Do you have a question for an expert?
MarilynOCC
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Hi everyone,
With so much going on in our world and so much uncertainty, you may have a lot of unanswered questions and/or concerns right now about your health, your treatment and anxiety about all that is happening around us. In an effort to respond to this, we are setting up an "Ask the Expert" opportunity. If you have a question, please post it here and then we will get the answer for you from the appropriate expert. We will be publishing the answers online and through social media.
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This may help ease some of the anxieties and reassure us as we try to navigate the next few months. Great to get some answers from a reliable source.
As someone still undergoing treatment, at this time, I feel terrified to actually go in to the treatment centre.
So my question is to those working in the cancer treatment centres. The answer I suppose may be vary depending on the province, treatment center location and this may well be an ever evolving situation, with many changes to processes/protocols.
What specific safety steps, additional safety procedures are being taken during the actual chemotherapy treatment?
Cleaning / disinfecting processes, number of patients ratio vs nurses, etc., changes to physical set up of treatment stations, extra cleaning in washrooms.
So for now, and to ease my worries, my plan is to contact my treatment centre and the medical team to ask all of these concerns a couple of days before the next treatment.
I am managing ok.
In regards to my previous post, I have come to realize that the treatment centre is probably the safest place we could be going now. I have had a couple of discussions with those on the inside and those who have gone for chemo already, so I am feeling slightly reassured for now. As this is an ever changing situation, we will see what transpires next week.
I will keep notes and update you all about my experience so perhaps I can share some details to help anyone else as well.
Stay well and remember - I will always be saying my prayers for all of us!
An MRI is the next step- along with a referral to the OBGYN. However, given the Covid situation we are unsure how long this will take. The ultrasound was essentially inconclusive.
Thank you!
Are you able to call back to your DR office or discuss these recent findings to gain a better understanding of your situation? Perhaps a call to a nurse practitioner if you have access to one as part of your team, may be a place to start if you can't get back to the "diagnosing" doctor. It is good they are proceeding with the MRI as it should show a clearer "picture" of the situation and will help your provider to guide the diagnosis/treatment.
Yes, this COVID situation is making everything so complex- and of course it varies by province. Which province are you located in?
Do not let them push you aside and keep asking lots of questions. There are so many variables and considerations... Your medical team may and should be able to guide you with the process.
Here is hoping you get the answers and the support you need at this time. Hope that helps you a little bit and you find comfort in knowing we are here as much as we can be across the miles at this challenging time.
Each province/case is different.... I am uncertain your reference to out of pocket costs related to your diagnosis/treatment