Corona virus

[Puppy_love]

Has anyone heard that because we are immune compromised that we should quarantine until the corona virus goes away? My primary is telling me I need to stay at home.

[Lisa11171]

Here is a great article about who is immunocompromised with cancer:

www-today-com.cdn.ampprojec...

Luckily, I am only taking Faslodex and my doctor told me I don’t have to worry. But for those doing chemo and other Treatments, they do need to be careful.

[Puppy_love in reply to Lisa11171]

Thanks this was informative but along with Faslodex I take 75 mg. Of Ibrance.

[Lisa11171 in reply to Puppy_love]

Yes, I read that if you’re doing chemo or taking a CDK2/4 inhibitor like Ibrance or Verzenio type drugs you are immune suppressed.

[Puppy_love in reply to Lisa11171]

Oh no I hope I can wiggle out of this corona virus if I catch it.

[Lisa11171 in reply to Puppy_love]

Just take the necessary precautions and you will be ok. Like your doctor said, stay home for a while and wash, wash, wash your hands and stay hydrated.

[Lisa11171 in reply to Lisa11171]

And call your doctor if you start feeling you’re getting sick!!!

[Lisa11171 in reply to Lisa11171]

Please stay safe and know I’m thinking of you!! ❤️❤️❤️

[Puppy_love in reply to Lisa11171]

I really don’t want to stay home because at some point we will have to but I’m going to talk to my oncologist tomorrow.

[Hidden in reply to Lisa11171]

There are thousands of people (smokers) and others that have respiratory issues or have a myriad of other health problems that leave their immune system compromised. We are not different than others that have other medical conditions or compromised immune systems.

Follow the regime and instructions that the CDC is advising. Wash hands frequently, avoid large crowds and do not touch your face. I have been out several times (going out today again) bc I feel fine. if I felt sick, I would self quarantine myself for 14 days which is the amount of day the CDC suggests but since I do not feel ill, and am taking above normal sanitary conditions, I am not worried. Wishing the best for all of us but remember there are loads of people. The ones that died in NY were older and most of them had many health issues. More people died in 2018/2019 from regular flu.

I think it is important to put things in perspective bc people are spreading more fear on fb with false facts. I just get my info from the CDC and not from fb or internet.

Best to all, just use again common sense and I pray for us all. I think we will all become used to this new "normal" and like with most other diseases and conditions, they will come up with a vaccine but for now, if you feel fine, go and do what you need to do just being more mindful. If the workers at my Cancer Center can show up for their jobs which involve them standing close to me to get my blood and give my injections, then I can show up to get my treatment and am thankful for people like that and all the other public servants that have to deal with the public every day. Thinking and pray for ALL people, not just those with cancer.

[Puppy_love]

Well I work in a mammography department and a lot of patients in and out, but I’m trying to spend more time in my office since this .

[Gramat in reply to Puppy_love]

I take Letrozole and Ibrance. I am a medical secretary in a hospital and both consultants i work for and oncologist have sent me home today.

[Puppy_love in reply to Gramat]

That’s super caring. I do t think anyone would ever send me home I’m too vital for their own peace.

[Hidden]

I am in no way a a fear monger but events in the US have dramatically shifted. I’m on social isolation I decided as my WBC and neutrophils run low due to Ibrance. (That’s not usually an issue as I remain active.) Our hospitals will be flooded and triage will be necessary. This is one time when you can honestly say a couch potato is a hero for not exposing oneself or others to harm. Outdoor walks ok but be extra vigilant

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You (or any cancer patient or any person who has any other disease or a compromised immune system or respiratory issues) are more apt to suffer if we get it then those without. But like the CDC states, if you are feeling fine, there is no reason to NOT go out. Avoid large crowds (the false fear fact being stated on social media) are causing loads of people to stay inside even if they do not feel sick. But I am not sick (besides the cancer obviously) so no reason for me NOT to go out and take the precautions as noted by the CDC. I only look at their website for information, not the internet or facebook.

Since I feel fine, then I am going out. I would self-quarantine if I even felt sick to protect others but I am not going to stay stuck in my apt. when I feel fine.

I have a cancer appt. on Thursday and it has not been cancelled. Injections, blood work and meeting with onco. Taking my blood and giving me injections will cause those technicians to have to stay close to me. I would not take a chance with them getting sick if I felt sick but I do not and if they are coming to work so that we and others can receive our treatment, then no reason for me to cancel my appt.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The CDC has now recommended no groups higher than 25. Be safe

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Marthasvineyard - I'm also looking at white blood counts as sort of the determining factor on whether or not to be concerned. I've been traveling, but just flew home to hunker down for a while. Did my best re: hygiene, but whenever nephews/kids ran up to hug me, in the back of my mind, I'm saying "vector, vector, vector"! I've decided to take this seriously for a while....I'm not thinking about death so much as just being miserable and sick.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Haha — vector! That’s the term my husband has been using. Stay safe my friend.

[lilybank]

I'm not on my new regime yet waiting for gamma knife appointment GP rang me at the end he told me to stay at him cut down on visits even from family have to have my husband here so that's one opinion onchology haven't been in touch hope forever x

[lilybank]

I'm in the UK

[AuntMildred]

Cancer scares me much more than the Corona virus. At least this will pass. Not to sound like a downer, but hard to be optimistic during these times. Watching the stock market isn't good either. It just feels crazy.

