How has the Pandemic affected you as a cancer patient/survivor

I waited until today to express my displeasure at the tone of the message from the Mods. I have a hard time scrolling by the alternative treatment threads that are on this site because there's too much anti-science and pro-woo crap. I guess it's better that the woo bunch has their own padded room than have them posting their fairy dust cures all over the place. But I seldom read them, and only posted once or twice in the past when something recommended was blatantly dangerous. THIS thread, I thought, was set up since we were no longer allowed to let off steam in the Steam Room about Covid issues. Why on earth is a site dedicated to health issues asking people to respect people who are frankly anti-health? That makes no sense. Are we expected to type "Of course this does not apply to anyone with a legitimate medical reason for not getting vaccinated, as long as they stay masked and practice social distancing and common sense, for their sake and everyone else" every freaking time we post? I think all the regulars here have said it several times. Why don't the mods just set up another woo thread for the non-medical anti-vaxxers instead of asking everyone to accommodate their opinions? What's next, censoring the various religion and atheism threads, or the political ones, all which are set up for single points of view, and with very few exceptions (usually someone new), those boundaries are respected because we are all adults.

Mods - What Alice said.

Some of the objections may be to the "anti-vaxx" label, the movement is a like a religion and reasonable people who have concerns over vaccine safety may get annoyed being lumped with them. I can see that, and some of us who did get the shots weren't all that enthusiastic about it either, we had our concerns too. I can't say I'm pro-vaccine or pro-chemo for that matter, but I'm anti-disease and anti-death when it can be prevented with a relatively low-risk option.

Also, I don't want to wear mask and distance myself from others forever. I want to eventually get back to life as it was in February 2020 without masks, restrictions and PCR tests and the only way we can get to that is having very high vaccination rates, this virus doesn't seem to want to go away on its own.

It's not that I don't value personal liberty, I do. But personal liberty is not the be all, end all of my existence. I am not sheepishly following government mandates over some moralistic stance. I just want to be safe, my family and community to be safe and get back to life as we knew it. Without vaccines, it will never happen. We just get the worst of both worlds: mandates and the bloody virus.

Alice, I apologize if I misunderstood the last part of your post but now I’m wondering.

Is this thread supposed to reflect a single pro vaccine point of view, rather than dealing with the pandemic in general? If it is and my experiences and opinions ruffle feathers, feel free to let me know and I’ll quietly go away.

I do agree that the religious, political and holistic type threads should not be interfered with but they don’t seem to get as heated either.

The thread is about how the pandemic is affecting us as cancer patients. Top of the list is the people who prevent us from ending it. It is hideous that they are ever excused. Pretending to be rational isn't working. Facts are facts no matter what dance is performed around it.

Illimae, I thought I was pretty clear in this and other posts - people with legitimate health reasons for not getting the vaccine are the ones who need the protection of everyone else the most. But after all this time, I don't have patience with anyone who is anti-vaccine or anti-mask for any other reason, because the only "reasons" those people ever give are that they are anti-science and anti-fact, and in medical issues, science and facts are the only things that should count. They may have opinions, but they don't have facts - and what I object to on this site is the expectation that we give those opinions the same respect as we give facts.

Got it 🙂

Sadiesservant - I can't imagine going that long without seeing your oncologist. Is that common in BC? I've been seeing mine every 4-8 weeks in QC. Once was by phone because he had to quarantine. Getting vaccinated is still a priority for me. Portugal is an example of the return to normalcy with a high vax rate. Isn't that what we all want?

My NP at the Vancouver cancer agency has phone appointments or virtual first to determine whether in person is required. Since I had gone over on timing for annual cancer check she asked me to come in person. I have friends who have regular in person visits with oncologists.

I feel for the anxiety faced bypeople needing in person visits and am feeling very lucky to not be in active treatment. What a nightmare.

Serenity I do feel very lucky to not have to navigate cancer world like you and many others do. I would be a wreck. I am able to avoid it so my frustration is not having medical issues (most likely not life threatening) followed up on and not being able to "know" my grand daughter.

It is so much harder for people who don't have the option. Like anyone in treatment or having to go to work on transit or working with the public not knowing if they are vaccinated.

As a mostly-retired RN, I volunteered from January to May giving literally thousands of COVID vaccinations. Finally, I could do something to help. The work filled my cup. Early on, it was all our elderly community who lined up for their shots and some of them cried with relief. "You've given me my family and my freedom back." We gave shots until the vaccine ran out for the day, leaving many disappointed that they didn't get one. "Come back tomorrow," we told them, and tried to squeeze them into the next day's huge roster.

Then volunteers weren't as needed, since our supplies of vaccines grew and the number of people who wanted one did not. It made me sad to remember the overwhelming gratefulness that so many people expressed when they received their vaccination.

Now that Pfizer is approved for kids, they need volunteers again. Tomorrow I'll put on my volunteer vest and get mentally ready for giving shots to kids. I really hate causing children pain...but when I think it might protect their lives, or the lives of those around them, or keep them in school because they don't have to isolate, it helps.

And God bless the parents who bring their kids for vaccinations.

@sbelizabth thank you for volunteering! Don't worry about hurting the kids. 1) the shot itself doesn't really hurt. 2) at least around here, the kids are excited and feel like they are being included in something really important. Vaccine appts are a hot topic of conversation in 6th grade! 3) reactions seem to be less than in adults. 11 is fine this morning, no arm pain or fever.

Its so good to see all the research!

Sadieservant, I don't understand why you haven't seen your MO in so long either. I'm on Vancouver Island, but my MO is in Vancouver, I see her every 4 weeks but even before that when I was getting treatment on VI, I saw the GPO in Nanaimo every 4 weeks.

Sadiesservant, i just looked at your DX line, you've had liver mets since January & still haven't been seen in person?? I don't blame you for being irritated, I would be more than irritated, pissed off even. I get that if you're stable on cape, maybe they only would want to see you every 3 months, but that is getting crazy. I would be calling your MO's secretary & putting in a word that you need a face to face, not want, "need." You need to be examined. I think BCCA Victoria is dropping the ball. I know that some of the MO's are on sabbatical etc, but still.

well, it looks like our local covid cases are heading towards the wrong direction again. We were hovering around 50 cases/day since mid oct and just broke 100 level today. Looks like this might be the Halloween party wave?

Latte, I feel sorry for the unvaccinated people who were manipulated by those spreading misinformation. I blame those who are in power or/and with knowledge that either intentionally or unknowingly spread misinformation and prolong the pandemic. You know, like mark zuckerberg who has chosen profit over public health, the media influencer MDs who have chosen fame over public health and the conservative networks with most vaccinated hosts but have chosen ideology over public health.