A Different Rodeo

By now you likely are aware of the new beast in the room that has affected many lives around the world. This beast does not follow a gender but more of a different kind of entity. It doesn’t discriminate who it infects; it is COVID-19. Who would have imagined such a virus could literally shut down the world and reestablish new guidelines in how everyone relates to one another?

Processing new challenges

This is a time of anxiousness for me, as I hear of the many horrendous stories from our courageous medical teams around the country, who have seen the face of this beast from the front lines. So how does this affect the blood cancer community? I, like so many, have questioned what was this new phenomenon that may affect me? The news initially reported that the coronavirus most affected those of a particular age and those with underlying conditions. Who wants to raise their hand on the latter? Instantly, I was concerned as I didn’t know if in remission, would I now face this virus first hand? I still don’t know the negative implications of this, along with many. So I stay home and process the news with uncertainty like most everyone else. There are more questions, rightfully so, for what this means for me and my situation. As if our lives weren’t already complicated with various forms of blood cancer, now the new challenge of coronavirus has entered the room.

COVID-19 and multiple myeloma: A new rodeo

The news now reports that COVID-19 does not just affect a particular age, nor is it a matter of underlying conditions after all; everyone is now deemed affected by this. This indeed is not the typical rodeo. This bull is bucking from all ends whether race, nationality, age, gender, economics, underlying health challenges, and the healthy. Whoa, this rodeo is not what I signed up for. Not in a million years would I think I would have lived through cancer, and now quarantined in my home like so many, because the unknown is hijacking all bulldoggers on this rodeo.

Well for me, I’m concerned. But, having gone through so much with multiple myeloma, this has not been as fearful. With COVID-19, I'm concerned about the uncertainty that is still out there... the unknown. Quite frankly, I don’t even know if I have the virus. I feel great, but then it’s that whole asymptomatic query, that was similar to my plight with myeloma. When there’s no signs or indicators upfront. It also doesn’t help that a kit is not available to everyone, unless you’re showing definite signs. This is too much to wrap my head around, so my family and I follow the rules of staying home, working from home, socializing with each other at home. I had so many projects in the works, one being held now as a tele-meeting, the other a celebration for some other news with family and friends that has been stalled. Frankly, who knows the next time I’ll see everyone.

Wrapping my head around everything

So I wrap my head around this chaos and thank the heavens no one I know directly has been affected, though, in all fairness, I, along with many others are affected in some form or another. I spend my time texting family and friends, whether using Zoom and making light of a time that should not be taken lightly, by just being still. I catch up on shows and movies, and as we know, time has a way of passing us by.

I guess it takes this situation to bring one in the face of uncertainty. Myeloma was my new normal, but by far, this virus has changed my perspective on each new day, and we will move on from this.

Be well, be safe… live life!

The time to fight is now, with integrity, grace, hope and a smile….when you feel like it

Editor’s note: This article was published on April 20, 2020. Further developments in what we know about COVID-19 are continuously emerging.