I know this is a forum board for the stage iv but since the virus started, things have changed for all of us so much. I live in Brooklyn, NY and this is getting scary. I am been homebound as warranted by self-quarantine. I am going crazy...I cannot stop crying as every day more people are dying and more numbers are increasing just in NYC city alone. I cannot travel and I dont drive and I am out of food. A friend in SI said she would pick me up groceries and drive me and leave them for me downstairs.
The cancer is nothing compared to this. I have a developed such a real fear of getting the virus bc I know I will not come out of the hospital. Now, the medical personnel is getting infected and sick.
We will soon not even have enough medical personnel soon. I know there are cases in other state, but I feel like NY and NJ are like separate from the rest of the US.
I am so thankful that this friend is willing to drive from SI to Brooklyn (toll alone is like $15 over bridge.
Prayers for this nurse at Mt. Sinai in NYC who got sick from the virus from trying to care for others. He had severe asthma, and they didn't provide him with the proper masks that are needed for the front line responders. He texted his sister to tell their parents he would be fine and not to worry. And he died.
Please pray for all, but especially here in NY that this does NOT go to other states in the numbers that we are hearing every day. You just get numb. Blessings to all medical personnel (and to all the others who cannot work from home and are out there providing services). It is just getting scary like I am in a bad movie and the director will yet Cut.
All of a sudden, I am losing it and crying non-stop. If I get it, I don't expect to get out of the hospital. I do not even see the point of continuing to get injections. Been almost 12 days so far.
They (the Gov. and Mayor) of NY are being brutally honest about what we can expect. That it is going to get much worse as weeks go on. And you think...how can it? Keep praying but even that seems futile. It's scary that now doctors and nurses are falling ill because they don't have the proper gear to protect themselves. If they start getting sick, what will happen next. I cant even pray anymore. I just needed to vent bc I am alone and scared and tired and can't even pretend this will be over soon.
In NY as of yesterday, we now have 22,300 infected people and 365 deaths and rising. Every day the number is rising, literally every day. The ones that have a mild case of the virus are those that are young and healthy. But when you have 22,300 people in one state infected (and the Gov. said that will increase). Now, we are getting reports of younger people dying. We have had 365 deaths.
Nobody can come visit you so you die alone. The medical personnel are overwhelmed and seeing what is going on and it is going to affect them for life.
Here in NY it is not an exaggeration. It is reality. We had two days ago close to 50 people dying in ONE day at ONE hospital. The reason why,.......the hospital did not have enough ventilators and many of the patients died without even having a chance to survive. And is it a coincidence that this hospital was located in a very low-income poor district. They removed the remaining patients from that hospital.
But you watch the news and see them bringing our large frozen containers one after another from that hospital and you realize they are carrying out the deceased. The number surviving is those that are younger.
My friend who lives in FL and her mother lives in NJ in an assisted living home (NOT a nursing home). Her mother is also wheel-chair bound. Most of the children live in FL but the other three that live in NJ are still going to work bc two of them own a deli and they need to stay open so they are afraid to infect her.
She pushed a button in her apt. the other night bc she started feeling pain and could not breathe. The ambulance came, took her temperature and told her she was not "sick enough" to be taken to the hospital.
So my friend in FL, left her hubby and kids in FL, took the car and started last night driving from FL to NJ because she is worried sick about her mother and plans on bringing her mother back with her to FL so that she can live with them and they can take care of her. She cannot stay in NJ for months because she has twin boys.
It does not really matter how many people are surviving, it is the amount of infected people rising rapidly every day and the number of deaths increasing. Those that survive are younger and healthier. My friend's daughter who is 30 came down four weeks ago with the "flu". She stayed home from work for three days and then felt better and went back to work. Her mother, my friend, who works in a hospital said a doctor there said (her daughter works for Apple at one of their largest stores at Grand Central Station (now closed) probably had the virus but because she is young and healthy, she had mild symptoms.
Here in NY we are running out of hospital beds. They are turning hotels into hospitals, the Jacob Javits Center (a large place where NY held trade shows) into a hospital.
And every day we hear this is just the beginning of the tsunami before the next wave of people who get sick increases. Every single day, the numbers jump by hundreds.
Well, I am sure your PM and Prince Charles have doctors standing outside their doors.
I went from trying to remain calm to just outright fear and panic. A friend in Staten Island (since I cannot take public transportation bc they shut down the buses near me) and I am running out of food.
