I know there are lots of germs and bugs out there that you cant avoid, but I was sitting in the room at slimming world and everyone was saying how unwell they all were so I came home instead of staying and have ordered immune system booster tablets. I walked outside the hospital to macmillian to avoid bugs in hospital only to have woman in chemo room coughing and she didnt cover her mouth either. Think I am overreacting cant avoid the bugs it's time of year
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Am I being paranoid
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Kiera49
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Do you wear a mask?
Walmart sells masks you can wear
in reply to rpeacock
The CDC stated that only medical grade masks with several layers work against serious “bugs”. The majority or masks we can buy at stores or online are just a couple of layers of paper and might help against a cold but that’s about it.
Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Do they have masks at a pharmacy or somewhere else there in the UK?
Those masks work for about 10 mins...don’t waste your money
Barb xx
Are there ones on the market that last longer then that. I'm concerned now especially with the corona virus . We have a trip planned and are going by plane and many public tourist areas. I was thinking we could use the mask to be safe .
Only the high grade masks are better but still not that effective
I personally think the coronavirus has been scaremongering...no worse than being in contact with any virus
My daughter is flying to Beijing and Cambodia today for her honeymoon and I’ve been worried but she’s not...she’ll take hand sanitizers and will take sensible precautions ...they’re both young and fit so if they got it then it’s unlikely they’ll be seriously il
I’m not being flippant but in the whole scheme of things we can’t stop living because of fear
Barb xx
I think it's fear-mongering too, Barb. Oh, by the way, clorox wipes say in the back label that it kills human corona virus! They can probably take those on the plane. Lysol spray also states this on the back of the can, I looked on mine! you can read it online and see a picture if you google. Hope this helps and God bless you and heal us all in Jesus name, amen!
in reply to Barbteeth
This was published on January 29, 2020. Obviously, though that England has not stopped trips to China.
"Given the latest news on the coronavirus outbreak centered in China, it’s no surprise that there’s fear about the spread of the disease and concerns about the risks of travel.
The White House said Wednesday it’s considering banning all flights between the US and China. British Airways announced it would suspend travel to the country.
I am wondering upon her return back to England, if they may have restrictions or delays or risk being quarantined for a few days to ensure that they have not picked up the virus.
In US, as of February 3, 2020 as of 5:00 pm, the below just went into effect:
"US citizens returning from the rest of mainland China in the 14 days prior will undergo health screenings at selected ports of entry and face up to 14 days of self-monitored quarantine."
She should check before they leave if England has put anything in place like this upon their return to England. The fear is how easily they seem to think it is transferred. From something as simple as an infected person coughing and it lingers in the air. Not trying to scare you, but I do not think it is as easy as someone being healthy that it can be avoided. I am sure (if they wish) that they could easily get refunded or their trip revised.
Since so many other countries are now putting bans on visits to China in their country, I guess, until they know for sure they are taking precautionary measures so that even people returning from China now, will have to be in a quarantine period.
Now Delta and American Airlines as of February 2020 in US have temporarily banned all trips to China up to end of April 2020 for now.
I am sure many travel agencies and such would inform people going abroad to China about any restrictions, but she should check anyway. (PS. I have always wanted to go to Cambodia. I heard it is beautiful.)
It is to the point of fear that I have friends advising me to be careful about my cancer center where Chinese people primarily live. I said they are here in the US already so I am not worried. But in the area I go to, many of the Chinese people have always worn masks even way before this new virus. I guess they were used to having to do so while in China due to the extensive pollution of the air there, that they even wear masks in US.
Years ago in the 1970s when I was still in high school, I went on my first plane trip ever to Hawaii with another classmate, her older sister and her older's sister friend. My friend wanted to bring back a pineapple she had gotten from a tree. They searched our luggage and when they found the pineapple, they removed it. We were puzzled and asked why and were told that it was to try and stop the fruit flies from coming back to New York to avoid an epidemic of fruit flies being brought into New York. So apparently it was a law that you were not allowed to bring back any pineapples that you picked off a tree, as opposed to ones bought that were already checked and wrapped.
Barbteeth in reply to
They’re already at the airport now so too late...British airports are just handing out leaflets at the moment according to the Times
They’re not actually going to China but mostly Cambodia...it’s their honeymoon (belated)
Barb xx
in reply to Barbteeth
I notice couples are no longer doing the old kind of honeymoons. Hawaii and such. Now, they are going to Africa on safari or more exotic places. I can't believe that the US is now quarantining people coming from China even the mainland. But until they know the reality of this, they have to be super careful bc it will could very well become an epidemic and they need to assure that does not happen.
