Are you getting cancer treatments during COVID-19?

@fassbinder
So happy for you! Your birthday, Easter and your anniversary will be better just knowing he is ok.
My friend Gary just had the Whipple done yesterday but not at Mayo. He has insurance different from mine.
I hear all good things of the panceatic group up there. Dr. Meredith at Sarasota Memorial is Gary's dr. and he is top notch in the country for Whipple.
So far so good...
It is so hard not being able to be with him. Do they allow you to visit at Mayo?
We g
The pathology report should be in on Monday and the DR. will call me with the report...very nervous about this as they have not confirmed cancer yet.
Prayers for you..stay in touch we have patients in similar situations.
Happy Birthday, Happy Easter and Happy 33rd Anniversary.
Jeanne

My boyfriend is receiving his blood tests and chemo infusion every 2 weeks at Kaiser Santa Clara w/out interruption during Covid 19. He’s had a kidney, spleen and part of his pancreas removed; the current chemo treatments are related to the pancreas. After he completes 3 more rounds of chemo they will be looking at surgery for the nodules on his lungs. I’m grateful that my boyfriend has a wonderful oncology team for his care. Unfortunately, his immune system is very compromised and he relies on me for grocery shopping (we don’t live together) and I work FT in a healthcare clinic. I realize my boyfriend’s situation is critical but the waiting in lines and his complaints about what I’m able to buy at the store are disheartening. Fortunately, I have a therapist I’m able to see 1 x per month, but do have times when I feel overwhelmed. Thank you for this forum where I can air my feelings.

Please go to u tube and see what Pluto ( mini schnauzer has to say about the Virus-- it's really funny and it will bring a smile to everyones face. Enjoy. Keep your therapist appointment and stay safe-- I know it is difficult in these trying times. God Bless.

My boyfriend is receiving his blood tests and chemo infusion every 2 weeks at Kaiser Santa Clara w/out interruption during Covid 19. He’s had a kidney, spleen and part of his pancreas removed; the current chemo treatments are related to the pancreas. After he completes 3 more rounds of chemo they will be looking at surgery for the nodules on his lungs. I’m grateful that my boyfriend has a wonderful oncology team for his care. Unfortunately, his immune system is very compromised and he relies on me for grocery shopping (we don’t live together) and I work FT in a healthcare clinic. I realize my boyfriend’s situation is critical but the waiting in lines and his complaints about what I’m able to buy at the store are disheartening. Fortunately, I have a therapist I’m able to see 1 x per month, but do have times when I feel overwhelmed. Thank you for this forum where I can air my feelings.

My boyfriend is receiving his blood tests and chemo infusion every 2 weeks at Kaiser Santa Clara w/out interruption during Covid 19. He’s had a kidney, spleen and part of his pancreas removed; the current chemo treatments are related to the pancreas. After he completes 3 more rounds of chemo they will be looking at surgery for the nodules on his lungs. I’m grateful that my boyfriend has a wonderful oncology team for his care. Unfortunately, his immune system is very compromised and he relies on me for grocery shopping (we don’t live together) and I work FT in a healthcare clinic. I realize my boyfriend’s situation is critical but the waiting in lines and his complaints about what I’m able to buy at the store are disheartening. Fortunately, I have a therapist I’m able to see 1 x per month, but do have times when I feel overwhelmed. Thank you for this forum where I can air my feelings.

@monroeed sounds like things are a bit tough for you now so, please don’t think you have to do everything. Your boyfriend has a long way to go and if you wear out, he’ll be high and dry. I don’t think that what he wants, or you either. I agree with @mom23boys when she said to try Walmart delivery. When you have some time, sit with him and make a list of every possible thing you can think of. Put the list on the refrigerator and he can mark things that run out. Then, get on line and put in an order with Walmart (or whatever grocery you shop at). Will you try this?

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?

My concern is about precautions, not about postponement. I check in with Mayo's hematology doc twice a year for guidance. But my chemo treatments are done locally, a three hour drive from Mayo. I get infusions for 7 days on, then 21 days off. Those 7 days are frightening.

My local oncologist has a very loose disinfecting program. People go in and out the door, touching on door handles, the door, the door jamb - then they fail to use hand sanitizer, even though there is hand sanitizer in sight. There's no one watching to make sure they sanitize. The front desk lady - when she has a chance every hour or so - sprays and wipes door handles and the countertop at the window to her desk. With the same cloth she keeps laid on top of the spray bottle between wipedowns. There are no signs or notices to tell patients and caregivers exactly how to conduct themselves to help prevent virus spread. Nothing.

No one sanitizes the chair arms or the toilet rooms. Patients and caregivers sit in the waiting room, sometimes pull their masks down for comfort; no one is making sure they wear them properly or keep them on. Caregivers are not allowed into the infusion room where I'm told sanitizing takes place between patients; but seeing how the waiting room is handled, I have doubts about the procedure.

I am frustrated. I wear a mask, a shield, disinfectant wipes on my hands, a bottle of disinfectant spray in my pocket which I use every time I touch something with my wipe-covered hand. I spray my shoes after leaving, before I get into my car.

Imagine what would happen if I told the doctor all he's failing to do to prevent COVID-19 virus spread. I'd never have a decent relationship with him again, no matter how nicely I present this.