She is going to buy groceries for me in Staten Island tomorrow morning and then drive to NY (quite a drive) and will put them on the sidewalk and call me so I can come down and get them. As soon as I bring these items into my apt., I am going to wipe down each box and each can one by one before I put them in my pantry.
Such a sad and horrid situation. Praying for you & all those in NYC.
Would any of the wealthy Jewish women living in your building be able to put some food at your door?
Can you stop listening to the news & tracking all this on social media?
Maybe listen to music that relaxes you. Play Sudoku, online Cribbage, etc. Meditate on anything positive you can. It is overwhelming to a healthy person to take in all this negative news much more for those of us who are dependent and fighting for our lives with cancer. Breathe deeply. Try to relax. I know easy to say & hard to do.
Take care of yourself and help yourself the best you can ❤️🙏❤️😷 virtual hugs coming your way.
Thank you for comprehending how bad it is here. Believe me at 60 years old, I am one of the younger people in this building. On my floor alone, I think there are only about 7 of the apts. left that have people in them.
Many of their families have come and taken them out of our building as many of them have home aides and now the home aides have stopped coming.
Basically everyone is self-quaranting themselves in their own apartments and we get daily emails from the management company. If we are found to be infected, we are supposed to notify them so that if we need to go outside, they will isolate an elevator for us to get down and then disinfect that elevator.
They live in the same area as I do. If I cannot find food, neither can they. The doorman desk is cordoned off so that we are like 10 feet away from them.
This virus does not discriminate against who it infects. We have one Kosher supermarket here and I was able to get milk, eggs and butter almost three weeks ago.
Peapod and even Amazon are backed up for almost a month. I mean I have say boxes of rice-a-roni (about 10) so I mean I won't starve.
My friend lives in NJ and was going to buy groceries for her 85 year old mother and some other elderly neighbors. She said she went to four different stores. She said the shelves are empty of the basic items, like milk, eggs, butter, toilet paper. She said it was scary and when talking to the few workers left she was like why are you even open if you have nothing. They said as soon as we get some stuff in, it's gone within an hour. Most stores are participating and now have very strict restrictions like you can only buy one gallon of milk, no more. What if one has children?
I can't meditate. Never could. My mind just immediately jumps to all the bad things. I do not even want to leave on 4/2 to get my injections. I cancelled my last visit and my onco said I really need to get them.
A friend in Staten Island knows a store manager so he tells her when as soon as new stock comes in but she is also restricted on how much she can buy. I made her a list and she said whatever she could get, she would try and would drive from Staten Island to Brooklyn and call me when she is downstairs and leave on the sidewalk. Once I bring those items into the house, I will be using my Lysol wipes on all boxes and cans.
I am constantly washing my hands. Only because I know that if I get this virus (mine is in my lungs) I know I won't be coming home. The sad thing is that nobody can visit these patients so they are dying alone with no family.
Our Gov. and Mayor are telling us the truth. As bad as it is now, it is going to get alot worse. I watch in the morning then I have to turn off bc it is scary how much every day it increases and I feel that I am going to get it. I feel fine now...but I have not been outside for almost three weeks now I think. Time has no meaning anymore.
I do not have a large apt. or a balcony. I just keep my windows open.
My next time out will be on 4/2 when I have to go to cancer center. I promised her and if she is able to come there and the technicians, then I need to go. I am more scared of the car service. My friend said she will bring me some masks (which i dont have). I do have 100 gloves that I use and toss out immediately.
But in the end, there is only so much one can do and then it is left in the hands of God. I thought when I cancelled my cancer appt. that I would get more calm in the days ahead but that is a big mistake. I wish I had went earlier. Anyway, the cancer center will be taking temperatures before they allow anybody in.
I just hit me hard today and I cant stop crying. Sounds stupid, but I would rather die of the cancer than die from this virus. We only have so much we can control and this is not one of those things we have any control over except listening and staying inside as they are asking us. I think watching the news last night and seeing the bring out these large freezer type machines and realizing it was all those people that died at that one hospital in one night was the final straw.
Aamkearns, I am so deeply sorry that this is happening to you and the thousands of others across our country. One of my best friends lives in Queens in a multi-family high rise and is facing the identical challenges you are living with. Just know that we are here to listen and support in anyway we can. My best friend could never learn to meditate either but she found music calming. My very best to you as we each go day by day the very best we can.
