1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms
Moderator

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.

Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Aug 9, 2020
In reply to @sqdncnws "I am about to start my cancer treatment and it really scares me. I realize the..." + (show)
@sqdncnws

I am about to start my cancer treatment and it really scares me. I realize the chemo breaks down your immune system and right now I have a good immune system but am terrified of what is about to happen. Any words of wisdom?

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@sqdncnws The best words of wisdom I have for you is to treat yourself kindly. Take naps, go walking, get a good nights sleep, and say yes to doing something only if you feel up to it. Some of those I worked with during my years as an oncology nurse experienced only slight side effects, others, none.
You will have to be extra careful because of the virus. Let someone else do all of your errands. Explain to friends why wearing a mask is SO important.
What type of cancer do you have and what drug will you be getting?

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 10, 2020
In reply to @5qdeletion "My concern is about precautions, not about postponement. I check in with Mayo's hematology doc twice..." + (show)
@5qdeletion

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.

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@5qdeletion- This would be very concerning to me too. May I suggest speaking to your doctor about this? This is very disconcerting and unacceptable for an immunology facility. Is there anywhere else you can go?

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Aug 11, 2020

@5qdeletion - Would it be possible to anonymously report this to the Department of Health? Maybe they can inspect?

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Aug 12, 2020
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@5qdeletion - Would it be possible to anonymously report this to the Department of Health? Maybe..." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

@5qdeletion - Would it be possible to anonymously report this to the Department of Health? Maybe they can inspect?

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@astaingegerdm- Or, maybe call the Governor's office to see where the best place is to report the facility/or the attny. general

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Aug 12, 2020

@merpreb - Yes, that is another option.

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w5wiggi | @w5wiggi | Aug 12, 2020

Yes and doing as well as expected
I have been back to Mayo each month for blood work and doctors review, i am on a tablet for renal cancer
Kidney removed and now its move as a tumor to my left lung
God Bless
Harvey

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Nov 24, 2020
In reply to @monroeed "My boyfriend is receiving his blood tests and chemo infusion every 2 weeks at Kaiser Santa..." + (show)
@monroeed

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.

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Hello @monroeed,

I recall that your boyfriend was being treated with chemo after his surgery in the spring. How is he doing now?

When you last posted you said you were feeling a bit overwhelmed. How you are doing?

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jsfmc | @jsfmc | Oct 22, 2022

I'm looking for someone like me who is refusing any treatment for prostate cancer stage 4, into lymph nodes, bones, pelvic area. PSA 289, gleason score 9 Anyone ?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 29, 2022
In reply to @jsfmc "I'm looking for someone like me who is refusing any treatment for prostate cancer stage 4,..." + (show)
@jsfmc

I'm looking for someone like me who is refusing any treatment for prostate cancer stage 4, into lymph nodes, bones, pelvic area. PSA 289, gleason score 9 Anyone ?

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You may be interested in this related discussion (albeit not prostate cancer specific).
- Going my way: Decided to stop cancer treatments https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/going-my-way/

And perhaps this one:
– Talking Frankly about Living with Advanced Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/talking-frankly-about-living-with-advanced-cancer/

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