Forum Topic

Update from Charing Cross Hospital Corona virus

I am half way through chemo for cancer. This week chemo has been cancelled. I have now been fast tracked for surgery early next week.  Any post op chemo or radiotherapy will not happen till current situation is over. Day case hopefully.  If op is not cancelled. They are not scheduling any surgery after next week. Had a pre op yesterday. Was not looking forward to visiting hospital but it was a Ghost town. Only saw two people the entire time I was there. They are bracing themselves for an avalanche they know they can’t cope with. You could see the fear in the eyes of my consultant and nurse. It was palpable. This is very real it is coming our way fast so don’t wait to be told what to do. You know what you have to do to keep yourself and others safe and help in a small way to lessen the burden on our NHS. Good luck everyone.

Krysia Gdaniec ● 2421d16 Comments

KrysiaVery best wishes and good luck to youKind regards Loraine

Loraine Pemberton ● 2421d

This is a terrible time for anyone undergoing treatment and can only hope you won't have to wait very long Krysia.

Janice Evans ● 2421d

Sorry to hear your news, Krysia. I had chemotherapy at Charing Cross in 2018 and the unit there is excellent. I'm sure that the staff are gutted at having to let you down.I hope that surgery goes well.

Susan Kelly ● 2421d

You’re absolutely right. We need to keep safe and keep others safe. Good luck with your treatment when it starts. Really sorry to hear that you are going through this.

Stewart Jones ● 2421d

All the very best, Krysia.

Paul Cronshaw ● 2421d

Thank you for your very wise and informative posting, Krysia, and I wish you all the best with your own treatment.  Yes we must all do our very best to minimise our impact on the NHS until this crisis is over.  We all know what we must and mustn’t do.

Alastair Banton ● 2421d

"We all know what we must and mustn’t do" Yes, we know what to do but far too many people don't do it. Kew Gardens yesterday: 2 people obviously together, giving strangers a wide berth but with each other they were heads together looking at a mobile phone. Noon today, about 50 teenaged school children jostling along the pavement, all WELL within 2 metres. I imagine we are not allowed to say anything to help people follow the advice we are given, are we? There are many more examples I could give of the 2 metre advice not being adhered to. If you're not facing each other then it's not so bad, but why risk it.

James Petri ● 2421d

Agree James, many are not listening to the advice.

Janice Evans ● 2421d

Many listen but willfully choose to ignore it - they feel well, don't take on board the importance of keeping one's distance or even isolating one's self!  The aged, past their use by date may get it but not me - all panic, panic, what an over reaction, seems to be their mindset.

Jennifer Selig ● 2421d

Good luck KrysiaIf you need any help with shopping etc at this difficult time then I would be more than happy to help

C Philips ● 2421d

Sorry, Krysia I meant to send my very best wishes - I too have been there so I do wish you well it's not easy so hope you have lots of love and help during this very difficult time.  Best wishes.

Jennifer Selig ● 2420d

Anyone who has had cancer treatment will have a permanently impaired immune system. They will need to take especial care to keep a distance for longer.

Una-Jane Winfield ● 2419d

I disagree Una-Jane: the impairment is not permanent. Most studies have shown complete immune system recovery after nine months. Also many of us who have had chemotherapy in recent years have been given special drugs to maintain our immune systems at the same time.

Susan Kelly ● 2419d

Thank you for this Krysia.  I got a call from the respiratory medicine department cancelling my appointment.  They said the hospital was a bit like the Marie Celeste because of course 75% of their work is Outpatients appointments.  They are gearing up for the fight using the doctors from all departments.  A friend who is a nurse told me the hospital they work in got new supplies of gowns, gloves and masks for surgery.  They ordered them just before this hit and they re stocked their cupboards.  When they went into surgery to set up all the gloves, about 12 boxes of 100 were gone.  They had to cancel surgeries that day as they could not get enough gloves for safety.  What kind of person does that?  The selfishness we have seen is terrifying but the selflessness of others is also a calming effect on those of us who are most at risk.  To know someone will check on you or be there to get some milk when they go shopping is an antidote to panic buying.  I hope your treatment goes well Krysia and your recovery is not to painful. And as others have said let us know if there is anything we can do including a chat when you need one.

Caroline Carney ● 2419d

OK. I am delighted at this improvement in medical knowledge and practice. But those nine months will seem like a long time in the present circumstances.

Una-Jane Winfield ● 2419d

Nine months is the maximum. Many chemo patients have normal immune function in a few weeks.

Susan Kelly ● 2419d