I heard on the news the other day a 14 year old boy returning from BRAZIL on a vacation and returning home to Italy was just confirmed with the virus.
So the other countries have to do have procedures in place until the Chinese can figure out how to contain it and or come up with a virus.
The Chinese were able to build a whole hospital center/ward in eight days. Some poor young 28 year old Chinese doctor died, not because he caught the virus, but because he worked almost 10 days in that hospital without sleep. Credit to the Chinese medical staff for putting their own lives at risk.
I also read some cell phone companies were offering (remember US has numerous sweat shops in China) $1,000 (alot to the poor in Chinese) to come work at their centers in China bc many stopped coming to work. As if $1,000 is worth a life but I guess for some of them, they would take the chance to be able to feed their families.
I am sure your daughter and son-in-law will be fine. Just eat at American restaurants and such or hotels and only drink bottled water. Whenever I went to a third world country (three times) I would only always drink bottled water.
I cant wait to hear if they like Cambodia. It was on my list before the cancer. I have seen photos. Seems to exotic. Oh to be young again. I didn't mean to scare you but i Britain is not stopping trips there, that they don't have to worry.
in reply to Justme153
eBay have them. Don’t buy the cheapest as they haven’t got the seal that goes around the nose and mouth. They are not expensive.
Hello, I hear you are a dentist
after a tooth got cut out on Jan 2nd, then the swelling in my jaw went down . Then the left side of my mouth started hurting and it made my left ear hurt also last over a week ago and swelling in jaw was back. I went to local dentist who gave me antibiotic and it stopped hurting. The Dentist acted like it was from tooth cut out on Jan 2nd. I thought perhaps it was another tooth. I’ve never had this happen. Is it common? I mean I have had tooth cut out Jan 2nd. And then after end of February it starts hurting again? That’s seems like a long time between when tooth was cut out? Thank you so much!
Sounds like you've had a septic socket...this can happen after any extraction but usually after a more difficult procedure...I had one myself after a wisdom tooth was removed...it hurt like hell...what happens is that the blood clot is lost from the socket often if the patient rinses too soon after the tooth removal...and since the blood clot forms the beginning of healing antibodies ...then losing the clot causes bacteria to invade the socket and it becomes septic
It will settle after the antibiotics so don’t worry...shame you didn’t have them sooner
Barb xx
Do you have store (ASDA) ?
I googled it and it said in UK you have this store like Walmart. Maybe they have masks. I would love to know what it is like living in UK compared to USA, where I live. I will never get a chance to go and see it, since I’m sick.
in reply to rpeacock
Asda is owned by Walmart, but it is not like it at all. What would you like to know about living in the UK compared to the USA?
Also can you find those antibacterial wipes to help keep sanitize anything. Like your grocery cart, handle on any doors, everything.
in reply to rpeacock
Yes, we get all,sorts of wipes here. But, they are not good for the environment. If needs must though!
It's hard for me to say as I've never been to America I guess its warmer over there it's cold windy and horrible here
I’m freaky about that too. My girls say I’m over reacting. It seems like every time I get in an elevator some one coughs. Those mask are hot and I don’t like them. I don’t have a solution but I feel the same way you do. I keep the little bottles of hand sanitizers with me all the time. If I go anywhere I don’t touch my face until I leave and use the sanitizer on my hands. I’m a little psycho about this. 🤪
in reply to Staysha
If I take a bus in Brooklyn, I no longer use or hold the handles if you have to stand on the bus. I either use a hand wipe to hold on or a tissue plus I see many other people doing it also, even if they do not have cancer.
And shame on people who cough without covering their mouths, I was taught to do that as a child.
Hi Kiera,
I don't think you overreacted at all. If you caught any of the bugs going around then you would be laid low and you don't want that on top of dealing with cancer. Those in your Slimming World group who were unwell should have stayed home rather than come out and risk infecting others. I would just make sure you wash your hands more often and try to avoid people who are sick. I know we can't avoid all bugs that are going around, but if people stayed home when they were not well then they might be able to contain the spread of colds and so on.
Sophie
No it's fine to be cautious, our immune systems are out of whack so I feel like it's good to be a little careful.
I’ve become a germaphobe and not only wash my hands frequently but wear a mask when my wbc’s are low and take antibacterial wipes with me wherever I go. I also avoid public places including restaurants, the cinema, concerts etc.
I’m not suggesting you imitate my behavior as I do think I’ve taken it a bit far. But it is the case our immune system is compromised and we should take some precautions.
The presence of the coronavirus in the US, half the cases of which are in California where I live, really scares me. I doubt I’ll let up on my precautions any times soon.
Do you not think Boots would carry masks? I lived in the UK and found it to be very very good for many needs.
Take care!
