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I’m worried about cancer “upstaging” due to coronavirus


Scruboak

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I had my PET/CT scan yesterday and won’t know the results until next Tuesday for the  nodule specialist appointment.  The pulmonary function test was canceled due to hospital preparing for coronavirus. The thoracic surgeon appointment is still on for the 27th of March.  Then I read this article 

https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/18/cancer-heart-surgeries-delayed-coronavirus/   in the Denver Post.  What a crazy time.  The nodule I have seems to be hooked on to the pleural lining and I am scared that this inevitable delay will cause staging to increase. The article  mentions sacrificing the individual for the “collective good”.  Help me get my head on straight!

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Wow. I am hoping your surgery stays on schedule. I was in such a hurry to get my tumor removed I could hardly stand the wait, so I feel your anxiety.

Be your own advocate. Insist it be done on schedule unless the day of it proves impossible.

Tom

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Tom, I’m having a lot of trouble with “acceptance” right now. I get some relief when I meditate so I’m sitting a lot.  Taking small hikes (except there is high wind today and snow).   Arrrgggh!

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Scruboak,

Wow, that is scary. To me, this rationing of treatment is akin to treating those who might have a deadly disease while postponing treatment for those who have a deadly disease. I'd still press for the procedure.

Stay the course.

Tom

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Is there a facility that just specializes in cancer treatment close to you so your procedures would not be happening in the same building as people being treated for the coronavirus?  Feel free to reach out to the HELPLine, too, if you need resources or any assistance: https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/support-services/lung-cancer-helpline

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Kristin, good question. I have been going to UC Health in Colorado Springs. They have a separate cancer center but I think they use the main hospital for surgery?   I’ll find out more next week. I plan to ask the docs about the danger of pleural invasion according to the PET I had yesterday. We live in the middle of nowhere and the Springs is close to 100 miles from us.

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I'm with you, @Scruboak. The guy who was going to fix the left subclavian called just now to cancel my appt next week. The office said they would be in touch. That's going to delay my chemo. I don'rt know what it means for the cancer. Everyone was all 'hurry up and rush' after the diagnosis. I did get the lung surgery done the end of January. Nothing since. Good luck and safe travels to you.

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How are you healing up GAM? I keep waiting for a call regarding Chemo being delayed but still two weeks out for next cycle so plenty of time I guess. 

If it happens I will suggest we skip ahead to radiation. I'm hoping they will go for that if it comes to it.

Peace

Tom

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@TJM

 

I've had a really good week. My strength is coming back with Physical Therapy. I may have mentioned I ditched all pain medicine except extra-strength Tylenol, which has made a big difference. Still three weeks to go on the 4xday antibiotics IV. Really positive stuff. Like you, I'm really anxious to get the chemo. I want to know if they got all of it, but that will have to wait for the next PET scan. That could be months off at this rate.

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One of the things that is almost impossible to manage is getting ahead of ourselves, try not to worry until you have something to worry about.  One step at a time. 
 

If necessary- Might be a total long shot however the American Lung Association does have local lobbyists.... they’ve got to be good for something??? American Cancer Society is pretty much worthless too.  
Hang in there as best you can.  

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