Covid worries

[Popsic]

Hi guys,

Hope your all well and staying safe.

With all this covid business going on, have any of you, apart from those receiving treatment atm, been put on the " vulnerable" list by your GP? I'm quite confused as having had the Ivor Lewis in 2013, I've had digestive absorption problems and when I take a deep breath in I make a little " squeaky" noise, so I was sent for Xrays and was told that the bottom part of my right lung hasn't inflated properly, but I also thought that even though we're clear from treatment we would be classed as vulnerable. Any input guys?

[Singforyoursupper]

It seems that some of us have been put on the CEV list and others not - it’s down to the opinion of the GP usually. A few of us discussed this at a Zoom forum last week. The consensus was that we felt due to lung deflation during many oesophagectomy ops and proning necessary if one had to go to ICU - we should certainly be considered vulnerable - even if our immune systems are good. However you will have to fight your corner to get CEV status and an early vaccination. They are getting on well with the roll out and you may get yours anyway before you achieve a change of status! Good luck!

[Popsic in reply to Singforyoursupper]

It's crazy isn't it, my GP says it was 8 yrs ago so I'm fine now, but honestly he has no idea what I go through each day, I also don't understand why we're not given regular endoscopies now,Thank you for your reply

[liz_crisp in reply to Popsic]

Hi no you are considered fine, I know it's a struggle some days even 10 years on. I'm staying out of peoples way and am quite lucky I live in a rural area so it's much easier for me to do than for those in our towns and cities. The vaccine programme seems to be pushing forward so fingers crossed it won't be too long.

[Popsic in reply to liz_crisp]

Hi liz_crispI'm the same, although we live in the city I've stayed in as much as possible since last March, my hubby has been great, in fact it was him insisting on shielding me. Hopefully the vaccine won't be long. Thank you for your reply.

Stay safe everyone

[telford-hiker]

Hi,,probably still fresh out of surgery,although it was in June..finished adjuvant chemo November,and getting vaccine in the next hour,as classed as extremely vunrable,although my oncologist said I would be pretty clear by December just passed..stay safe

[Animalmadwoman]

Hi Popsic. My husband had Ivor Lewis in 2019, but with huge complications. Long story short , he was in ICU for 5 months. He had ICU induced pnuemonia and suffered with ARDS, which almost saw him off! Took months to wean off ventilator.After the first lockdown we found it difficult to get shopping, so I asked the GP for a shielding letter,which hadn’t been issue, after a lot of arguing back & forth we got a message back to say the doctor has looked at the notes & ‘ can see no reason why my other half should be shielding!!

It took a stern letter from consultant to finally get this letter from govt.

GP’s have little real knowledge of what Ivor Lewis procedure actually consists of!

What age are you ? Would you be due for vaccine soon even without what they class as clinically vulnerable? Your lungs surely qualify you for this as you have one that is compromised. But I really think that as survivors of this surgery to takes years to recover , you would definitely come into the vulnerable group. Good luck popsic! 🙏

[Popsic in reply to Animalmadwoman]

Hi there,I am 59 this year, I am 6 th in line I believe,I have spoken to my oncologist nurse, they have kept me “ on their books “ as it were, due to dietary complications, but even she said I’m fine now, she said I didn’t need to shield, but I have anyway, it makes me wonder if they ever read your notes, i have been Bi - Polar since 1990 and in all that time only one doctor picked up on it last year! But I am going to ring them this week and see what they say .thank you for your reply,

I hope hubby is doing well, I can’t believe they never gave your a shielding letter, that’s unbelievable! So glad it’s sorted for you now. Take care and stay safe.

June

[Animalmadwoman in reply to Popsic]

Oh you have had your challenges. Goodness! We just did what instinct told us to! Keep away from everyone, and be careful . My husband was also left with PTSD, so sees all things as sinister & threatening . I do hope you get somewhere with it all. Keep us posted. 🤞

[Popsic in reply to Animalmadwoman]

Oh bless him, this must all be so hard for you both,I think it just hits you without you realising it. I’m constantly being told I don’t realise the seriousness of my condition, but tbh if you constantly dwell on it , it can get you down, I am just grateful that I am here and doing ok. I will keep you updated on progress, please let us know how you get on to . Stay safe

June x

[Animalmadwoman]

My OH has just got his appt. for the first vaccination. . Keep badgering your GP!

[Notknowmuch]

Hi Popsic,I would suggest you speak to your GP regarding your concern.

My husband consulted his GP regarding the covid-19 vaccine and was told that he is on the ‘vulnerable’ list and will be given the vaccine at stage 1b whilst I will be on stage 2. We are in Melbourne, Australia.

[Popsic in reply to Notknowmuch]

Hi , NotknowmuchI have spoken to my GP but according to him I am not vulnerable, how I don’t understand, he sent me for an X-ray last year and that’s when they found I have only 3/4 lung inflated on my right side, I just don’t get it. But I shall try again and see what happens.

[Janashlin in reply to Notknowmuch]

Same in Sydney for me 1b

[kiddy]

For those like me that weren’t able to get vaccine early NHS site taking 56 and over no health problems. No need to wait for letter. Booked mine 16th March which is 5years from my op.

Can’t believe I will be celebrating with a vaccine!

Good Luck

Debbie