Delay of Scans because of the virus?

[cpidacks]

Hi Everyone: I am due for my three month MRI in April. Has anyone had their scans delayed because of the coronavirus? Seeing my oncologist this week. My labs are normal and previous scans stable. I have MBC in liver. Just wondering what others have been told. Thank you.

[Hidden]

Well, I am supposed to get a scan around April. I cancelled my appt. with my onco, blood work and injections last week w/o speaking to her directly. I live in NY (I think that makes a difference) because in the whole of US, we have the largest amount, so far, of infected people and the numbers jump so high overnight that I almost don't want to know. NY as a state, last I heard was 16,000, with NYC having close to 8,000 people infected. I think there are many of us that are already infected, but so many have not yet been tested. But just having the virus does not mean it is active.

My onco called me (I go to a Cancer Center) and said I really need to get my injections so I am going back on 4/2. She did tell me many patients are cancelling their visits to cancer center. I cancelled bc the week I was scheduled to go was when it became news of how many people were getting infected was blowing up every day in NY. I was more fearful of taking car service (I do not drive and live alone) more so than going into the cancer center.

I would think that bc I live in NY and hospitals are trying to cancel any surgeries or regular exams bc they expect the hospitals in the next few weeks are going to be overrun with people with the virus so right now that is of utmost importance for the hospitals to have enough employees to deal with that.

Depending where you live and depending on the shortage of workers (my cancer center is working at 1/2 staff bc many had to stop coming to work bc the schools are now closed), that would make a big difference in whether or not you get a scan.

They may not even be able to tell you yet whether or not they will cancel bc things are changing on a daily basis and it may depend on whether they have enough technicians coming in and some people may have more serious complications with their cancer and those people may get their scans, but people that have been stable may be put off.

I was kind of surprised my appt. was not cancelled as I have read of other women here in the US whose appts. were cancelled. My onco NEVER calls me at home. I'm thinking or imagining that they are there and nobody is showing up.

And I finally realized if my onco and receptionists and schedulers of appts. are making it into work so that others like myself can continue to get their treatment and such, then the least I can do is show up for my appt. bc they are taking risks for US, the patients.

[cpidacks in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I live in MA. I have my MRI scans in an office outside of the hospital. I really do not want to go to my appointment, but I get Faslodex shots monthly. This is so scary. Good luck to all of us and be safe.

[Hidden in reply to cpidacks]

I am not really too scared. I was in the beginning but am calming down a bit every day although in NY it is scary to turn on the news each morning and hear thousands more infected. But NY is in basic lock down. I am going to to the cancer center to get my blood work, injections and meeting with onco.

NY is now the state in the US with the most people infected and it is spreading quicker than it did in other countries. One day at a time is the only way we can deal with this.

My thinking is that if these oncos, technicians, receptionists, appt. schedulers, can make it to work at the cancer center so that I can receive my treatment, the most I can do is show up. My cancer center is at 1/2 staff. Many of them were not prepared for the sudden closing of schools.

So for these workers that are making it to work at the cancer center regardless of their own fear, the least we can do is show up.

So much misinformation is being put out there by forum boards and even my own facebook friends which make me angry. Listen to the news and look at the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization which has been following this since it started in China.

China is now under control to a certain degree because they IMMEDIATELY PUT IN SHUT DOWN for people to avoid the degree to which it spread.

Italy has said and warned the US that was their mistake. They did not put in Quarantine for people and shut down works and schools which is why it spread so quickly so they told US to do that immediately.

Its allergy season so people are freaking out if they cough or sneeze. Unless you start to get a fever and its over 104, there is no need to worry.

NY is in shut down because they need to stop the spreading which happened so quickly here in NY.

I listen for a while the news so I know what is going on and then shut it off because it is like 9/11 and I worked downtown that after a while you could not watch the TV anymore because it became too overwhelming.

So wash your hands constantly, stay a safe distance from others and DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS to your face. They have said this repeatedly hundreds a times of day about the virus so that is what I do.

Everybody has to do their part. They are not going to start arresting people that are congregating in groups of more than 10. Younger people are not taking this serious and in not doing so, they are spreading it.

We have the best and brightest minds in the WORLD working on it. For now, this is our new normal. We had a new normal after 9.11 and we adapted eventually, we all had a new normal after our diagnosis, and we adapted and with the rules in place now for this virus, for now it is again a new normal and we will adapt. God bless.

God will punish those who here in NY are price gorging, raising prices by 5 times the cost for basic things like water, bread, eggs. They are being caught and God will judge them for what they are doing. But they are catching them, closing down their stores and putting a sign in the windows so we will not forget those who took advantage. There will always be people like that but then again there are more good people who will band together to help others.

[KMBL_]

I had a PET scan today. I go to an actual office, not a hospital.

[cpidacks in reply to KMBL_]

Thanks. Stay safe.

[KMBL_ in reply to cpidacks]

You too!

[Red71]

I would go on with my normal treatments if the doctor doesn’t cancel them. It sounds like you could push out your scans for a few months but I would go on with my monthly treatments so you can stay stable! Just keep doing all the quarantining that you can do and social distancing when you go to your appointments. Elaine

[cpidacks in reply to Red71]

Thanks Elaine. Stay safe.

[Phillipians4and6]

Hi,

I live in Cleveland. I went to get my injections this past Friday. The place was like a ghost town and it was like Fort Knox getting in. They asked questions and if you passed they gave you a blue arm band and you were able to proceed on. The hematology center is on the top floor. There weren’t many people there at all. The receptionist said that they were really only seeing people for treatment. All other appointments were put on hold including scans. I’m not scheduled for scans I until May. I hope this helps. Hang in there ladies.

[cpidacks in reply to Phillipians4and6]

Thanks. Stay safe.

[frances2018]

Hi, I too live in MA and was told yesterday that my scans and ECHO will be canceled/rescheduled and my oncologist appt. will be a video conference. I still have to go into the hospital, but for chemo and bloodwork only.

[cpidacks in reply to frances2018]

Thanks. Stay safe.

[Teeco]

I had a bone scan booked for April 17th and the hospital called last week and cancelled it. Said they would do a follow up with me at the end of April since my appointment with my oncologist isn't until May 5th.

[cpidacks in reply to Teeco]

Thanks. Stay safe. Had my oncology appt today. Had my Faslodex shots. Everyone in the office had the wear a mask. My MRI scan will be delayed because of the virus. Onc did not say when I would have it. She said we will discuss the matter at my next appt the end of April.