I understand completely how you feel. It is terrifying to those of us that have cancer or asthma, etc. You live in a scary area with such a huge population that your numbers are high. Please stay in your apartment and if you need to ask your friend to deliver groceries to you than do so and don’t feel bad about that. Many of us are getting people to deliver to us. Being by yourself must be hard so feel free to post here or send me a DM. Phone your oncologist about your injections. Perhaps there is somewhere to get them instead of the hospital. My brain is muddled today so I can’t remember what you are taking/using. Maybe it is something you can skip if it is a bone strengthener. We don’t even have any sun lately so you could stand by an open window and enjoy that. I’ve been reading a lot and download books to the kindle app. We are here to listen and please DM if you want some one on one. ❤️ Sarah
Thanks for letting us know how you are feeling. What is happening in New York is pretty scary and real. I live very far away from you but soon the “tsunami” will be upon us. Worse, because of our government’s corruption, there is just no money for health care. So far, with 54 deaths, 10 are doctors. So what hope do we have? It all seems hopeless but have faith.
I so agree with what you wrote, MyMiracle. I listen avidly to what Dr. Fauci says. He is an infectious disease Expert. I listen daily to my new boyfriend, very big grin, Mayor Cuomo because he is reaching our whole country with the facts about conditions in his state and those fast approaching all others.
I live alone, have serious COPD and other severe chronic health conditions. My one daughter and family live out-of-state. This is my 16th day of self-imposed isolation. I am remaining calm and not panicked because of the heroism that keeps "leaking out" in media from all those in NY, Washington State,and across the country who are daily risking their lives by continuing to provide health care, food and medicine, help and kindness to others.
Only if the nation as a whole adheres to the guidelines from the CDC, NIH and other reputable sources can we get past this in the nearer future.
This is my 16th day of self-isolation. It has not been as difficult as I'd supposed because I am doing and viewing those things like books, music, virtual tours of other places that bring me comfort.
As an elderly vulnerable person, I'm not willingly going to sacrifice my life to "prop up the economy". I am going to remain aware of what is transpiring and applauding all of the everyday, unsung heroes who in both large and small ways are doing their very best each day to improve conditions for one or many.
Keep the faith, keep the prayers going for our decision makers, and keep in touch. We can help one another by staying cyber connected. Best to all.
There was an article about how "women" are now having big big crushes on Governor Cuomo. He is on the TV constantly, explaining everything to us, and he is right now showing our a ventilator works and the reason we need more. He is going all out on Trump. He is on top of things.
My friend in FL said they are disgusted with their Gov. Governor Cuomo (his father used to be Governor years ago, Mario Cuomo). He is on top of things and fighting to get NY what we need. We are also running out of hospital beds.
Now, NYPD and FDNY and medical personnel are starting to get sick from the virus. Not just infected but are getting sick.
I am so so thankful to my friend who is buying me close to $300 worth of groceries for me bc I have no idea how long I will be here and now they stopped buses where I live.
She is on her way here now. She went shopping in Staten Island (where there is a less than an issue.) I lucked out and have loads of TP, gloves, lysol, and things like that which I ordered from Peapod before everything "changed" so quickly.
Gov. just said it has been only 26 days since the first man in New Rochelle was diagnosed and OMG...it seems like years bc the spread was so so quick.
I am so thankful she is going out of her way (and it really is out of her way) to bring me food as I am down to boxes of rice and roni and 1/2 london broil.
She is buying so much for me (I made a list) bc I dont know how long this is going to be on and I know it is going to get much worse. So this will be the first time out of my apt. I am just going outside to load up the bags in my wagon to bring back upstairs and she will drive right back to Staten Island.
So sad that over 10,000 ventilators were delivered to one of New York's warehouses and Cuomo didn't know were there before he started complaining, and apparently there were another 10,000 or so stockpiled in another warehouse that had been "forgotten" about. Take comfort in the beautiful Navy hospital ship "Comforter" is on it's way to New York.
I am glad to be part of this forum. We all live in different parts of the world yet we share the same concerns. Forecast from a predictive model says that the number of cases here in the Philippines will double every 4 days. We are only at 1,075 positive cases today and the increase is just due to the backlog of tests. Soon the numbers will rise even more as more people get tested and what I am worried about is that the lockdown will not end on April 12 but will be extended.
I think here in NY the quarantine part will still be in effect for a while but a little less restrictions. Like we may now be able to go out, but the staying away from people for at least six feet will still be in effect.
