NY's pride and joy, Central Park

I had been looking forward a month or so ago to being able to get to Central Park which is beautiful in the Spring. This is our reality now. This is Central Park.

blob:nbcnews.com/b876062a-1e12-4...

[SoCalLady]

They apparently took the page off.

[Hidden in reply to SoCalLady]

It showed Central Park set up like a hospital. This is like watching a movie only you know its not.

[Hidden]

The link doesn't work, as noted, but I googled similar and saw some of the pics.

My gosh! It's just crazy out there!!! I'm concerned that, here in the middle of the U.S. (I'm in Dallas) folks are just not paying attention or, god forbid, have gone tribal.

I've of course always loved Central Park (this is the way cities should design public spaces!!!), and enjoyed the occasional stroll or concert over the years, but I got full blown exposure when my sis ran the NYC marathon a couple of years back...She ran 26 miles, but I'm pretty sure I ran almost half that (felt like it, anyway!) as I zigged and zagged through the park trying to meet up to cheer her on at various places! Great memories, actually...I'm not shy, so I met all sorts of people from all over, e.g. persuading them to cheer for my sis as she ran by!

I already miss our old way of life, which I, for one, took for granted. So sad for all those most affected by this...Including you, Anne Marie....I have a feeling that this is worse than we absorb day-to-day, like a frog in a pot on the stove...

Please take care,

Lynn

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It is out of my hands. My cancer treatment is over. They are not treating us anymore. So people that are not yet in the THICK of it, listen to what I am posting. If it is scaring you, that is why I am posting it. So that you do the things your state or country is telling you.

AND DON'T BITCH AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SMALL THINGS. Because as quick as a blink, the small things will not even matter.

The thought of the after-effects once and if this ends, will be years and I am not being dramatic years.

I cried a little yesterday bc I realize my cancer will spread. I will soon be out of pain meds. I pray I don't get really sick.

NY HOSPITALS ARE NOW ONLY TAKING VIRUS PATIENTS.

It can literally take just 2-3 weeks for your state or country to become like NY. I dont know why I listen every day. But I do.

Now, that I know my cancer treatment is going to be for quite some time, I expect the worst. But if I die alone, so be it. All these virus victims are dying alone.

[Red71 in reply to Hidden]

Did they call you and tell you not to come in?

[Hidden in reply to Red71]

Yes, I was told that they are only admitting those who are now doing intravenous chemo. More than 3/4 of their medical personnel (even my pain specialist) were pulled out of the cancer center and now are being directed to work at the affiliated hospital bc they are overbooked with flu virus victims.

My onco emailed me and will do a phone visit today. Obviously, I cannot get my injections or CT scans for a while but she did write out my meds.

Even if I was allowed into the center, I would NOT go now. I would have to take a medicaid car service and I do not feel safe going in a car not knowing who else has been there.

I am more scared of getting sick from the virus (I may already have it, but I would not even want to know) so I take the basic precautions of self-quaranting. I am passed the 14 day mark and in other day or two I will need to get out to get some food, basic. But I will wait before I go into the small drug store to make sure people are not in there. My pharmacist (it is a very small pharmacy) said they are ONLY allowing two people in there at once.

And I get it. If the cancer center is so short-staffed, then they can only serve a limited amount of people. So it makes sense. The people are intravenous chemo obviously are not stage iv and still have a chance to eradicate their cancer.

Being stage iv we are incurable so I mean it is a no-brainer. If you can only treat a limited amount, then it makes sense to treat those who have a chance of it NOT turning into stage iv. So stage iv people (and other people NOT having that kind of chemo) cannot be treated this time.

It is not about being fair....its is the reality of the situation, and I get it. It makes sense to me.

My onco emailed me and is going to a telephone appt. with me today. We have emailed but even in the email, she said it would not make a big difference if I miss a month or two of my injections. I am still taking my meds.

People need to stop that kind of thinking about who deserves to be treated vs. those who they think don't. Just worry about yourself and if you are following the guidelines.

They can only treated a limited number at the cancer center so should a stage iv get treated over someone who has a chance of it NOT becoming stage iv. No.

Just do what they say. Wash your hands constantly and do not touch your face. And even if you have to go out, stay six feet away from people.

People think wearing masks protect them. It does not...what the masks do is protect others if you have the virus. I was able to get 100 pairs of gloves the last time I was at the pharmacy on 3/16 before the problem got worse. That was my last time out and I live alone and in a very small Brooklyn Apt.

[Hidden]

It’s surreal to see hospital tents set up in the park.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That was jarring, wasn't it but maybe it made some New Yorkers realize the gravity that had not done so before.

[SeattleMom]

An experience no one will forget in their lifetimes! Love and prayers to all of my MBC friends! With much hope that you are all managing as best as you can!!

XXOO Linda in Seattle

P.S. Washington State had a 20% reduction in COVID admissions over the prior week! A small candle flickering at the end of our tunnel!