Things to know about COVID-19

COVID-19

As our days of social distancing continue, here are some things to know about ways to prevent contracting the Corrona Virus:

· Drink hot fluids

o coffee, tea

· Wash hands frequently

o keep kitchen clean

o keep bathroom clean

o Keep house clean

o watch who you smoke with

· Wear your mask when in a public environment

· Disinfect handles, door knobs etc.

· Stay home as much as possible

Asthmatics vs. COVID-19

If you are an asthmatic, doctor's recommend always using medication that is prescribed for your Asthma on a regular base and it is best to stay in the house as much as possible.

People that have Asthma are more easily able to contract the virus vs. someone that is not an asthmatic.

Asthma being a respiratory illness; which is similar to COVID-19 symptoms, it is safe to say people with Asthma should get regular check ups.

Each state has its own struggle with these unparalleled times. The Oklahoma State Department of Health has issued a “Situation Update” with information about the number of proven cases for our state.

“As of this advisory, there are 5,960 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma”

https://coronavirus.health.ok.gov/

On a good note, there has been more people that have lived after contracting the virus than died. Stay healthy, be precautions, make good decisions and get checkups if there are symptoms.

How long will this pandemic last?

People are saying the world should return back to normal at about the end of July, 2020 or maybe beginning of August 2020.

However, those because of COVID-19 that are drawing their unemployment benefits and are receiving an extra $600 a week, are currently waiting on the litigation process of expanding the extra $600 a month stimulus until January of 2021.

Democrats are pushing towards expanding til January of 2021. The republicans on another note believes expanding the extra stimulus benefits til January of 2021 will only make Americans lazy and not want to return back to work.

Stage 3 Breast Cancer

The treatment plan gets intense in stage 3. The tumor has grown and possibly spread to other areas of the body. In this stage, it is identified as “locally advanced breast cancer.” In the locally advanced stage, it has rapidly spread to other areas of the lymph nodes and or arm pit.

There is a possibility cancer has infected tissues inside the breast, around the area of the actual tumor. Whichever breast has the tumor is usually were the cancer spreads. In stage 3, the tumor is much larger than 2cm.

The lymph nodes or auxiliary vessels have been invaded by other inflammations or tumors either under the neck or lumps under the arm pits which will create a need for local therapy and systematic therapy. The tumor does extend or protrude outwardly, above the skin because the tumor could be any size at this point.

Even though the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, it has not spread to the internal organs yet in this stage. Stage 3 breast cancer is all about how big the tumor has grown.

Stage 2 Breast Cancer

Stage 2 breast cancer is when the cancer has spread to the Lymph Nodes.

When diagnosed with different stages of breast cancer, it is always a rule of thumb to get a second diagnoses from another doctor to ensure you are being diagnosed correctly. It is very possible to get a wrong diagnosis. Even though the Doctors are special cancer Doctor’s, they also make mistakes at times.

What is Invasive Procedures?

The medical term Invasive means “requiring the entry of a needle, catheter, or other instrument into a part of the body, especially in a diagnostic procedure, as a biopsy.” (Dictionary.com)

Invasive procedures are added to a treatment plan once stage 2 breast cancer is evident. In stage 2, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes which is usually located under the arm pit and on the side of the breast that has the tumor.

What is a Lymph Node?

“Any of numerous bean-shaped masses of tissue, situated along the course of lymphatic vessels, that help to protect against infection by killing bacteria and neutralizing toxins and are the source of lymphocytes.“ (Dictionary.com)

Tumors being from 2cm to 5cm, or stage 2 breast cancer, sometimes may not be detected from ultra sounds or mammograms. Just because a tumor is not detected, does not mean it is not their. This is why second opinions is very important for a patient.

There is a process of treatment called local therapy and systematic therapy

Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy takes place to cure a patient from stage 2 breast cancer if the surgery goes well.

Local therapy deals with the actual lump or tumor that has been found in the breast. In local therapy, the peanut size tumor is attempted to be destroyed through surgery and or radiation treatment.

Systematic therapy is a process were chemotherapy or targeted therapy is administered throughout the body to check or kill any other cancer cells that may have spread in different areas of the body.

Get educated on breast cancer stages and always get checked regularly.

Please call Morton Comprehensive Health services and schedule your mammograms today.

1334 N Lansing Ave, Tulsa, OK 74106 - (918) 587-2171