I am watching the TV about a doctor in NY who is saying they are have such a tough time trying to care now for the full time patients they have now that have the full-blown virus symptoms and she said I can't even comprehend how we are supposed to care for the unexpected patients that will be coming soon. She said we just dont have the capacity, or the equipment.
A nurse quit (and I cannot blame her) bc she has a family and said what they were given is not enough to protect them from the virus as they tend to patients. She said they say they do not have enough but how I am supposed to treat patients, without adequate protection for myself, and avoid getting it and infecting my family. So she quit. I do not blame her.
They are the front line responders. They need to be protected bc if we start losing medical personnel to this virus, we are beyond screwed.
A large number of NY cops recently tested for the virus. God place a special blessing on those who have to and are willing to go to work every day to protect us.
Yes, it is so terrifying for all of us stage 4. The lack of respirators makes it a daunting prospect if one may end up in the hospital.
I am alone also and am fortunate my ex shops for me and I can order online and have food delivered even though certain things are scarce. The downside is I am getting in debt as everything is more expensive.
But I do absolutely everything humanly possible to not get infected.
I haven't seen or had in person contact with any of my friends or people in at least a week, I wash and disinfect everything that comes into my house, I have one pair of shoes that I wear for outside and those stay outside. What else can I do?
Like you said, I fear ending up alone in a hospital.
Dreadful times for all of us and the whole world
• in reply to
It is ventilators that they need for the patients. Not respirators. Respirators are worn by the medical personnel. They are running out of not only ventilators but now also hospital beds. They are trying to set up mini hospitals in building and places that were never built for that purpose but desperate times call for desperate measures.
"What is a ventilator?
In medical contexts, a ventilator is a machine that helps a patient breathe. This machine pumps oxygen into the lungs and removes carbon dioxide through a tube. The insertion of this tube into a person’s windpipe (trachea) is called intubation.
The verb ventilate can refer to oxygenating the blood (i.e., supplying it with oxygen) or helping someone breathing using a mechanical ventilator.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, and it can cause lung inflammation (pneumonia), which makes breathing difficulty for patients. That’s why ventilators are needed to help treat some patients with the infection."
That is why so many people died in one day at Elmhurst hospital. They did not have enough ventilators for all the patients that needed them. So close to I think 20 people died in one day. It had to be so hard for the medical personnel to witness.
I lost it while watching on TV and they showed people in suits bringing out big freezers bc you know that inside were deceased people. Somebody's mother, father, son, daughter, friend, neighbor, co-workers. They are not numbers although we hear the numbers every day. It was like 20,000 people in NY the other day, now its 24,000 people today.
Our Gov. Cuomo (he is proving himself to be outstanding), just showed us what it looks they look like and how they work. We were way short on ventilators but more will be coming in.
We had run out of masks especially for the medical personnel. Hundreds who worked in the medical profession and are now retired or are going to medical school to become a technician, nurse or doctors have shown up to help after Gov. Cuomo's call for them please to help and volunteer if they can.
Other states are now making large amounts of masks for the medical personnel and also the people in NY state bc of how bad it is here.
That is why we are call the United States. Other states are going out of their way to make these masks, even for the numerous people in NY and are shipping them out.
Just like after 9/11. Demolition workers with their heavy duty equipment drove from all states to come to NY to help. NYers stayed by the West Side highway and cried and held up signs blessing them and yelling out Thank you.
So thanks to all the states that are trying to help us as much as they can.
It is not just the medical personnel. It is hourly workers that are still picking up our garbage, delivering our mail, delivering home deliveries. They work for hourly wages and still are on the front line continuing to do their jobs.
UNITED STATES - No other country like it. (Of course, I am biased in my statement.)
• in reply to
Yes, I meant ventilators, of course, not withstanding the fact we have a shortage of respirators as well.
• in reply to
And it far more dangerous to other people. Not just people with stage iv cancer. Those with MS, those who has severe asthma, those who have Parkinson's, those who have immune system that are comprised from previous medical illness. We are a small group of people compared to the massive amount of people that have other respiratory issues not related to cancer.
Which is why we all need to be more diligent in washing our hands. They say this constantly washing hands and NOT touching faces.
Your right doctors and nurses (one nurse died the other day. He had asthma and got the virus). He texted to his sister and parents not to worry. He would be fine and was being treated at the hospital he worked at.
He died three days later. He was only 48. His family is complaining saying he was not given the right protection despite the fact that the hospital knew he has severe asthma and yet because of a shortage, he did not have the right type of mask. He thought he would be okay also.
