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Are you getting cancer treatments during COVID-19?

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Mar 26, 2020

Are you getting cancer treatments at the moment? What about diagnostic tests, like blood tests, CT scans, mammography, PET scans etc? Is your surgery going ahead as planned or postponed?
I'd like to hear from you. What is like being in treatment during the COVID-19 crisis? How are you doing?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer: Managing Symptoms Support Group.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @alamogal635 "@colleenyoung A week ago Thursday, I went for my CT scan to check on any lung..." + (show)
@alamogal635

@colleenyoung A week ago Thursday, I went for my CT scan to check on any lung cancer present. I am at one year post-surgery. There was a table at the entrance and we were requied to answer an empoyees questions before b eing admitted further into the place. It was the standard stuff: id you travel outside the US int he last two weeks, do you have a dry cough, etc. I was allowed in, had the CT scan and left. Results were negative for any cancer. It was not unpleasant. My city--San Antonio, TX is now under complete lockdown. It wasn't when I went for the CT scan. Oh, my oncologist's office called and the doctor is only seeing people that need from certain cancer issues to be seen personally. Got a call from the doctor to report the results. That is how he's running his practice. Don't know about my PCP.

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@alamogal635- Good morning. Your CT results are great! I have one scheduled for the middle of June. I have an appointment with a new PCP next week. I'm hoping that the appointment will still be on. I have a bit of a cough but no other symptoms. Stay well my friend.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "I have been doing tele-med appointments with my nephrologist for 5 years because of distance. I..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

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.

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@marvinjsturing Marvin, that must be frustrating for both you and your wife. Not having a support team by your side at procedures can sometimes make the situation feel lonely. Are you up to having some quality time with her later in the day, then?
Ginger

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @mom23boys "I had my monthly labs and Onc visit last Thursday, as scheduled. I had just returned..." + (show)
@mom23boys

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.

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@mom23boys I have a MOHS procedure scheduled on 4/3 at my dermatologist's office. Twice I have checked with them, and it is still moving forward as scheduled. Perhaps because I also have a history of melanoma, they are keeping it.
Ginger

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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 27, 2020

@merpreb Thank you. It was a relief. There will be another year of every 6 months CT scan provided all is well. That is provided all stays as it is. I have to thank my new PCP for having been so thorough in her requests for all sorts of tests. I resented those tests at the time. Ha! She knew what she was doing. I will be thinking of and praying for you that you and your new PCP get along great as well as doing the same for your coming CT. scan in June. That cough could be allergies, or something else much less scary than the Corona VIrus. Keep me posted as to what all is going on my dear friend.

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marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@marvinjsturing Marvin, that must be frustrating for both you and your wife. Not having a support..." + (show)
@gingerw

@marvinjsturing Marvin, that must be frustrating for both you and your wife. Not having a support team by your side at procedures can sometimes make the situation feel lonely. Are you up to having some quality time with her later in the day, then?
Ginger

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@gingerw Yes, we are able to have quality time when I get home. Starting to notice fatigue and nausea from treatments but I have meds for the nausea. I am hoping to include my wife in the appointments with the doctor through a Messenger call or at least on speaker phone.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@gingerw Yes, we are able to have quality time when I get home. Starting to notice..." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@gingerw Yes, we are able to have quality time when I get home. Starting to notice fatigue and nausea from treatments but I have meds for the nausea. I am hoping to include my wife in the appointments with the doctor through a Messenger call or at least on speaker phone.

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Hello- @marvinjsturing. When I had my treatments I took anti-nausea meds before, during and after my treatments and before bed until I didn't feel ill anymore. I'm hoping that you can ask for more help with feeling ill. That must be miserable?

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marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 27, 2020

@merpreb I take the meds an hour before my treatment and as needed after my treatment. I am so thankful for the small blessings like feeling good when you wake up in the morning.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @marvinjsturing "@merpreb I take the meds an hour before my treatment and as needed after my treatment...." + (show)
@marvinjsturing

@merpreb I take the meds an hour before my treatment and as needed after my treatment. I am so thankful for the small blessings like feeling good when you wake up in the morning.

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@marvinjsturing- Indeed small blessings are the bomb! I took them even if I didn't feel ill- I wanted to keep up on them because I hate being sick to my stomach! lol. Hopefully, as your treatments proceed you will feel less ill. Unfortunately, fatigue is the main side effect. But I'd much rather feel fatigued!

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marvinjsturing | @marvinjsturing | Mar 27, 2020

@merpreb It's nice to be "confined" to home. I can take a nap at anytime I want to!

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mom23boys | @mom23boys | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@mom23boys I have a MOHS procedure scheduled on 4/3 at my dermatologist's office. Twice I have..." + (show)
@gingerw

@mom23boys I have a MOHS procedure scheduled on 4/3 at my dermatologist's office. Twice I have checked with them, and it is still moving forward as scheduled. Perhaps because I also have a history of melanoma, they are keeping it.
Ginger

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I hope it goes well. i have a fairly large area by my collar bone that I'm not looking forward to having removed. It's been there for a few years but getting bigger. Took breast cancer for me to start taking care of all of the other "little" things, as I call these annoyances. I'd rather put it off a bit until all of this virus stuff has passed. Too much risk for infection due to low white blood cell counts from my other treatment. Again, I hope all goes well with your Mohs.

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