you good success with that. I hope the medicine via the port is able to take care of that stubborn UTI. I'm sure you will be glad to get rid of it too!
I'm looking forward to hearing about your book! You've put a lot of work into it.
Take care and God bless you my friend!

I had my monthly labs and Onc visit last Thursday, as scheduled. I had just returned from 7 days of vacation in CO and New Mexico. They did stop us at the entrance, asked questions, took temperature and then ok to proceed (patient and 1 caregiver over age 18, if applicable). I was to have had Mohs surgery for skin cancer on my chest today but they called to cancel last week as they aren't doing any non-essential surgeries. Rescheduled to June. Next appt. and labs are April 15th so we'll see if they call to make any changes there. Hope everyone is doing fine.

I have been doing tele-med appointments with my nephrologist for 5 years because of distance. I have recently been diagnosed with a recurrence of my pancreatic cancer. Radiation treatments began last Thursday. I have 5 treatments a week. My wife came with me Tuesday because I met with my doctor after radiation. I heard today that she will no longer be allowed to enter the hospital as a visitor. Only patients will be allowed in.

Colleen,
I have mixed feeling on tele-visit.

Seeing my upcoming visit is a 1 year recheck it may not be as important to see dr in person. But he usually listen to heart, lungs and does a breast exam. Of course that will not happen. As someone else suggested, I will have my questions prepared ahead of time. I might even send them to dr via portal prior to appointment. Make sure check to see if any of your prescriptions need refill prior to appointment.

What I do not understand is why it is OK to come into clinic and have techs to do EKG and blood work, but to risky to see dr.

I did call my insurance company to make sure they will pay for tele-visit. They just recently changed their rules to allow.

I figure if tele-visit does not meet my expectations. I will request a follow up visit in person when they become available.

Laurie