All these people are dying alone with no family close by and the medical personnel are seeing them dye at a rate they never seen people by and it's emotionally and mentally getting to them.
There will eventually be a vaccine (AIDS, SARS, EBOLA) but at what cost to human lives and how long will it take?
When this is over (and at some point it will be) we all, I expect, will look at things even more differently than the cancer. Before we were all worried about the cancer getting us but now its this. Worrying about the cancer only will be a relief in itself.
My friend in NJ has a severe tooth ache. Her regular place is now closed. And she is having trouble finding any dentist that will have her come in or they are booked for a month.
So many other aspects of our lives and other people's lives are changing and its a trick down effect. I pray for all.
Actually what I wanted to say is YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I may be on the other side of the States, but we are close and connected in our collective fear. We must hang in there!
I understand your fear. I am not afraid of the cancer, I have made my peace with it and will chose when to give up and let the cancer have its way. But that is not today! But I am afraid of this virus. I am afraid of being in the hospital without my family . They are all medical and I depend on them to make sure that the doctors are doing the right thing and doing everything. I want to hug my children and grandchildren again. I do not want to die alone either.
New York is one of the worst hit spots right now. It has got to be horrible. But remember not everyone gets it and not everyone dies. You are doing what your are supposed to do, including going to your appointments. That should get you some extra points in this world!
Please do not give up. We all have these feelings, so visualize us all holding hands with you(from 6 feet away). You have been great to post funny stuff to lift our spirits, tell us what we can do to lift yours.
No, not every one dies. But the ones that survive are in better shape, health wise and younger although now some cases are popping up of people passing who had no health issues.
All these people are dying alone. My heart bleeds for them. I am terrified. Like you mentioned, with the cancer, I will have more warning and time.
I do not want to be wind up in the hospital. I have mets in my lungs.
So far we have had 365 people die and that was the number I think two days ago. A NY paper said one person in NY is dying every 17 minutes.
I just know that if I go into the hospital, I won't be coming out. It is said the longer you need a ventilator to breathe, the less likely you have a chance of surviving. I am almost thinking what would be the point of even going to the hospital but I guess if you can't breathe, you would have to go.
Stupid people in NY. Some of the younger adults are sticking their nose up at NOT congregating in groups of 10s. They are setting up coronva virus parties in different areas of NY. The Mayor is coming down hard on them.
They have all pertinent companies following the legal restrictions that the Mayor and Governor have put into place.
Mortgage companies, Landlords, credit card companies are on board.
The Mayor and Governor just stated that banks cannot penalize people or ruin their credit bc many cannot make their mortgage payments, LANDLORDS WHO RENT ARE FORBIDDEN FROM EVICTING ANY OF THEIR TENANTS.
Your post broke my heart. I can’t even imagine how scary it must be. I spoke to friends from New York and it is indeed very serious.
I concur With whoever said not to watch the news too much. Much better to read or watch lightweight movies. While I agree that Governor Cuomo is speaking straight, to hear the pundits analyze what he and everyone else says over and over and over just adds to the stress without adding to our knowledge or control of the situation.
It sounds like you are taking all of the right steps to keep yourself healthy. Staying home. Washing your hands. Asking for help. Hopefully your trip to the doctor next week will not be too difficult.
I am so glad you are reaching out here with such honesty. You are absolutely in my prayers.
Thank you. I was crying all day the other day. I realize people I know cannot help me when they live far and have other family members they need to help. I was scared bc buses near me have stopped. And I was down to 10 boxes of rice a roni.
My friend from Staten Island just left. She put her mask on and gloves and went shopping in Staten Island. She drove by herself from Staten Island to NY and called me when downstairs.
I went downstairs and stayed away from her as she put them on the sidewalk and I put them in my large wagon I brought down. I wanted to hug her bc of course can't.
I now have meat. They restricted some things like bread. I was only able to get one loaf but I get it. I was going to freeze the other one but they have to restrict.
Even the meat. She was limited to only buying saying two packs of chicken cutlets. That is fine. She bought me alot of macaroni. And Ragu Sauce and frozen foods and Milk, butter and breakfast foods. Tunafish (limited to four cans) and Peanut butter and jelly. Things that will last a long time for me.
So it is ironic. Me and my friend Christine worked together over 20 years ago. We have arguments ALL the time and stop speaking for like a month or so and then pick up.
Last week alone I think we had like four arguments and hung up on each other.
