Northern Lights: A Different Spring
It’s been a long winter here in the foothills of the mountains. However, since my last column in April, spring has sprung. We can finally enjoy gardening, walking outdoors without winter clothes on, and generally see the season unfold.
This year has been different though. The merriness of seeing the flowers and greenery of spring is subdued by the fact of being many weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a time of uncertainty, worry, and even tragedy for some. It is reassuring to see that the seasons are still progressing as usual, but it is a lonely time in terms of meeting people and not being able to go places.
My husband and I have each other at home, which is really a blessing, but we miss seeing the rest of the family and friends. We tidy up our house and garden mostly just for ourselves, it seems. We are spending lots of time together, and to relax, we are watching movies, seeing concerts online, and even watching eerie science fiction movies such as "Contagion" and "12 Monkeys," which are about pandemics.
We are both being very careful and observing social-distancing guidelines to stay at least six feet (1.8 meters) away from other people. I am getting pretty good at dodging people when out walking, crossing the street, or even parading down the center of the street, in a mannerism of avoidance. To say that this seems counterintuitive to normal social behavior is pretty obvious!
The only thing making this behavior seem normal is the fact that right now everyone is doing it. When I see friends from a safe distance, our conversations can be in very loud voices, which is making me quite hoarse. Strangers passing may wave or smile, but not stop to talk. When I back away from someone who is talking to me, it seems awkward, but I can’t afford to let social graces get in the way of safety.
My husband now shops for groceries, which we used to do together, wearing a mask and taking advantage of the "seniors hour" early in the morning when the stores open.
Because I am over age 60 and also immune-compromised from receiving myeloma treatments, I know that I am at a higher risk of catching COVID-19. I really want to stay healthy and away from that virus, for a number of reasons. One reason is that I would have to self-isolate for two weeks, even if I did not get very sick. Another reason is that I don’t want to be in hospital fighting a dreaded invisible enemy that as of yet has no cure and no vaccine against it.
As a result, I am avoiding any activities that may cause symptoms that may mimic those of COVID-19 and that could therefore make me need testing again. These include to not get hoarse from shouting or singing, not get a sore throat from seasonal allergies at this time of year (pollen can cause allergies), and not to catch a cold or a mild case of the flu. I am turning into a hypochondriac! I never used to worry much about these problems.
Wearing masks (homemade or surgical) is not mandatory in Canada, so when I wear them has depended upon the situation. Sometimes I wear a mask outdoors. On appointments at the cancer center, however, everyone is given a surgical mask to wear on entering the center. We look as if we are on a movie set when walking around there, but it is becoming more normal to me.
Luckily, my current treatment schedule for my multiple myeloma only requires me to visit the hospital once a month and to get blood testing once or twice a month, and they have strict rules in place to limit the spread of the virus so that I feel safe there.
Social media has filled in some of my spare time as we have had to pivot around in our lifestyle to cope with the isolation of being at home now. We spend more time video calling and sending text messages to stay in touch with family and friends. This is the next best thing for seeing people when we cannot meet in person. In addition, I have learned to videoconference for meetings of the various groups I’m involved with, such as my local myeloma support group and needlework guild.
Overall, this spring feels very different from previous ones. At the same time, I have much hope that with the sheer amount of scientific research focused on COVID-19 that there will be treatments found and a vaccine developed. It may take time, but if we can stay calm and safe, we may outlast this epidemic and be able to get back to a new normal. As a cancer patient, I have had to do this in the past, so I’m optimistic that I can do it again.
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The quotation for this month is a haiku by the Japanese poet Ōme Shūshiki (1669 – 1725): "Dead my old fine hopes, And dry my dreaming but still ... Iris, blue each spring."
Nancy Shamanna is a multiple myeloma patient and a columnist at The Myeloma Beacon. You can view a list of her columns here.
If you are interested in writing a regular column to be published by The Myeloma Beacon, please contact the Beacon team at .
Nice column Nancy. I think you pretty much summed up what all of us are thinking and doing during this pandemic. While my husband’s monthly treatment infusion sessions have continued, his six-month checkup at our major cancer center was postponed until the fall. His oncologist felt that the risk of travel outweighed the the six-month delay. With summer here, most states are opening to a new normal. I feel a sense of deja vu. After my husband’s stem cell transplant five years ago, we were introduced to our own new normal. These new normals are similar: wearing face masks in public and maintaining social distancing. Several of our friends have remarked that they now have entered “our” new normal.
