I know there has been concerns raised about the virus already but I am in a quandry.
I am due to have my 10 week check up with my Haematologist on the 23rd of this month. I phoned my consultant's secretary yesterday because when I go for my check up I have my blood taken first then have to wait for the results in the waiting room. This usually takes an hour.
The waiting room is always way to hot and absolutely packed shoulder to shoulder so I am incredibly nervous about sitting in such a busy environment for so long.
I asked the consultant's secretary if I could have my blood taken at my GP practice (very small practice) and then my consultant phone me with my results. I was told that I could have my blood taken at GP's but I would still have to attend my appointment.
Does anybody agree with me that this is putting people with suppressed immunity under unnecessary risk?
I have just sat and listened to the PM's press conference and I truly believe there is so much more that the government are not telling us. I was worried that the medical professional that spoke said that it may get to the stage that there is nothing more they could do and that they may have to let it run it's course.
Maybe I am worrying for nothing but I do know other people are worried as well.
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jillydabrat
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I don’t think anyone has definitive answers. I felt similar anxiety with swine flu. I would suggest you do what think is best and what is possible for you in terms of arrangements. Here in Germany where we have far higher numbers people are critical as the govt is not saying or doing enough.
Hi Jilly, completely understand your concerns it is a situation that many people will be facing and all we can do is follow the guidance from the NHS and the government, hopefully you have seen my advice post this morning
Know how you feel, I have hospital on the 25th, fortunately for me I go to a specialist cancer unit, so we are all in the same boat, the only thing for us is the companions that come with us. If your bloods are all in the normal range I suppose it’s not too bad, just don’t know, also when you speak to NHS 111 they don’t know what an MPN is so not sure who to talk to, my GP surgery is not at helpful cant get past the receptionist and refer you to 111 so that you don’t waste the Doctors time.
After I have my bloods done, its normally about twenty minutes before I get to see a doctor. My one worry is that when I pick my grandkids up from school but what can you do, I feel well, had cold a few weeks ago so apart from that feel OK.
I just practice good hand hygiene and drum into the grandkids.
I do know that my Haematologist does do other test, but the main FBC result is done there and then, the other results come via a letter to my GP which I receive a copy of.
My wife has just had her haematologist ring her up to have a telephone consultation today rather than a face to face later in the week.
Telephone consultations are not suitable for everyone but if your blood results are stable and there is no change in your condition/symptoms it helps reduce risks for everyone.
You may find the hospital has a rethink over the next few weeks so it might be worth trying to arrange a blood test through your GP.
It is a worry for us all Jilly, something we really don't need.Here in Fr,I have my local nurse practice come to the house to take my blood for test.....then result in a day or two.Each month is 'normal 'test,every 4 months they test for every thing,organs etc,heart,lungs.....
Not sure what will happen if virus reaches our part of Fr...I have R Vs this week and next ,but there will not be any waiting in crowded rooms,each consultant has their own area and small room to wait ,maybe six seats at the most.I have never waited in 12 years....however all may shut down ,so it's wait and see,keep away from crowds etc....it's really frightening.
Take care ,good luck ,hope all goes well for you.Sally.(ex north east U K ),!!!!
I would attend the appointment. I believe there is a national shortage of heamos. You will need to see one at sometime or another so your appointment is precious. Having your bloods done at your GP’s could relieve your waiting and anxiety. Taking a hand sanitiser with you may also help. Maybe I’m too blasé. Good luck
the hospitals are usually packed shoulder to shoulder, at least where I was. I had to sit there 3-4 hours each month. Then I was paying €170 per visit to see a haemo privately to get away from that. The new hospital is better and the insurance pays. Even if I don’t get a virus there, I felt sick nevertheless, just sitting around with 70 other cancer patients. It’s normal for governments no to tell the whole truth in order to avoid panic situations. Panic is very dangerous. Important is to stay calm and do what we have to do to stay healthy.
My husband has a flu since Monday, but we don’t know which one. he was asked many questions, then told to stay home and wait. Although we’ve taken all precautions, sleep in separate rooms, etc. I’m feeling a scratchy throat, dry nose and sensitive bronchial tubes. I’m not really happy about this, but I can only wait and see and take loads of vit C.
Oh awful,hope all is going to be OK for you and family.Just got back myself from a huge hospital an hour away from us.....I have eye surgery coming up,the hospital is taking normal hygiene precautions,the specialist told me not to worry .Take good care ,Sally
Just an update. I slept like a log last night. The 10g of vit C, 2liters of ginger/clove/cinnamon tea and oregano essential oil got my hubby back on his fee quickly. He’s not 100%, but was able to perform at the opera (violin) tonight. I filled up on the same and was ok this morning. Am tired though. Tomorrow we’re off to Prague for a 50th BDay and my husbands playing there also. We’ll take the drive slow.
I hope your eye surgery will go well! Until then, stay healthy!
You must be very scared, I know I would be. I know the Government is hiding something, you can see it in the faces of every government representative that speaks about the virus. What I can’t understand is that no further information was made available about the source of the infection. If it was from a meat market that was selling bats or rats don’t you think they would do everything possible to pinpoint the source so this outbreak never happens again?
I find it interesting that only a few weeks ago scientists were saying by the year 2030 there would be 30 billion people in the world and that the planet could not sustain a population that large. I truly believe this is a virus that is being used to cull the human population. I expected it to happen way before now. The virus will take those who are old and weak or who have serious health problem. Think me crazy, I don’t care but the faces of those government officials are hiding something big.