[Hidden in reply to AuntMildred]

I am with you. The cancer is more dangerous to us than this virus if we take the right precautions. I am already broke (LOL) but not poor so I don't worry about the stock market but I can understand for those who are close to retirement that they would be worried and I pray for all.

It feels like we are in some kind of crazy movie. But we will get used to the new normal as this will be going on for months. God bless all.

[Hidden]

Do you know how many people have respiratory issues and are also immune compromised? Not just cancer patients, loads of other people. Did your primary tell you this over the phone? What does your onco say? Do you feel okay. Even if you feel sick, CDC is recommending that you quarantine yourself for 14 DAYS. Nowhere have I heard that people are being told not to leave their home until this is over. It is not going to be over for months. It is not even doable "until this is over." He is not making any sense if he even listens to the TV that this will be for months.

That seems a bit too much. How are you supposed to not leave for your house for months or even a year. I took the public bus in Brooklyn, went food shopping, came home and then put my groceries away and washed my hands. It is just using common sense. I use bounty paper to hold onto to the pole. I open doorknobs using my shirt. I live alone which NOW is a good thing but I have a cancer appt. on Thursday to get my shots and blood work. IF those ladies can come in for their jobs and have to stand close to me to do this, then I can show up for my apt. I carry sanitizer hand wipes with me and when I come home from shopping, I wash my hands again. I do not touch my face. But no since I am feeling fine, I am going out today to do some more grocery shopping. I have a cancer appt. on Thursday that has not been cancelled so if those ladies can come in to make sure I get my blood work done and injections, then I can certainly go to my appt. Is he telling you NOT to go to your cancer appts. He obviously is not on top of the virus and what they are advising people. Maybe just be extra careful like me but I feel fine.

Tomorrow I have to go to the pharmacy to pick up my meds. I feel fine. If I felt sick, I would self quarantine myself for 14 days to avoid infecting others. I find it ridiculous for your primary to tell you that knowing that this could go on for months if he knows anything about what is being told by the CDC.

[nstonerocks in reply to Hidden]

Going to the city today to get scan results. What can you do except take every precaution you can.

[mariootsi in reply to nstonerocks]

Good luck Nancy. Hoping for good results.

[Red71 in reply to Hidden]

In Oregon we have all been told to stay home unless we are essential workers. The idea is that if everyone stays home then the infection rate will not amp up as quickly and overwhelm medical services. If as many people catch the virus all at one time like in China our healthcare system will collapse. If we quarantine ourselves like they did in South Korea, we will survive. I do not want to catch this virus when everybody else is catching it. I want a respirator available if I need it. Every person you come in contact with has been in contact with a lot more people. You could get this virus from anyone of them because people can be shedding it for two days before they get sick. Please be safe. Quarantining yourself as much as possible for a month is better than catching this and maybe having lifelong problems because of it. Elaine

[Hidden]

Amen. I feel fine so far and have to go out to get some more groceries plus its a nice crispy day out. The streets are empty so let those people who are so fearful (bc of false facts being spread on social media). It just makes it easier for me to go out and do my shopping LOL.

[Lolli2020]

I have only been advised not to fly (had a trip to my daughter-in-laws baby shower planned and had to cancel my ticket) and to follow CDC guidelines. Was told that I am considered immune compromised and to take that into consideration. I’m letting my family do shopping for me but I’m going to lunch today. I’m a Realtor and have to keep things moving!

I think it could be best to err on side of caution/precaution but live your life too. Listen to your oncologist as it was mentioned, we're all in different stages and different fitness/health/age situations.

Prayers for all!

[Puppy_love in reply to Lolli2020]

What meds are you on? Are you working also during this pandemic?

[Lolli2020 in reply to Puppy_love]

I'm on Afinitor and Exemestane. It's been almost 2 years. I am working during this time but keeping exposure to a minimum. My husband is also a real estate agent and can do showings for me. Much business is transacted electronically.

[Puppy_love in reply to Lolli2020]

I’m upset because my doctors are saying to stay home. But I won’t get paid so I cannot stay home. I’m trying to limit my exposure my staying in my office and wearing a mask and hand washing. The problem is I work in a mammography department.

[Shar313]

I saw my onc last week and she advised that we stay at home until this is contained.

[Puppy_love in reply to Shar313]

What meds do you take?

[Shar313 in reply to Puppy_love]

I take Letrozole and Ibrance

[ALYogaGirl]

My WBC is fine but I'm still beingtold by my primary to stay home, cancel al appts but onc., have no one over.

[Hidden]

My family doctor told me not to come to the office and did a telephone appointment and my oncologist’s nurse just called and said not to come in next week. They will call me. I just have to go and have my bloodwork.

[Kimr2081]

Because I am on chemo i try to be extra vigilant. Thank God for my husband. He has been doing all the grocery shopping which I so appreciate. He doesn't want me out and about and I don't either but can you say Cabin Fever. Oh well, I would rather be safe than sorry. I am kind of surprised I haven't gotten any communication from the cancer center I go to.

Hang in there.

[hope4mbc]

My oncologist has advised me that I am at a higher risk for COVID since I am on Ibrance and also have other underlying health conditions. I do not need to take special precautions, but I was advised that I should remain vigilant about social distancing and practicing good hygiene (washing hands, covering cough, not touching your face, etc). If I am able to work from home, my oncologist has advised doing so as well for the next several weeks.

Hope this helps!