Well, we have got answers to every question that was asked. We really could not have asked for a more robust and thorough response.
These replies have been built up by a whole team of nurses and doctors and have been checked and double checked. Your questions have been taken seriously and answered with sensitivity and honesty.
Please take a look at the replies, you will see what I mean.
We (the Patient Advisory Board) are aware that this is not the end though. We know that more questions will arise as we all work through what is happening. We are working out a way for you to ask more questions and for us to find answers quickly and effectively.
Meanwhile – I’ve been chatting to people living with cancer and enjoying hearing about how they are getting through all this.
Of course, most hospital appointments are now done remotely and GPs are encouraging phone and virtual appointments – and we are all getting used to ‘meeting up’ on our computers. I meet with my exercise class twice a week and we chat and laugh. It has been a challenge for some of us to work the ‘techy’ bits but one member of the group is a whiz with this and patiently talks us through it. We talk about shopping slots and how one member of the group can help another to get the groceries that they need (safely!). We talk about the difficulties of ‘shielding’ (see some of the FAQs) and the inventive ways that they are managing to exercise. I send a video work-out a couple of times a week and they all tell me that they are doing it (!!) and we have a quiz – apparently there are loads of these available – its highly competitive and fun.
The Patient Advisory Board are going to meet (virtually) every month whilst there is so much going on so we will be able to continue to discuss what is particularly important to people with cancer right now. It’s a great opportunity to let members know what plans are being put into place to ensure that screening, detection, planning and treatments can continue.
I will keep you all updated.
These are troubling times; but I don’t need to tell you that. I’ve been listening to many of you and you are asking some really interesting questions.
I listen to lots of people who have cancer many times in a week. I’m a nurse and a personal trainer running exercise classes for people who are somewhere on their cancer journey. These circuit classes are great (even if I say so myself!) They are a place where everyone can speak freely and I reckon that is really valuable. So when I said; does anyone have any questions they would like to ask about cancer and COVID 19, I was deluged. I was deluged in a great way and the same thing happened when I asked the Patient Advisory Board (PAB). The PAB does what it says on the tin and advises the Cancer Alliance board about what matters to patients and what their opinion is on issues that are raised.
So we have put these questions together and the clinical team are coming back with answers which will be found on this website.
We are guessing that there are more questions that will arise so we are keen to hear those too – in my next blog I’ll explain how to send your questions in. I’ll also share ideas and hints from the groups on what is working for them and what is helping them through these challenging times.
Patient FAQs to follow shortly.