But when push came to shove, she is the one that went shopping or me in Staten Island, drive to Brooklyn and left me bags of food. (She also gave me a surprise...I love peanut butters but of course did not put that on my list). So she bought two two large king-size Reese's peanut butter cups.
And your good deed was giving your friend an excuse to get out of her house for a bit . I took a long drive yesterday and felt guilty as I had no where really to go, but desperately wanted a change of scenery. And to listen to the radio!
Your story made me think how one of my best best friends for more than thirty years is a woman I shared an apartment with in our twenties and we HATED each other. Fought like cars and dogs!!! Now we are each other’s children’s godparents.
Oh honey, what a situation you're in. I totally understand your concerns. I've been watching the international news reports.
The governor of New York is doing his best but coming up against many challenges, some not in his power to do anything about.
But you are safe in your home if you do not have visitors and your groceries are dropped at the door by your friend. Bless her, She truly is an Angel.
In the UK many neighbourhoods have set up ways of helping the vunerable like getting their shopping and medical supplies, taking them to hospital appointments. Is there anything like that where you are,?
We also have people who have volunteered to make calls to those who are in isolation, vunerable and are in need of someone to talk to. Perhaps there's another person in our online community that also lives in NY and can advise if there are such volunteers where you are?
No, even those who worked or volunteered for say City Meals. They are infected and the amount of volunteers able to help is limited which is why the Gov. asked us, the people, to try and reach and share if we have elderly in our building what we can with them.
On my floor of the high-rise, I think there are only like five of us left. Many came and took their elderly family members out of here bc now home aides have stopped coming and many of them cannot care for themselves. I am Catholic and live in a very wealthy Jewish community but they always take care of their family and elderly (similar to the Chinese). So many of the elderly have already been taken out of this building.
I mean some of them cannot even walk. So people (younger adults (not all of them are idiots like the ones throwing parties in the park) have started their own volunteer groups in their own neighborhood but you have to be careful.
Before I put all the groceries away that my friend bought for me (over $200 and all FOOD), I had my gloves on and wiped everything down until that may be excessive, I am doing it anyway.
Now, they will have Take-out Tuesdays (in order to help restaurants that cannot open, just deliver) in which you can order take-out at 1/2 the regular prices. (They will be getting help from the govt.).
The other idea I ordered and it came to $15 and I gave the delivery man (Chinese with mask on and gloves a $10 tip.
TIP THE DELIVERY WORKERS MORE THAN USUAL. If they are willing to be delivering food (and some of them just use those motorbikes), tip them well bc if they are desperate enough to do a job like that, they really need the money.
I agree . I've been giving the cab driver taking me to and from the hospital a big tip. His wife doesn't want him to work. She's worried he'll get the virus but he says he has to help.
Thanks and I would also be tipping the free rides I get to my cancer dept. from Medicaid tips. They never get tips bc they are paid from their company which is the company NY Medicaid picked so they are making big bucks, but not the drivers. So even before the virus I would always give them a $3 tip bc I am getting the ride there and home for free (otherwise it would cost me $18 one way.)
They are always surprised and grateful for the tip. But now, during this time, they will be getting even a bigger tip for me. Not all on SS or SSDI can afford to do this, but I can at this point so I know a tip is a big deal for them.
Delivery man also who deliver take out food, I now double the tip.
I’m in shock, I don’t know what to say to any of you in New York. Or New Jersey. It’s devastating. I haven’t been on this site for a while because I’ve been too shocked about everything really. And in between it all, I bought myself a little camper-van to get away from it all. But now there’s no “away” to go to cause all the borders are closed in Australia.
It’s too incredible for any of us to get our heads around. This one is bigger than all of us. We just have to stay as safe as we can and let the rest take its course. The only way we can save ourselves or others, is by keeping as strict as we can for our own safety.
I feel for the entire medical field. They are witnessing loads of people coming in so sick, unable to breathe, not have enough ventilators, and watching how many die. In one hospital, we had over 20 people die in one day. A nurse posted an article that her and her coworkers are having a hard time seeing this and then seeing people they were taking care of die.
Just one hospital and 20 in one day. ONLY because there were not enough ventilators for them. I was so upset because of course that hospital was in a very low-income area so some just laid there and died bc they did not have them.
Besides the long hours, these medical personnel are still showing up and going.
My friend is 60 years old. She works in maintenance dept. of a hospital. She is the one that has to clean patient's bathrooms, change the sheets on the bed when one leaves, scrub the floors. She is small and yet she is still going to work every day because she knows they need her.
