We Can Get Through This

It has been almost two weeks since I last posted. At that point in time there were no cases of COVID19 in my county or borough in NJ. Things have changed. Today there are 22 cases in my county and we have one case in my small borough of ~5300 residents. Restaurants are open for take out only while bars, casinos, gyms, schools  and other businesses are closed. I am writing this as we await an update from Governor Murphy later today.

I get daily updates on the research into treatments and vaccines and risk factors from JAMA , ASCO, NCI and SGO.  It is amazing the research going on and being shared in the medical community around the world. I feel for the men, women and children who are in treatment for cancer or on trials and have to deal with this entirely new level of stress. I pray for those doctors , nurses and staff caring for coronavirus patients.

My husband and I are hunkered down with our dogs.We are washing our hands and keeping our social distance from our neighbors in our 55+ community where we are all at higher risk for the coronavirus.

But two days ago it hit me. I wasn't going to write about it but I have found over the years that it is helpful for me to write how I feel at different times.

After an e-mail exchange about something related to my community,  I felt overwhelmed and anxious. I couldn't understand the need to be discussing this topic when we were in the midst of this outbreak. That is when I flashed back to when I was in treatment. That is exactly how I felt when I was in treatment and people spoke to me about being annoyed at some insignificant incident. Who cares about that. I remembered when everyone was going out to a wedding and I was home because my counts were low. It wasn't events getting cancelled then but me having to cancel going to events which was really disappointing. Or how sad I felt when I asked if I could transfer the reservation for our  anniversary trip because I was having surgery for a recurrence the week before. I remember being so tired I couldn't get out of bed yet I could hear everyone else going about their business - mowing lawns and kids playing ball outside. I sat there and cried remembering these things. But I remembered to that it was just few months and I got through it with the help of family and friends.

This is not the first time many cancer patients have had to deal with "social distancing" and staying home due to something out of our control. We know how hard it is but we all did it because it was what what we had to do.

Now for all those people who can't see their grandchildren for two weeks (or maybe it will be a month). It was an entire year before I saw my daughter, her husband and my grandchildren because of an overseas military deployment. And right now they can not come back to the states so Skype , Facetime , phone calls and texting will have to do. So military families deal with being separated from their loved ones all the time. And with the support of other military families they get through that separation. It is not easy but it is done for a greater good.

So you see world there are many people who have had their movement restricted due to health reasons many times and there are those who are not able to live close to their grandchildren or other family member. We made it through and so can you.

Stay home, wash your hands and call, write Facetime or Skype with others so you don't loose that connection. 

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Online #coronavirus Information for Cancer Survivors

There is a lot of information available on the internet about the COVID -19 virus ( #coronavirus ) and what we know changes daily. Those with underlying conditions such as heart, lung  or kidney disease and compromised immune systems are at greatest risks. .

The best place to get your information is directly from the CDC. The page is updated regularly.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
The CDC has a special page for People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html

The WHO  ( World Health Organization) provides information at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 .

Cancer.net has a page with advice for cancer patients ( https://www.cancer.net/blog/2020-03/coronavirus-2019-what-people-with-cancer-need-know) as do a number of cancer centers. Here are a few website,

Fred Hutch  - Corona Virus : What Patients Need to Know
https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2020/03/coronavirus-what-cancer-patients-need-to-know.html

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - Novel Coronavirus(COVID-19) What You Should Know
https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

MD Anderson Cancer Center  - 2019 Novel Coronavirus Precautions
https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/becoming-our-patient/planning-for-care/coronavirus-protections.html?intcmp=HPFaces1_coronavirus_03052020

If you are like me and are interested in a visual way to see data regarding COVID-19 cases you may view Coronavirus Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE at https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

You may also want to check to see if your county has specific information about COVIS-19 for their residents like my county in NJ.(http://www.mercercounty.org/departments/division-of-public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-outbreak ) 

Remember to follow this advice:

 If you have symptoms ( Fever, Cough, Shortness of Breath) or questions regarding your specific situation, please contact your Health Care Provider .

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!