I’m going with the stance that it is what it is, other than good hand hygiene we can do no more, we have flu year upon year and scientists have to predict the strain every year in order to make a vaccine suitable, I for one don’t know how they do it, but it seems to help. This has crept up on much like bird flu a few years ago and we were able to treat and contain that within a short period of time.
I personally aren’t one for conspiracy theories and believe the government’s are doing what they can after all there is going to be substantial costs to the government in containing and treating it as well as huge financial losses to many businesses. Business as usual will be my approach
I am really annoyed. My husband found an article this morning about Coronavirus and people with cancer. Because of what I read I phoned the Haematology Day Unit to ask again about having my blood taken at the doctors and then getting my results over the phone. The receptionist said "Dr ....... doesn't do telephone appointments". I said that maybe that has been the case before but she has not had to face a pandemic before either.
I was told I would be put through to one of the haematology nurses to discuss my concerns. Whoever it was she put me through to just hung up the phone before I could even say a word.
I phoned back but I couldn't get anybody to pick up for an hour.
I have now posted a 3 page letter about my concerns to my consultant. I want to know why my life can be put at risk when she could take my appointment time on the 23rd March to pick up the phone and just give me my results. I already have an allotted time so whats the problem.
I think that it won't be long before the Hospital Trust will have to put strategies in place to try and limit the risk to their most vulnerable patients.
The receptionist told me that there were no cases in Teesside, only Newcastle (a mere 40 minute drive away). I told her that there are cases in the UK where they don't know where they contracted the virus which has led experts to believe that there are carriers out there who are not showing any symptoms at all.
I have been seeing my consultant for 5 years. Not once has there been a need to change my prescription. I go in, have my bloods taken, sit for an hour waiting for the results, I go in to the consultation room to see her, she says your bloods are wonderful (though I have had a fall in platelets but nothing serious), she gives me a 10 week appointment and a repeat prescription and that's it. Tell me what is the difficulty in giving my results over the phone!
My head is thumping from banging it against a wall.
I saw a specialist Dr re a cyst on my eyelid,actually it is carcinoma,in two weeks time he will remove it ,just local anaesthetic.This was a huge hospital in Toulouse an hour away for us to go.He explained that for most people it is not a big problem this virus,but for me and cancer patients it is,but with good hygiene we should be safe,stay away from crowds,etc.The French have stopped shaking hands which is so normal and kissing on cheeks !He didn't seem it a problem for my surgery and told me not to worry about Corvid 19,worry makes M P N ers and other cancer people worse. At the moment our area has no cases ,just taking precautions.
Sorry lost signal,meant to say ,try not to worry ,just keep away from busy places and take hygiene precautions....what else can we do ? Take Care .Sally
My area has no known cases but there are carriers in the UK who don't even know they have it, showing no signs of the disease at all. Bear in mind there are several confirmed cases where the authorities haven't a clue where they got it from because they have no links to anybody else who has the virus so to say not to be worried that there are no cases closer to me than Newcastle is to me a false sense of security.
It is hard Sally when it's on the tv, radio and newspapers every minute of every day. I am following all the NHS guidelines but then you read news reports of people asking others to please cough in to a tissue only to be basically told to sod off. It is these people who won't listen to advice and who basically don't care if they infect anybody else that cause me anxiety. There have been reports of youths spitting in people's faces as they speed past on bikes. How do you protect yourself from people like this? I do find it all very scary, I just can't help it.
To be honest Jilly,I am scared too and I understand your concerns.My hubby and I are fortunate to live in the beautiful quiet countryside.We have neighbours,good French neighbours but the nearest are two fields away......I worry if either hubby or me get the virus,what will happen to my dogs ,my elderly horse?Bigger worry is our daughter in U K,what if she is ill and we are here.....we are both 80 ,not that we think we are so old,it's the old people who will be worse........I am trying meditation to help me cop with P V and Rux ,does help me relax......not good at it ,but it's worth a try.........try not to stress,that's me calling the kettle black!!!
I'm there next week and after seeing all the people in my Drs is be just as worried getting my bloods done there.
I'm.on 3 monthly appts now and just need medication. I think il go and get my blood done and not wait around. Go for a walk then return . I look I could get it anywhere. Thinking positive remaining calm ..not easy at all...
Most NHS appointments are now being conducted by phone or video. I would insist if I were you. Your consultant should be fully aware of your vulnerability. Is it a ‘jobsworth’ telling you he will not phone with the results? This can’t be right. I hope you get sorted.
My lovely haematologist phoned me this morning. I had enough Hydroxy for 2 weeks but she told me she was sending my prescription down to the pharmacy straightaway because, at the moment, the hospital was quite quiet because of different units closing but she couldn't guarantee that in 2 weeks time. I can pick up, or should I say my hubby will pick up, my medication tomorrow. She also told me to go and have my bloods done in another 10 weeks at my GP and she will phone me again with the results. Unless anything changes with my results then this will carry on until it is safe to go back to the day unit.
At our GP surgery people let the receptionist know they are there, then wait outside in their cars until they are phoned to go straight in to see the doctor or nurse.
No sitting in a waiting room of coughing people.
A Government estimate of 35,000 cases of Covid-19 in UK today, 1,960 tested positive. 1 case +2 isolated in our extended family from someone who ignored quarantine.
We live in sheltered accommodation and one resident is constantly at the shops bringing stuff in for people here. She won’t be told that she’s doing nobody a kindness but is, in fact, putting them in great danger. Infuriated me it really does.
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