Like many of you this week, I have been reading multiple articles about how the corona virus may effect those living with cancer and how best to protect ourselves. Many of us who did not take this threat too seriously 3 weeks ago, are now reevaluating although I remind everyone that it may be no worse than the influenza threat that kills many each year – albeit we don’t read about it daily. WHO estimates between 250,000 – 650,000 die from influenza annually.
Amongst several articles that are in my inbox, I have a couple of first hand experiences. The first is from Shira Zwebner, a regular contributor to the CURE website, that you’ll find here; and the second is by our Board Chair Peter Kafka, reprinted from his meeting reminder to the virtual group Peter moderates. (rd – apologies for all the typos first time around; forgot to proof!!)
All of the sudden the world is thrust into a new paradigm in reaction to the onslaught of the Covid-19 coronavirus. I suspect that many of us can tell stories about how our lives and communities are already being impacted by this new threat. It looks like we are all in for quite a ride for some time to come. Some might discount these events or downplay the seriousness of the virus, but it can’t be denied that there is an overriding sense of fear and anxiety in many quarters.
How does this relate to those of us dealing with cancer? Oddly enough there are many crossovers and “take homes”. Who among us did not feel fear and anxiety and a sense that our world as we had known it was coming to an end when we were first diagnosed with this cancer? I know for myself that fear was a dominant feeling. Because it was all so new and I was unprepared and uninformed my emotional response was quite out of control. Fortunately, I found support quickly and was led to experts in the field who could set me on a steady course and explain exactly what was going on and help put things in perspective.
Most of us have found that our worlds did not completely fall apart. Yes, many things may have changed – they certainly have for me and those closely around me. But life has gone on and adjustments have been made. We humans are remarkably resilient creatures and can adapt to amazing challenges and circumstances. For myself, I have just embarked upon a heavy-duty regimen of chemotherapy for my aggressive advanced prostate cancer. Perfect timing to put myself into a situation where my immune system will be further compromised by the chemotherapy infusions. And what a time to have to show up at our local hospital every three weeks for a day of infusions. So much for my luck.
I guess I am one of the lucky ones who has jumped to the head of the line in the high-risk category for dying from Covid-19 Coronavirus, over 70 years old with cancer and a compromised immune system. But somehow, I am just not over consumed by this thought at the moment. I am not going to be cavalier and take stupid risks, but I can really only deal with one big threat at a time and for me it happens to be the prostate cancer. I think my ongoing 6-year journey with this disease has put me in a mindset of preparedness. Fear is no longer driving my decisions and actions. Understanding and intelligence rule the day for me.