In 2020 I developed TNBC (Triple Negative Breast Cancer). At the same time, the world was dealing with the Covid Pandemic. Everyone was afraid of this new disease. I was afraid of Covid, but I was terrified of the cancer. Talk about being scared, breast cancer is bad enough, but at I had to face all those treatments alone, I was not allowed to have anyone with me due to the restrictions. There were no Covid immunizations at the time I was diagnosed, but there was a great deal of ‘news’ about the virus, some of it false.
Getting Started
In late October 2020, I got the news- I had Triple Negative Breast Cancer, the one that is considered to be the worst, the most aggressive, the hardest to beat. Because it is so aggressive, I had to have the most aggressive treatment. But before I could even go to the hospital to have the tests to see I was strong enough for chemotherapy, I had to be tested for covid. This was the first of many covid tests.
Whenever I went to the hospital, there were strict regulations. I had to go in a special entrance to the hospital, and like I said, I was not able to bring anyone with me. ( That was the really scary part)
Chemotherapy
I was lucky in that I lived near Atlanta, where I had access to a major hospital and infusion center. But again, there were rules about how to enter the waiting room. Rules about not coming more than 15 minutes before my appointment time. There were lots and lots of questions each time I went. Questions about where I’d been what symptoms I had. It was very hard to go to chemotherapy alone and sit there alone, all those hours. Only once was I able to bring someone, my daughter with me. That was for the first Taxol Chemo. Apparently Taxol is scary also. They let you bring a family member in case you have an allergic reaction.
Previous to Covid, those going to chemotherapy could have someone accompany them through the long hours while you waited for the treatment to be completed. My shortest chemo treatment was 3.5 hours and the longest was 7 hours. (That was the first Taxol, it is so harsh, they run it slowly.)
All of the patients sat in recliners 15 feet away from all other patients and of course, everyone was masked. Before Covid, people having chemo at the same facility, often became friends, spending so many hours together. Not any more. We were not encouraged to interact, because we were all immuno-suppressed. To much risk of spreading something. While before Covid, the infusion centers had supplied drinks and snacks to the patients. We now had to bring with us everything we would need during the long hours we were in the Chemo chair. I had a rolling suitcase I packed everything in that I needed).
The Risk Of Covid
The nurses and staff from one department could not go into other departments of the hospital because they could not risk contamination. There might be someone who had been exposed to Covid in that other area. I developed a very rapid heart beat and needed to go to the ER. My husband had to come from home and go through all the questions at the entrance to the hospital. Then collect me from the infusion center and take me to the ER in the same hospital, where a cardiologist evaluated my heart.
The Impaired Immunity Issue In Breast Cancer Treatment
At home, my husband and I isolated together, we never saw anyone, no one could come to the house. I ordered food and needed items online. If it was something we could pick up, my husband would get ‘curbside assistance’. He parked in a designated spot and workers put the items in our trunk. I must say everyone was wonderful to us.
My oncologist had warned that I was at risk of not only contracting Covid, but other viruses and illnesses that could make me very ill. Of course, we didn’t go out to restaurants, my husband didn’t even go get fast food, afraid he would bring home a ‘bug’ that would make me sick. This went on for the months I was immuno-suppressed.
Help From Family and Friends
Without me knowing, my youngest daughter, Elizabeth started an Amazon gift list for me, including a tablet to read books on, books, warm socks, chemo caps, chemo shirts, warm lap blankets, and creams without perfumes that don’t burn sensitive skin. Everything a patient undergoing Breast Cancer treatment might need. She then ‘shared’ the list with all my friends from church and family across the country. Pretty soon I was getting 1or 2 packages from Amazon a day.
The warmth and kindness behind these gifts helped to make up for the fact that I couldn’t see anyone face to face. My daughters and friends left meals on my porch for us to heat up. (My husband has a lot of skills, but cooking is not one of them.) They also left plants and flowers, and books (because I am a plant lover and reader.) (I seem to go into ‘withdrawal’ if a don’t read 2 books a week.)
Covid Risks During The Holiday Season
When the holidays rolled around, my wonderful family all got tested for Covid so that I could come to the dinner at my daughter’s home, without worrying that I would catch something. Everyone was getting tested at this time (this is before home tests were available) so we waited for the test results. I got to go to the dinner, though we didn’t have it till the Saturday after Thanksgiving, waiting for the test results. For Christmas Eve and Christmas day family festivities, everyone coming to the dinner all got tested again, so I could go too. Even though I had Cancer, I felt so blessed.
Surgery
In January of 2021, my chemotherapy complete, I had the lumpectomy. Of course, I had to be tested for Covid first. I was bald at this point and was so worried that they would make me take my Chemo Cap off in front of everyone. (Nurses, doctors, staff, housekeeping, etc.) But the nurse was so nice, she put the surgical cap on top of my Chemo Cap.
Breast Cancer Radiation
You have to leave your modesty at home when you go for radiation. I had to do my therapy laying on my stomach with my bare breast exposed the ‘right way’. And, of course, I had to take my top off in order to get into the correct position. Just me and several radiation techs in the room. They make a mold around you the first day you’re there and then every time you come, they ‘assist’ you into the mold. I had to do this 23 times. (Every week day, not on the week ends, for 23 days). By now, there were Covid shots available for everyone so the testing was relaxed, but I still could not have a family member with me during these sessions. I did them, but if felt embarrassing at times.
The Side Effects
The side effects from all these treatments were too numerous to mention here. In addition, there were different side effects for each of the different treatments; chemo, surgery, and radiation. Because I would have liked to have a guide to all the side effects and what to do about them, I have written a small book listing the most common side effects and what a patient might do to help resolve them. It’s called Getting Through Breast Cancer Treatment. Discover it here.
My Worse Side Effect
The worst side effect I personally had was Fatigue. This is not the fatigue that you have after a long day, this fatigue comes from an illness or medicine. I would come home after a chemo treatment and I just wouldn’t be able to sit up any longer. I didn’t always go to sleep, but I had to lie down, some times for hours.
Other than my husband who was always supportive, I did have one friend who was always there. Obi, (so named because we got him on May the Fourth), is a Jack Russell/traveling salesman mix. He is one of the many in a long line of rescued dogs we have had. If you know about Jack Russell Terriers, you know they can be a little hyper. When I was overcome with fatigue and had to lie down, Obi would lie quietly in the curve of my knees, or along my back, not moving for hours, until I felt like I could get up.
The Funny Side
Believe it or not, there were some incidents during this time when I just had to laugh. My sister-in-law’s reaction in seeing my bald head for the first time (when we could finally see family). Her expression was priceless. And when I was finally finished with radiation and the Radiology Physician’s Assistant was going through the discharge questions with me: he advised me (at 70 years of age) to avoid all contact sports. He gave me examples of activities to avoid such as ‘football, wrestling, soccer, etc., or extreme sports such as rock climbing.’ I believe I laughed out loud at him.
Breast Cancer is scary enough, but going through treatments alone, not being able to see any friends or family during those long months, only made the fear worse. I hope if you know anyone who is undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer, that you will be supportive and generous with your time and with small acts of kindness, as my family and friends were for me. It makes all the difference.
Response Magic