Pandemic – Page 2

11.30.2020 by Happy On Wheels //

Maintaining A Connection

Author: Sheri Denkensohn-Trott

Many individuals that are working from home are experiencing zoom fatigue. They are on their devices and/or computers all day with nonstop meetings. It is understandable that these individuals want a break from looking at the screen and are resorting to good distractions like reading a book, taking a walk, or cooking. Zoom "Leave Meeting" button

But many people are incredibly isolated during this time. Especially those like Tony and me that have chronic conditions that are high risk. We only go out when we must. Therefore, if we want to connect with our families, friends, or others through business, zoom is a lifeline. Throughout the pandemic we have had a weekly family call with different topics. This has been a source of great joy as we hear family stories and laugh. A true silver lining because this never would’ve happened if there was not a pandemic. We have celebrated birthdays over zoom with individuals in attendance that we never met and therefore had the opportunity to see and talk to in a small setting. We have been able to exercise online and not be in the gym where we worry about getting sick.

With respect to our business, we realized when we did a zoom presentation that so many individuals are lonely and isolated. Because of their health conditions and high-risk status, they are also in the same A doctor wearing protective gear and holding a cellphone boat as we are. They are craving connection; someone to talk to and understand how scared they are and what they are experiencing, especially those that live alone. For instance, one person stated how afraid she is of getting sick and having to go to the hospital. Even if she doesn’t have COVID, she cannot have anyone with her. What if the doctor doesn’t understand her condition? What if she is so sick that she cannot communicate her needs? This brought up an important issue. We should all be thinking about this. As they say, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. We should all designate a specific person that can be called on for assistance over the phone if for some reason we wind up in the hospital. Also, it is wise to talk to your primary care physician about being a point of contact if you wind up in the hospital.

We are hopeful that this pandemic will be over sometime in 2021. In the meantime, we are not going to complain about zoom fatigue. We are happy that we can connect with our friends, family, and conduct business by helping others.

https://happyonwheels.com/4186-2/

09.26.2020 by Happy On Wheels //

It’s More Important Than Ever

Author: Sheri Denkensohn-Trott

For those that are already aware, and for those that may not be, I am celebrating my 10-year breast cancerversary! It is also the 10-year anniversary of the breast cancer support group that I have been attending since August 2010. It is run by the Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund. Getting my breast cancer diagnosis was like a bad movie. I had just returned home from an Breast Cancer Awareness Month ribbon with the word survivor on it. extended hospitalization, was incredibly weak, and barely functioning. I did not know if I would be able to return to work and I was adjusting to having a trach. Breast cancer was the last thing that I expected. But it did teach me an important lesson. Breast cancer, and cancer in general, doesn’t discriminate. I have my theories on how I got the cancer, likely from the abundance of radiation through x-rays and CT scans that I needed when I was hospitalized, but it is not worth spending energy to figure out why I got cancer. I chose to focus on the “what can I do.”

By happenstance, my sister-in-law was at her mammogram appointment and saw a huge basket. She asked what it was for and one of the nurses said that it was put together by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and that the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk was kicking off in the next couple weeks (it was the end of July) and the walk occurred in October. My sister-in-law left with the basket and delivered it to me. I’ll never forget opening it on my terrace with my young niece, looking at every wonderful item in the basket. I was drawn in. I immediately decided to channel my anger at having breast cancer into raising money for the upcoming walk. I was interviewed by the Making Strides staff, started attending meetings about the walk, and began my fundraising in earnest.

American Cancer Society logo. That has led to 10 years of busy Septembers and Octobers, and this year I started in June. I never expected to raise as much money as I have over the years and to be recognized as a keynote speaker, closing speaker, and ACS Ambassador. I have made many great friends, become much more knowledgeable about breast cancer and other types of cancer, and more aware of cutting-edge research and the unmet needs of the cancer community. My eyes have been opened to the disparate impact of breast cancer on women of color and other disadvantaged groups. Additionally, through the voice of a guest speaker at a support group meeting, I got an inside look at how men face a stigma if they are diagnosed with breast cancer. While I can’t say that I am overjoyed that I got breast cancer, but it certainly has made my life different in a positive way; I’m more knowledgeable about breast cancer, more compassionate towards those facing a breast cancer diagnosis, and most importantly for me, I have become a forceful advocate for accessible mammography for those with disabilities.