Kathleen
in reply to Red1246
If it makes you feel better to avoid those places, then do it. But I have not stopped going to restaurants, movie theaters, concerts, bowling alleys, etc.
On other board, there are ladies on Ibrance who still hold full-time jobs (God bless them) as teachers of young grade students and even nurses who work in hospitals while being stage iv and taking Ibrance and falsodex injections.
My cancer center has a majority of the workers wearing masks. I do not believe they are ordered to do so, but it more to avoid them from spreading germs to us than vice-versa.
Otherwise, I would have nothing to do for pleasure if I avoided all places that have a large amount of people. It is fairly hard to avoid places where are are numerous people such as say large grocery stores or shopping center. Even when grocery shopping, you are picking up cans and boxes of say cereal that many other people have touched. So far, I have not had any issues nor has my onco advised me to avoid specific places. She just said to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer and wash my hands a bit more than usual, and obviously stay away from people who are clearly sick which is something I would have done pre-Cancer anyway.
Red1246 in reply to
Agree - I only do this when my anc is very low (it can get as low as 300 when 1000 is the recommended safe level).
in reply to Red1246
As I have mentioned LOL, I never knew what my anc is (Not even sure what that stands for) and I have never asked or been told what my tumor markers are and its close to three years. Less things to worry about.
I just need to know if it spread and if the treatment is changing because in the end that is all that really matters to me.
Red1246 in reply to
As I’m tested so frequently for blood levels, I’ve assumed they’re important.
I simply follow the guidelines of my onco nurse and then throw in a bit of extra precaution as I’m neurotic and scared of becoming ill with flu. I’ve heard if we get a bug while wbc’s are low and we can’t fight it, this can lead to hospitalization etc. Tryibg to avoid that!
Good for you you’re able to take no notice of these things and concentrate on progression of Mets! Makes sense.
in reply to Red1246
I get my blood taken every month when I go see my onco. It's a three-part appt.
First I let them know I am there and then a lady comes out and announces all the names for people who have to have their blood work. They weigh me and take my blood pressure, and then my blood.
I then wait in another waiting area with others until they call my name for appt. with my onco. I am brought to an empty room, where they close the door and then usually my onco comes in with 10-15 minutes and then when done with her, I go to another waiting room for my falsodex injections and now the bone shot in my arm, and finally HOME.
Kiera49 in reply to
I have my blood taken day before at my doctors, then next day go to hospital treatment room to have injections, if I'm lucky they will give me some lunch, then go home. I only see onc every 3 months to review scan. This month I've got scan, blood test, onc and treatment all on different days which is crazy
in reply to Kiera49
That is crazy. I go to the cancer center and everything is located on the same floor. Even when I have my CT scans, it is in the same building, just in the basement though. The radiology team will always tell me that my onco will have the CT scan results by the next day but I usually do not get the results until I see her the next appt.
The palliative team is also in the basement. I would have a fit if I had to go there three separate times. It takes minutes for them to take my blood and by the time I go to meet with my onco, she already has the results on the computer.
I cannot get the infusions until my blood work is done and reviewed by my onco.
Kiera49 in reply to
My blood tests take an hour and that is when they tell them results needed immediately and like you cant have my treatment till they have bloodwork. I think they know me in ct now lol. I think this will be 4th scan, there only doing chest this time on monday
in reply to Kiera49
Why would your blood tests take an hour? All they do is weigh me, take my blood pressure and take my blood through the front of my hand. I always use the same place after two years. Is your blood work more extensive or are you including your waiting time?
I get scans every three months. No slow down on that yet.
Kiera49 in reply to
I'm in the uk so dont pay for it bloods just take a long time for the lab to do, yours must be more efficient. They never take my blood pressure and dont get weighed that often.
No you are not being paranoid. I’m the same. I have a Vick Defense Nasal spray I use before going to public places and a Dettol spray you can use on fabrics so I spray my coat etc when I get home from outdoor places, especially the hospital. What we must remember is not everyone that coughs and sneezes has a bug. I cough due to Asthma and my meds and my husband sneezes a lot as he has an allergy to certain smells. Doesn’t hurt to be cautious and no way are you paranoid. Take care and hope this helps.
If you are paranoid then I would be certifiable! Meaning they would lock me away. No you are not paranoid. Nothing wrong with being aware and taking precautions. I don't buy wipes. I just put some hand sanitizer on a Kleenex and wipe the grocery cart handle with that. I also put sanitizer on my nose so hopefully all air coming in is sanitized. At home, I live with my husband and my son drops in almost every day. They are both clean however not so careful when they are out and about. So especially when my son has visited I go around and wipe all the doorknobs he has touched or anyone who comes to the house.
