Delay doc appts to avoid med facilities during COVID pandemic?

I used to know someone who had a shower in his garage so that he could strip and wash off any contaminants before entering the house. The garage was not attached and he had a few sets of clean clothes waiting for him in the garage as well. He also wore protective gear at work.

P.S. I also knew someone who used to work a dirty job and had an outdoor entrance to the basement. A shower and WC were down there for his use before entering the house proper.

I emailed my oncologist last night as I was concerned about going into the clinic to get my zoladex shot this week. He said to stop it for now (and the AI of course since I can't take that without the ovarian supression) and resume in 8 weeks. Although who knows what it will be like in 8 weeks. But I actually felt relieved that he said not to go. I also asked him about lower estrogen increasing risk if you get COVID-19 and he said no one really knows. Some people think estrogen is protective in preventing an extreme reaction to it. There was a study with SARS with mice back in 2017 that seemed to indicate that also.

Jessie123 - yes, I know. I was surprised that he just said no one really knows. Other MO's people have asked on here say "there is no evidence.

Others who get zoladex/lupron shots still went in last week. I think they are mostly in the US (I'm in Canada). Some said it was a bit different with staff using masks, etc. But others said it just seemed the same. So it depends on your location.

In Montreal, we have the most cases in Canada and it was all really shot up quickly as a week ago, we were the largest city with the least. There is also community spread.

Then I read this: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/nurses-at-the-montreal-general-hospital-say-they-were-told-to-withhold-information-after-contact-with-covid-19-patient-1.4864918

This was the final straw that made me not want to go and why I emailed my MO about it. I go to a medical clinic and not a hospital, but still.....

no way am I delaying. I only got my right breast Mammo after six months even though I literally begged and bribed them to do both breasts. I get a mammo for both sides in May and they said it'll be happening. If it wasn't I would've been calling around clinics other doctors whatever - for me today, a mammo of both breasts a year after diagnosis is more important than much else. Of course my governor will likely close down cancer centers too like he's shut all the other non-corona sites (many medical staff laid off here, medical buildings shuttered).

hi Sal.. when I read your post..I just knew that U had to be from NY..I am also and NONE of my drs. are seeing any patients at my cancer center unless its and emergency... and here we are mid April.. they are doing phone calls to check up and maybe appts in JUNE??? this is our" new normal" ..I pray it will change.. take care & be safe to all of u gals.. ~hope

I am currently scheduled for a first appointment in late May - I had to wait for two months. When diagnosed in late March, it was very stressful for me to have to wait. I had hoped to get treatment while between jobs and on COBRA. Now, I'm starting to think I may be better off with appointments in June or July because I have to self quarantine for two weeks starting in mid May and if things keep progressing with a job I'm interviewing for, I will probably need to start my new job in May. Needless to stay, I have to count on my State enforcing shelter in home through May because I can't self quarantine if I have to go into an office to work. I may need to postpone treatment until my treatment center lifts the self quarantine requirement for new patients - this may be a better option overall, I'll be able to make a decision in a few weeks.

jane -- see if you can find an N95 mask. I've heard that they are available now. That's what I will use if I ever get up the nerve to have a mammogram. My surgery was in Feb 2019 and I'm sure my mammogram is due, but my MRI was supposed to be first and I haven't even had that yet. I have been waiting for them to get a hold on this virus and maybe have some medications available before I chance going out. I probably should have done the MRI during the third week of the lockdown since now my state is completely open and the cases are growing quickly. This is a nightmare!!!!

Alice -- Are you going ahead with all your appointments in June? My MRI machine is in a very small room and I'm worried about Aerial transmission from the previous persons appointment so I guess I'll try for the first appointment of the day or maybe the first one after the staff lunch break. I did get the courage up to have my regular doctor blood work done last week --- the guy drawing the blood was really, really close to me and I had forgotten to take my N95 mask. How can I have forgotten the most important thing.

I'd like to share another perspective. My nonessential doctors' visits were cancelled, as was a nonessential GI test. My PCP appointment was done via Zoom and was better than an in person appointment - more time, no driving on a jammed highway, etc.

However, I decided to go to my MO appointment that includes a blood test and a Zometa infusion for a few reasons. First, I'd heard via friends who'd gone to appointments and from the hospital that it was deserted, and the cancer center is in a separate building from the regular hospital. My concern is that once restrictions are lifted, more people will be in the hospital catching up on cancelled appointments. I have three cancelled appointments that require me to enter the hospital and I know I'll be very concerned about having to wait in a room with a number of other people, walking down hospital hallways where you can't social distance because they aren't wide enough, etc. Finally, I'm at fairly high risk for recurrence (according to Oncotype and some clinical features). The blood test results and talking with the MO via video ease my mind. All this being said, I will admit I don't think we're close to being out of the woods with COVID and even with restrictions lifted, I'm not going out to grocery stores, etc.

So I went to the appointment and there was just one other patient in the waiting room and no one in the treatment rooms. Just two other people were in the infusion room, all distanced from one another. The blood test results were good, I'm all infused and don't have to go back for six months. That was over two weeks ago. My July RO and BS appointments will most likely be via Zoom and that seems fine to me.

Thank you for making me smile. I'm nervous. Rescheduled my mammogram from May to July. After seeing pictures of all those rubbing shoulders on Memorial Day, I wondered about my decision.

Veeder14 -- have you had the MRI yet? I am like you -- that hole we have to put our face in. I was so traumatized when I had my first MRI I can't remember what's in the hole. Is it the under part of the MRI? I don't want to breath in that hole if someone else just had a breast MRI before me. Unfortunately, I don't want to do any of the breast cancer after care tests or visits. It brings back bad memories and during Covid everything is worse.

Diane -- I know what you mean -- I also want to wait a little longer until they find a better treatment, but we can't wait too long because there is supposed to be a second wave. Alabama's numbers are also starting to go up a little.

JaneQPoppy I am so sorry you are having to go through this ordeal. Hopefully will be ok but better to be safe and find out early and treat early.