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Posted 3/27/2020 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn’t call this a treatment disruption per se. But an annoyance nonetheless. I’m scheduled for PSA, T bloodwork and a follow up with my RO on April 13th. It’s looking more and more like I’m not going to make that appointment which is in NYC, with me being “stuck” in Florida until the intensity of the crisis lessens in NY.

Not the end of the world, but I was both looking forward to, and apprehensive about, the PSA results, now that I’ve been above castrates levels and rising on my T levels for over 6 months. Of course I could test on my own down here, but My RO tests down to .05, while labcorp goes to .002, which frankly, if I’m detectable, but below .05, I don’t really care to know, and to do a standard PSA test is useless. Plus it’s a different assay. And I’d rather stay away from a testing site right now.

Anyone else with similar disruptions, or more serious disruptions?
Posted 3/27/2020 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
my hot water heater crapped out two days ago and cold showers are a major disruption! the cost for a new heater is $1400. it's turning into a depression here.

I could go on if you wish smile
Posted 3/27/2020 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
This is, I suspect, a major issue for many people. We've seen at least one member here (Star) who is in the midst of diagnosis and decision making time and has run into being told that they will need to wait for treatment until the dust settles.

I had a similar series of calls early this week: I had an appointment (made 6 months ago) for my 5 year post surgery checkup. I had the blood draw on March 2, before the crazy started. I got two calls a few hours apart. The first was, "we are cancelling all appointments, please call and reschedule--it will be at least a month or two or longer". Then, a few hours later, they called back and said that I was NOT cancelled.

This situation has thrown the entire system into a spin. I doubt whether the doctors have any idea what will be different tomorrow compared to today--much like the rest of us.
Posted 3/27/2020 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I don't test until the end of June, and if this is still going on, I will put it off. No way I am walking into a hospital lab.
Posted 3/27/2020 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Randy had his appointment Wednesday for his Lupron injection and clinical trial check-in at Emory (Winship Cancer). We were met a the door by folks with hand sanitizer who asked about any flu symptoms, coughing, fever or shortness of breath. The number of chairs in the waiting areas were fewer, with signs on every other one reminding folks to maintain social distancing. The nurse in the doctor's office told us that only patients in active treatment were there. All check-up type appointments had been cancelled. So, at this point, at least, those in active treatment are still being seen.

Donna.
Posted 3/27/2020 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
For my wife and I our routine dental cleanings were canceled, we got a note from Kaiser asking us to call for everything and use the web portal as much as possible. Right now I'd be very worried about going anywhere near a doctor's office or hospital for anything right now.

We have a friend who has stage 4 lung cancer and needs to go to the clinic for chemo this week. She's freaking out and I don't blame her.
Posted 3/27/2020 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
I am not due for blood work until the end of May, so I should be OK. I have talked to a friend up north and the start of his radiation treatment was delayed for 2 months. He also said his wife was not allowed in the office for his consult last week.
Posted 3/27/2020 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
I went to Dana Farber yesterday for my pre-radiation MRI. Very few people working or allowed in. I was met at the door and evaluated from 6 feet away. The lady that checked me in at radiation was my MRI tech. no one else in the lobby. Parking was a breeze! My MO appointment and my 2nd Lupron shot is next Thursday and is still on. I expect I will get the shot. I was in communication with my MO's nurse yesterday and she said, see you next week.
Posted 3/27/2020 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Pratoman,

I had blood drawn at the clinic lab earlier this week. They are doing CV symptom screening at the outside entrance, then disinfecting the phlebotomy chair after each patient.
Posted 3/27/2020 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
My 4-month PSA / Testosterone draw is May 6 here in NJ and I am hopeful things will calm down before then. I understand the lab is currently open, so I suppose that is a good sign, although I don’t think I would feel comfortable going.
Posted 3/27/2020 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think Dana Farber was the safest place in town yesterday. I was very impressed.
Posted 3/27/2020 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Prostate Cancer Foundation disagrees with you. They say stay out of hospitals right now.
Posted 3/27/2020 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
And stop your treatments? I am into my 2nd month of ADT. No way I am starting over. Optional treatments, checkups, labs, YES. Not active treatments.
Posted 3/28/2020 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
My blood draw is next week. Last 4 month Lupron shot one year ago, My Uro medical group also canceled all follow up appointments if I’m in good shape results wise just an email saying congratulations, if not a telehealth conference and transfer to oncologist.
Nervous hell no 😱😱😱
Posted 3/28/2020 3:28 AM (GMT 0)

Duck2 said...
Prostate Cancer Foundation disagrees with you. They say stay out of hospitals right now.


