COVID-19 and Cancer

Prior to early 2020, the majority or people had never heard of Coronavirus. The initial news reports were worrisome to the general population, and even more so when you are in the midst of cancer treatments that are known for weakening immune systems.

A week after my surgery, my husband and I stopped for lunch in between appointments and the news was on the restaurant televisions. The news stories were dominated with horror stories of coronavirus, lockdowns in other countries, and shortages of essential supplies. We were not on lockdown, yet, but the threat was real. And scary. Our lives, and everything we knew, was about to change. Again.

Two weeks after my surgery the nation went on lockdown with the intention of slowing the spread of the virus. Suddenly we were all thrown into the world of hand sanitizers, face masks, and the newly coined term of “social distancing”. People began working from home, schools started having lessons virtually, grocery stores were limiting the number of people that could enter the building at one time, and essential workers were revered as heroes. It was a very trying, and scary time that also managed to bring out the best in many people. Challenging times always seem to do that, don’t they?

As I mentioned before, cancer patients are known to have compromised immune systems. Because of this concern my consultation with the radiation oncologist was virtual and the news was not what I was expecting. In order to minimize the number of people coming into the cancer center my radiation treatments were being postponed for 2-5 months, depending on the COVID-19 situation. The nerves went into overdrive yet again. If radiation was necessary, was there an increased risk to postpone it? How long was too long to wait? When would we start? I was ready to get this “show on the road” and get this next step of the journey underway.

My doctors all agreed to start my medication therapy while waiting for radiation to start. So, the medication was started sooner than planned and radiation started later than planned.

When the radiation oncologist agreed to start my radiation sessions they had to continue to take extreme precautions to protect their patients. Temperatures were taken outside the facility by masked nurses before I was screened and allowed access to the facility where the treatments would take place. Face masks were required at all times inside the facility, and my discussions with the doctor would continue to happen virtually even though we were both in the same building. The nurse would set me up in an exam room with an iPad and the doctor would speak with me over a FaceTime call. Strange times, but it’s what was deemed necessary to protect the cancer patients in the facility as well as the medical staff.

Half-way through my treatments I was exposed to someone who later tested positive for the virus. I had to get tested as well, before I could return for treatments. The strangest doctor appointment I ever had was a result of this exposure. I was tested, in my car, by a nurse wearing what I can only describe as a Hazmat suit. Thankfully, I tested negative and I was able to continue my treatments as planned.

How ironic that such a small cancer cell and a small virus can wreak so much havoc on the lives of so many people!

I leaned something interesting after I returned to work from medical leave… Did you know that you can eat a snack from a can of almonds with chopsticks?? LOL I had to handle paperwork that was also touched by so many people, so I discovered this trick to keep from touching the paperwork and then touching my snack when I tried to snack while working. You improvise when you need to – right?

Through the next many months COVID-19 continued to affect all aspects of my treatments and subsequent doctor visits. Temperatures were taken outside the building at the cancer center and screening had to be completed before visiting the doctor. My husband was not allowed to join me for many appointments due to the restrictions, although he still took the ride with me for support. He was able to join some appointments via a telephone call while he was waiting in the car and I was in the cancer center with the doctors. Very unprecedented times indeed, but thankfully we made it through those tough times. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

-FHL