How to Deal with Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

If you have recently been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or are undergoing treatment such as pre or post-surgical chemotherapy, radiation treatments or the numerous at-home chemo treatments, having to deal with the coronavirus crisis surely doesn’t help the situation.

As it is, one must deal with an already weakened immune system not to mention those of you/us who are recovering from colorectal cancer surgery to remove most if not all of the tumor(s) as well as compromised organs, tissues and surrounding lymph nodes.

All of that, and then throw in a global pandemic into the mix and the anxiety level goes through the roof.  You not only need to stay away from people and crowds that may get you sick, but now you have a whole new set of rules and a virus that may compromise your overall wellbeing……and, may kill you.

So now, you also need to be cognizant of your surroundings including (but not limited to) immediate family members, caregivers and other patients who may or may not be carrying the COVID-19 virus, which by the way is responsible for the coronavirus disease.

It’s a constant changing (medical and political) situation that you need to remain informed of.  Every colorectal cancer patient should remain concerned yet, calm and informed of the latest developments because you/we are at higher risk (immunosuppressed) due to surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments that really do a number on the immune system.

While reading CURE Magazine the other day, I came across this article that listed some basic guidelines for those individuals who are at higher risk such as, avoiding large gatherings, meticulous hand-washing, avoiding air travel and cruise ships while remaining even more vigilant about precautions given by the CDC and other public health channels.

Additionally (if that wasn’t enough), those of you/us with other conditions such as heart disease, lung diseases and diabetes should especially be practicing social distancing because by not doing so, can lead to complications directly due to the coronavirus as well as many other factors.

Oh, and it isn’t lost on me either that this is all amid the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (March) and that although we are trying to raise awareness of colorectal cancer (bowel cancer as they call it in the UK) and encouraging those at risk to get screened, it’s pretty much been a lost cause due to the non-stop coverage in the news and online about COVID-19.

Now, I’m NOT a doctor or anything but, because my requests for an interview (to multiple colorectal cancer surgeons and oncologists) have gone unanswered, I would simply say that for those of you “at risk”, definitely practice social distancing, don’t travel, contact you’re your clinic ahead of time to find out if your treatments will or will not continue while the pandemic is still considered “an issue” or, a “crisis” and if your particular [upcoming] surgery will be rescheduled or not. 

However, if you display any of the following symptoms below, be sure to call ahead to determine if you should go into the ER, an urgent care center or your doctors clinic:

• development of a cough
• shortness of breath
• a fever
• ……or generally feeling sick. 

Remember, be vigilant when it comes to cleanliness and wash your hands well, wipe down surfaces with disinfectant wipes if you have them, and for God’s sake, go easy on the toilet-paper!  LoL 

I can’t believe the panic buying that has stripped our shelves of the basic necessities like non-perishable foods, paper products and healthcare products that have nothing to do with combating the coronavirus.    *****sigh*****

Take care of yourself and, stay safe…..it’s a crazy world out there!  

Cheers!  –JR

#BraveNewWorld