She breaks her back, cannot work from home and is ONLY paid $38,000 (In NY, that is pennies). The damn union needs to make sure her and other people in that union (home care aides) are given "battle pay". They need to raise their low hourly rates bc they are working in like a war zone.
I had no idea my friend made that little. I am now 60 and I made that when I was like 24. And its back-breaking work and I am furious that her Union is not fighting for their people and raising their hourly wage to reflect the danger they are putting themselves in.
I intend to start writing emails and such to have that President of that Union realize they need major hourly increases. Her job is important and she said I can't stay home. f So many hourly workers still have to go to work and their rate should be substantially increased for the risks they are taking.
Those cleaners and all other cleaners deserve more than the celebrities get. I think that would be a great place to jot your anger at this time ammkearns! Good on you.
And this is a good site for getting a grip on what happening worldwide. They update it all the time!
My friend said that to me. Will you please start writing emails. I am like that. When I get angry, I email every government official. You would be surprised when persistence pays off.
I now have a Medicare car service website that serves all of NY and its five boros. I go online and book a car (has to be 3 days in advance). And basically any place that accepts medicaid you can get a car to. So I put in the first three letters of the address and the place will come up. And it is not just for cancer, for any kind of doctor or dentist, I get free car service there and back which is a godsend bc I dont drive nor do I have anyone to drive me.
I was then put or rather LOL forced onto Medicare and thus lost my free car service bc I no longer had medicaid. Well, I did a pooled trust spend down so that I could have Medicare as my primary and FULL medicaid as my secondary. I was finally approved so now I have dual coverage (meaning I do not pay a penny for anything; whatever Medicare does not pay for, Medicaid picks up plus Medicaid now pays my Medicare premiums.)
I was just so happy to get the free car service back bc taking a bus and train was wearing me down.
I tried several times but the site had my old Medicaid number. I called several times and they said they fixed it. I spoke to the person in charge of transportation at the cancer center, the social worker and they all called and said The service said they fixed it but they did not so I was able to log in but because they still had my old medicaid number, it kept saying I was ineligible.
After three weeks of this nonsense, I went to the Linked.com site (which is a website for professionals in all different fields.)
Mind you this company has a contract with Medicaid to they make major major bucks. They have 60 different car services. I found out who the President of the company was, the Vice President, the Vice President of Technology and even a HR person.
I was seething and said it is unbelievable that a company of this size that gets paid big bucks from Medicaid and not one person knows how to go into the system and update my new medicaid number and that unless this was resolved, I was emailing Medicaid to file a complaint against them.
The very next day the Vice President of Technology, emailed me and apologized and that very day it was updated. This after three weeks of calling them staff, the cancer center and the social worker and they kept saying They said it is correct when it was not.
So sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horn. The social worker at the Cancer Center was like good for you.
I intend to write a massive amount of emails stating that these workers need increased hourly wages during this period of time. My friend is doing back-breaking work for hardly any money in a hospital.
I am going to email blast the President of that Union which also covers home aides. NON_STOP>
Ann-Marie, Hopefully, warmer weather will help slow Covid-19 down. Some experts say we can't control it without massive testing. You have a great pro-active governor. Unfortunately, we don't. He doesn't want to believe reality. I am watching too much TV but doing things other than watching news would be better for everyone. Blessings Hannah
My friend in FL said they are totally disgusted by their Governor. We are blessed to have Gov. Cuomo. (An article said many women are getting "crushes" on him because of how strongly he comes out fighting for NY for what we need NOW. Not two weeks from now, NOW.
What difference would it make if I get tested now. We are being told to self-quarantine which I am doing. It is very very isolating. One thing to live alone and get used to it, but a whole different thing when you are told YOU CANNOT LEAVE.
Things change so much in NY with new rules and such. I did watch for several hours and then I turn off.
Gov. Cuomo told us that many of us are infected at this point which is why he is pleading with us to stay inside. They do not have time to test people right now. If you go to the hospital, complaining about flu-like symptoms, they are not letting them into hospitals. They can tell who has full-blown effects from the virus. They say you struggle to breathe, and now some "new symptoms" that some are experiencing are a loss of the sense of smell and taste.
The ones that are surviving this are ones that are younger and have no underlying medical issues. But not just people with cancer, loads of people have medical other issues.
In God's hands we have to put our trust. I am doing what I am being asked to do. I am lonely and I was doing okay, until I seen all the bodies they were bringing out of that hospital and then I cracked.