When I am out I watch for people who are coughing and avoid them. If a restaurant server is coughing then I cancel my order and leave. And when I am handed a menu for I wipe it. Also in a public bathroom, I use the toilet tissue to give the seat a quick wipe with sanitizer.
Like I said maybe I am certifiable! But I don't want to get some of the awful sicknesses going around, There is a terrible bronchitis going around that makes you cough 24/7 and leaves you weak. Takes 6-7 weeks to get better.
Oh well, if they lock me up that is not so bad. I will not be sick and I will get 3 ready made meals per day and I would like a holiday anyhow but couldn't afford one. At least I am waited on! Just kidding. (Chuckle .)
Cheers June S.
I am making sure I was my hands lots, plenty of anti bacterial spray on worktops, wiping taps, etc. My son has a sore throat and partner is I'll with diarrhoea so I'm extra cautious. My partner wanted to take me to spain but that's definitely not an option at the moment. I am scared of the Corona virus too, so want to keep myself as healthy as can be x
in reply to Kiera49
I read that one the most dirtiest items with loads of germ is actually a computer keyboard. Since I live alone and rarely have people over and even if so, they don't use my pc (not even a laptop) I don't worry much but I do clean it every other day with Lysol wipes and then turn it upside down and shake it so that little crumbs fall out. I also use my vacuum with comes with a part to add on for little spots and I Use that to vacuum my keyboard, but like I said I live alone, so not too worried about my own germs.
You are not over reacting. The masks don't really help the healthy, but if the sick and coughing wear them, they go a long way towards not spreading what they have. The woman in the chemo room should have been encouraged to wear a mask. It was incredibly selfish of her to be coughing all over the room.
Yeah definitely and she was complaining that the foreigners were getting treated first, I thought this odd as she was already getting her treatment and the nurse who was treating had moved here from India, some people
I was wondering why this pain specialist would even write me opiates if she works there and must be aware of their stance on this and just found this on Linkedin.com. No wonder. I am sure she will now be told she has to get preapproval first before writing any patient opiate meds. She just started there. I found this on Linkedin.com which is a US site where people list their jobs, resume and connections in their field and their places of previous employment. Geez, she is only there for six months!
Experience
Maimonides Medical Center
Palliative Physician at the Maimonides Cancer Center
Company Name Maimonides Medical Center
Dates Employed Sep 2019 – Present
Employment Duration mos
Location Brooklyn, New York
Sister/warrior I remember years ago having to stop my chemo twice because I got a cold/flu, and had to be given Neulasta to bring my blood counts up. I have a friend who is retired from the military who looked for, and took out his military grade scary snorkel looking mask to wear if the Corona virus get's any worse. Yessssss I started LOL , but to his defense he has had the Flu almost back to back since January 1st of this year 2020. He has also had pneumonia twice in the past. Our sisters, and brothers , and people with compromised immune systems have much more to worry about than people who are relatively healthier. I wash my hands, carry hand sanitizer in every pocketbook, and yesssss jump backwards when I hear someone cough. I give that person dirty looks , and say cover your mouth when I clearly see they are not making an effort to do so. This past Tuesday night I jumped up quick fast and changed my seat in church recently when a man who was coughing, and not covering his mouth who was seated directly behind me. I know it must have looked crazy (LOL), but God also said have wisdom. I also have not taken communion for two years now, because everyone takes crumbled up crackers from the same big metal bowls, and the same metal trays that have the small open cups of juice. The church I attend seats over 3,000 people, and I guess this is the most economical way to serve communion. I do my part, and then I put my trust in God to do his part. I pray, and ask for coverage for me, and my loved ones as I/they travel. XoXoXoXo May God continue to bless us all.
I remember having pneumonia not that long after being diagnosed with cancer my partner thought he was going to lose me, luckily managed to get better. The people at my church are really good they gave me blankets and scarves when church was cold and they tell me to stay away from them if they have a cold or cough. At communion the vicar gives us waifer bread out of her hands and communion wine is out of a cup which is cleaned after every person, I tend to have a blessing, I think God is looking after me. All the best, Tracey
from what i have read, masks are best worn by sick people to limit spread of their illness, and do not work to protect a person against being infected. wash your hands frequently, and avoid people who are coughing and sniffling.
You’re not being paranoid. Your first priority is to make sure you are well. Also, patients in a chemo treatment should know to wear a mask especially if they are coughing. And don’t be shy about asking healthcare workers and other patients to wash their hands! Take care of you!
What immune booster tablets do you take? I'm worried too about all the stuff out there. They keep saying a mask won't help. I don't understand, especially if you can get a N95 mask.
And we are always in a doctor's office or hospital!
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