As a blanket statement that’s just ignorant, doubt they would say that for liability reasons alone.
Posted 3/28/2020 11:15 AM (GMT 0)
I am in the middle of radiation at Fox Chase in Philadelphia. They gave me a letter to keep in my car saying that I was on the way to/from their center for cancer treatments......just in case I get pulled over.
Posted 3/28/2020 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
There's a lot of fear around right now, and that complicates everything. My best freind was by yesterday, has an appointment for a biopsy next week and needed some reassurance. PSA and scans indicate a need for more information and the docs have not cancelled despite the epidemic. We will keep our fingers crossed.
Posted 3/28/2020 12:18 PM (GMT 0)

Duck2 said...
Prostate Cancer Foundation disagrees with you. They say stay out of hospitals right now.

Duck do you have a link to them saying that? I'd love to read it. Thanks, I appreciate it.
Posted 3/28/2020 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
I guess we need to all be super vigilant (obviously) and balance that with taking care of our health. I'm seeing lots of telemedicine being offered for non emergency visits.
Posted 3/28/2020 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Wish I could telemedicine my blood to them.
Posted 3/28/2020 12:52 PM (GMT 0)

Buddy Blank said...

Duck2 said...
Prostate Cancer Foundation disagrees with you. They say stay out of hospitals right now.

Duck do you have a link to them saying that? I'd love to read it. Thanks, I appreciate it.


As I thought it’s the normal don’t go to a hospital unless you need to, delay elective visits It’s in this video
https://www.pcf.org/covid-19/
Posted 3/28/2020 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
I had my uro visit and PSA blood draw a week ago. They had many cancelations and were moving largely to teleconferences. The prior week the president allowed Medicare to reimburse for more teleconferences so the docs can get paid. Before it was terribly restrictive. My uro had several surgeries during the week. At that time our county of 230,000 people had 10 cases of CV and no one in the hospital. Today we have 15 cases. Our hospital says they are ready, but still no patients. Hope it stays that way.

I am scheduled for a colonoscopy in April. My GI has closed for a week. He has his own facility so I won’t be going to the hospital for the procedure if it occurs as scheduled. Last week I was to have my scheduled eye injection, but the retinal center closed for a week and rescheduled for April. I had some minor surgery two weeks ago and had to return for the removal of the sutures and the office is closed except for emergencies. They have initiated teleconferences. Also my PCP group with 12 offices and 100 docs has moved mostly to teleconferences and has set up several testing stations. My wife was scheduled for an epidural for her back problems, but her doc stopped all elective procedures for a couple of weeks. So treatment interruptions abound in all areas.
Posted 3/28/2020 3:22 PM (GMT 0)

FranPro said...
I went to Dana Farber yesterday for my pre-radiation MRI. Very few people working or allowed in. I was met at the door and evaluated from 6 feet away. The lady that checked me in at radiation was my MRI tech. no one else in the lobby. Parking was a breeze! My MO appointment and my 2nd Lupron shot is next Thursday and is still on. I expect I will get the shot. I was in communication with my MO's nurse yesterday and she said, see you next week.

Thanks for the report on your experience at D-F. I've been worried about needing to go to D-F soon for a scan, especially with no way to avoid close contact in elevators and waiting areas. From what you describe that won't be a problem

I have a scheduled quarterly appointment with my MO there on April 10. I was due for an Axumin PET scan a week later but that has now been postponed due to push-back from my insurance company. I spoke with my MO's assistant yesterday and we agreed that unless my MO says otherwise I will go to my local hospital where I have a standing order for monthly PSA and T tests and then have a telephone consult with my MO instead of coming in. Based on the PSA results in April or maybe the results in May they will try again to schedule the Axumin scan. Given my rate of increase I expect PSA will be high enough soon to satisfy Blue Cross.
Posted 3/28/2020 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
I am 70 miles from a city of 30,000 in north central South Dakota that has 2 cases of CV none hospitalized. I saw my MO Thursday and was quickly scheduled for a Monday port placement and the first of 6 Taxotere infusions. The hospital is no visitors, no elective surgery, everyone entering is screened. I also do Physical Therapy twice a week at a separate center that is business as usual but everybody is screened. SD has about 60 cases out of 2400 tests. The YMCA closed 2 weeks ago and many places are voluntary carry-out only and others doing business by phone only. Grocery store shelves are back to normal, even TP on the shelves.
PSA Jan 13 - 3.08 March 5 - 6.16. Several new mets; right femoral neck,a left supraclavicular lymph node, several periaortic retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and persistent activity at previously radiated right humeral lesion.
I am concerned about the CV, social distancing is going on but not everywhere.
Only a little mild anxiety about the chemo treatments, after 4 years with cancer I am accustomed to its constant presence but looking forward to using a larger hammer to beat it back into undetectable again.
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