I thought 9/11 was the very worst thing that could happen to the US and NY. This is something we hear about in other countries. Now it has come here. I pray that it DOES NOT spread to other states in the US like it is here in NY and NJ.
Trump said he spoke to UK PM (Boris) who has been infected. He told Trump, that he is asking the US for help, bc like with NY, they do not have enough ventilators. Trump said we have loads of companies now making them and they will also provide to UK.
This is not just a NY thing (although we are most hardly hit), it is a world thing and we are all humans so we have to help if UK needs help.
We have been lucky here in Oregon. Our governor took early steps to talks us to avoid groups, let schools out. And then told everybody to self quarantine. Pretty much everybody obeyed except for people wanting to go to the beach. I suppose they thought that on Oregon beaches, usually quite windy and cold, that there would be no problem isolating yourself from others. But they were also buying the supplies that the residents needed. In one town the sheriff told all visitors they had 24 hours to get out of town or he would arrest them! Good old western justice! They are saying that we have probably missed having as bad a time as New York because of earlier quarantine and people actually doing it.
I think those people in New York who are going to parties and doing things like that should get something on their drivers license that says they are not to access respirator care. You deserve it, they don’t.
How I wish you had had a way to get out of town to stay with someone while this is going on. It is hard to be isolated alone. Put on some music instead of the tv and go clean out that closet!
A friend said (knowing I could not) why don't you come to Fl and stay with us? I said that would not be good for your family or for FL. Plus (not offense to those who live there), I am not a fan of FL.
I’m certainly not a fan of the governor of Florida who is doing nothing to protect the people of his state. I actually lived in Florida for a time. It’s not my favorite place either. But it would have been nice if you weren’t alone all the time in this crisis. But I get it, sometimes it is better to be alone than in the wrong situation. Elaine.
Wow....my other friend in FL said the same thing to me the other day via a phone call. She said I know its worse in NY but at least your Governor Cuomo is fighting for his state. She said she was so disgusted by the Gov. of FL because she feels he is not doing anything and if this continues, that FL will become the next NY. She said their Gov. should be putting things in place NOW, now when it becomes like NY.
The pace is slower here in the UK, but it is quickening and will get worse.
I’m sure we all think the same about our chance of survival, so all we can do is stay as safe as possible and try to ride this.
Josie told me something about ‘viral load’ when I was questioning why some people have mild symptoms and some go on to die. This might help with your panic (it did mine). Please excuse my basic explanation, but this is how I calm my fear: If you touch a door handle with small amounts of bacteria you are likely to get a small amount of virus. If you touch your face it may track to your nose, but it might just stay there. If, like the doctors, you come into contact with more and more types of the virus, it will then have more of a chance to travel to your lungs, and that’s when it hits hard. The way I see it, we are isolating and wiping down, so we are at much less risk of catching the virus, and much less risk of catching lots of virus. Hope this helps.
Thank you. Just reading the posts from fellow members on this board make me feel better. I feel a sense of relief now that my friend drove in from Staten Island to Brooklyn to drop me off loads of food that she bought for me. She put them on the curb on the street and I put them in my wagon.
I was so thankful and it felt so odd not to be able to give her a hug and thank her.
It's funny. This friend was a former coworker from 20 years ago (some of my best friends were former coworkers, so even when I left a firm, I maintained relationships with them.
We fight like a married couple. She is single but has two kids a 22 year old and a 17 year old (who is upset there will be no prom)
So for her to go shopping in Staten Island (with her mask and gloves) and then drive to NY (the toll over the Verzanno Bridge is almost $17 now, but bc she lives in Staten Island, I think she pays a bit under $10.
So once she left, I use zelle to put the money she spent into her banking account from mine. I also gave her an extra $15. She called to ask why I put more money in her account than what she spent on the groceries.
I said well, I wanted to obviously pay for the toll and the gas. She said that was not necessary and I said of course it was. You spent your money and drove over the Bridge to get to me to give me the groceries plus I said I paid you 50 cents for the hourly wage of shopping for my groceries and packing them and driving here and back. I said obviously I am not a great employer.
So grateful to her though. And feel relief. I have to go to cancer center bc I had already cancelled for my shots three weeks ago so my onco said I need them plus need to see her and blood work so or me it is more or less a trip out of my apt.
I will never forget the kindness of what she did. Actions always speak louder than words.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Oncologist recommendation 