My decision this year to raise $10,000 in honor of the dual anniversaries was difficult because of COVID. I thought to myself, “Will individuals be offended that I am asking for money at a time when people are struggling and out of work?” “Should I wait until next year because I will have a better chance of hitting my goal?” But in my gut, I knew that I needed to move forward. Cancer and COVID are inextricably connected. And all of us, including our loved ones, will be impacted now and in future generations.

Earlier this summer, The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network released a second national survey showing the devastating impact that COVID-19 is having on cancer patients and survivors.

87% of respondents said the pandemic had affected their healthcare in some manner, up from 51% in an earlier survey.
Of those in active treatment 79% reported delays to their healthcare (up from 27%), including 17% of patients who reported delays in their cancer therapy.
Nearly one in four patients surveyed say the pandemic has made it more difficult to contact their providers with questions about their healthcare needs.
One in five say they are worried their cancer could be growing or returning due to delays and interruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Nearly half (48%) of patients said the COVID-19 pandemic has had a moderate or major effect on their mental health.
In particular, 67% said they worry it will be harder for them to stay safe when social distancing and other restrictions are relaxed in their area.

On top of the impact patients are feeling, and the support ACS can provide for patients, ACS is facing a minimum $200M deficit due to all fundraising events being canceled, postponed, and now in many cases, going virtual. Their mission is now at risk. If trends don’t change, ACS will be forced to cut research funding by 50%. Even more, cancer screening rates for breast, colon, and cervical cancers fell as much as 94% since March. This will lead to a devastating increase in cancer cases that will go undiagnosed for prolonged periods of time resulting in later staged cancers which are the most difficult to treat.

I am so pleased that I decided to move forward. In fact, I have exceeded my goal of $10,000 already. So, I set a new goal, $12,000. I know it can be done. It is a matter of life or death. Patients, caregivers, survivors, and the future generations all depend on it.

https://happyonwheels.com/3618-2/

04.30.2020 by Happy On Wheels //

Changes

Author Tony Trott

We are in week 8 of self-quarantining because previous medical conditions place us in the ‘increased risk’ category for Covid-19. So we are trying to find a ‘new normal’ routine these days. Part of our pre-Coronavirus routine involved watching the local and national Graphic that says, "Stay home, save lives." news every evening and usually watching the local news again at 11 for possible breaking news, sports scores, or weather updates. During this pandemic though, watching that much news in one day can be quite dispiriting. We rarely picked up the telephone to talk to a loved one because of my lack of hearing but I’m trying to use a new translation tool by Google to make it easier on the phone and when people are talking on the computer.

The new normal is that in the morning during the week before work, we enjoy exchanging funny videos, tweets, and parody that we have each received from different sources. Our latte machine has become the biggest source of joy and we don’t know what we would do without it. We then start our day, figuring out the night before what the schedule is and our respective tasks. We try to limit the work day and instead of having the news on during dinner (which I know some people think is a bad thing regardless of what’s going on!), we actually talk to each other during the meal. Hopefully, we can keep that up when this is over. We do make watching Jeopardy a continued activity, and many times it is the point when we just breathe
and relax.

Of course, it is still important to watch some news, but we are getting more of our news from online sources (reputable ones) and we find that it’s a really good idea to limit one’s exposure to negative news. We all, at this point, could use some laughter and to find something uplifting. We mention, in the video in this Newsletter, some of the books we are currently reading or have recently finished. There are, of course, other forms of television to watch and plenty of movies to catch up on.

As far as television, we are both really enjoying watching Schitt’s Creek and I am finding time to binge Game of Thrones and re-watch Star Trek: Deep Space 9. It’s also enjoyable to watch a current show that you know is going to resolve problems in an hour or maybe a few weeks even if life doesn’t always work that way. We find enjoyment for that reason in watching Title shot from the TV show the Rookie. the Rookie on Sunday evening. OK, some plotlines may be kind of corny, but we need some of that these days.

Of course, there’s always Zooming with family and/or friends for a regular catch up, and meetings and happy hours. These virtual gatherings include many individuals that we would not “see” as frequently. And that’s a positive change! Also positive is that this is an opportunity for self-improvement and we are taking advantage of the myriad of lifelong learning practices through webinars/podcasts. This is something that we have always wanted to do, but never had time. And personally, getting together on a weekly basis with certain members of my family for a virtual Dungeons & Dragons game is a great stress reliever!

https://happyonwheels.com/2882-2/

Maintaining A Connection

It’s More Important Than Ever

Changes

Contact Us

Follow us on social media!