Thanks, Patty! The sense of 'deja vu' is real for me too. I had to be really careful after my stem cell transplant, 10 years ago, which occurred during the H1N1 pandemic. That was also scary, but I think that this pandemic is worse. I will just mostly do home-based activities for a while yet, even though it's nice that the weather is better. I visit with my family outdoors now, keeping a distance as much as possible. If I get as much as a sniffle, I couldn't get my Darzalex treatments, which is really different than how things were before this pandemic. My doctor appointments are by phone. Also my elderly father, aged 93, is now in long-term care and is subject to a lot of restrictions. They don't allow visitors in the care facility.
Thank you for your column, Nancy. You have covered so much of what my husband and I are experiencing with this pandemic. He, too, shops for our groceries. He wipes everything down with sanitizing wipes before I am allowed to touch them. This virus scares me silly! I walk each day, and like you, I have no problem giving anyone I meet lots of space! Videoconferencing with my support group for two hours last week was really helpful. It was refreshing to hear their optimism. Most have been through stem cell transplants, so this isolation isn’t new to them. We are all in this together. Like Patty pointed out, now our friends and families have entered our new normal.
A few years ago, I spent some time in Japan. It was interesting to see so many people in the big cities who still chose to wear masks, years after the SARS scare. I think of that whenever I go out and see others wearing masks. Maybe this will be a common sight for years to come for all of us. I wonder what it’s going to take for me to feel safe around others again. I sure miss hugging people! My mantra is “This, too, shall pass.” Now, would be a good time, don’t you think?
Dear Nancy, Many thanks for your column. I can identify with many of the lifestyle things which you describe. Even although we’re grateful for what we have, we are still missing so much. Spring is an optimistic time of year and, as always, you look for and find the best that is on offer. With very best wishes to you.
Dear Patty and Marjorie, thanks for your comments!
Patty, I have seen people wearing masks in Hawaii quite a few years ago. It seemed to be the norm for some shoppers there, at duty free shops. Stay safe! It is better to be overly cautious than not, for those of us who are at risk due to low immunities.
Marjorie, I think of you when growing seeds; the nasturtiums, sunflowers, and sweet peas all grew indoors and now I will plant them outside. It's a bit frustrating not to be able to get out and about just yet but I hope that here our rates of COVID-19 infection stay low. I was already a bit isolated all during my Darzalex treatments, starting last fall, actually. I had to leave choir practises and other large group meetings then. Best wishes, and hope you are enjoying spring too.
Thank you, Nancy, for another of your insightful articles. I just started on my monthly cycle for Darzalex and have similar situations to face regarding treatment and blood tests. They don't allow visitors to the cancer clinic, so Joann, my wife, sits in the car while I am in for the treatment. Stay safe and keep writing.
Thank you Colin! It is quite awkward for the caregiver (Joann in your case) not to be able to come in with the patient to the cancer clinic. This makes it less crowded inside, but the caregiver is really stuck if they have to wait for hours. We live close enough that my husband can actually drive home and back in the time it takes me to get a 90-minute infusion, which in reality is more like a 2 1/2 hour visit it seems. It will be nice when the new subcutaneous Darzalex becomes available here, since it should take less time. I remember getting Velcade (bortezomib) by infusion, but I believe it is more commonly given subcutaneously now. And hopefully the restrictions on allowing someone in with you during your treatment time won't last too much longer. Take care of yourselves!
Stay safe, Nancy! I am trying to do the same here in South Carolina. It's hard when some don't take it as seriously as you or I might, but we do what we can. I am really looking forward to a vaccine, but I have also enjoyed some quieter and slower-paced life these days!
You too Susan, stay safe! My family takes all of this quite seriously, and I am in a happy environment with them. I am looking forward to a better 'new normal,' though. My treatments are working really well to control my myeloma, so I try to focus on that and just work around the issues of the pandemic we are experiencing.
I am in several online stitching groups, where the mantra right now is 'stay home and stitch.' I feel very lucky to have the time to do this and have been working away on projects that I have in my stash of UFO's (unfinished objects). So I am making progress on my stitching hobby, and it keeps my mind from worrying too much!
Nancy, I'm so glad that you and Dilip are doing well! These are such strange times. I'm just so thankful that we have the ability to stay home and avoid crowds. Sounds like you are in a similar boat! I hope that you are able to enjoy these weeks together and stay healthy!
Thanks, Tabitha! It seems an odd situation, but life can take strange turns I guess! Because I am really trying to avoid getting any type of upper respiratory infection, I am being really cautious about going out much. If I catch a cold or other upper respiratory infections, I wouldn't be able to get my infusions. Also, if I were to test positive for COVID-19, I would have to self isolate even more, and it would affect my family too. I have outdoor visits with my family, and talk to my friends from a distance. At least it is springtime and the weather is nice most of the time. So I just hope that there is a light at the end of this tunnel!
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