2020/04/17 - Walter's Blog: Pre-COVID vs. Post-COVID
Pre-COVID vs. Post-COVID
April 17, 2020
We thought we knew how the year was going to go. Then COVID-19 happened. From now on, we will be talking about how the world was pre-COVID and how we do things post-COVID. We are still sorting through what that reality will look like, but it is certain that things will never be the same.
It is truly extraordinary how the world and the economy ground to a complete stop in a period of two weeks. Our budgets, capital projects, and developments are suddenly thrown into chaos with no guidance on how to proceed. Revenue projections are dire. We have been thrust into teleworking and virtual meetings much faster than anyone expected and terms such as “social distancing,” “shelter in place,” and “flattening the curve” have dominated conversations.
Unfortunately, I have some experience in quarantines. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and was forced to quarantine at various times during my hospital stays, chemotherapy treatments, surgical procedures, and multiple infections. During that time, my family developed our own survival techniques and I hope they might help you as our world is faced with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manage your expectations
Living through a cancer diagnosis and treatments can be like a roller coaster: good news then bad news then uncertain news. Your health and future are only as certain your next CT scan or blood test. When will the journey end?
It is easier to cope if you manage expectations so that you will not be disappointed and demoralized with each setback. We were always convinced that we would get through this horrible experience, but it would not likely be tomorrow, next week, or next month. We understood early on my cancer diagnosis was a marathon, not a sprint (for those of you who have read “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, this is known as the Stockdale Paradox).
Dealing with COVID-19 will likely be the same way. We all want to “reopen” society and the economy, but it will not happen quickly. I have faith that our medical community will find a treatment and vaccine, but there will be a long period of successes and setbacks before we get there.
You are not alone
Being isolated does not mean being alone. Enrich yourself and your relationships through intentional outreach to your family, friends, and environment. During my stem cell transplant, I was scheduled to live in a hospital room 30 days. That is the ultimate “shelter in place” in that my life was reduced to a 10 x 10 room and I had to wear a mask just to walk on the hospital floor. I understood early on that I needed to build structure into my days: I did yoga every morning (no matter how rotten I felt), read a devotional book, stayed current with local and national news, and stayed in touch with family and friends (by phone, email, and FaceTime) to strengthen my relationships and reinforce that I am not in this alone.
Listen to the experts
There was a point in my treatment where there was no road map for what to do next. My doctors said that they had never treated anyone in my situation (sarcoma, stem cell transplant, sarcoma recurrence). So we looked at the possibilities, weighed the probabilities, and went with the option that had the greatest chance for success. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but I am grateful for my doctor’s candor, courage and determination. We also must rely on experts to navigate this COVID-19 crisis and must use their guidance to plan for our communities’ recovery.
Acknowledge the heroes
I would not be alive without the efforts of countless people behind the scenes. First of all, my wife and family were heroic caregivers throughout my treatments. I also had incredible doctors and nurses who led me through my various surgeries, tests, and treatments. I received blood and platelet transfusions from generous donors who were never recognized for their anonymous gifts. We were blessed with friends who helped with carpools and meals. Most importantly, I am alive because of the stem cells that were donated for my stem cell transplant. I will forever be indebted to my “brother from another mother” who shared his bone marrow when mine failed. I am living with his stem cells and immune system, and I am grateful for him and all of the other heroes.
As you know, there are numerous heroes amid this crisis. The most visible are the health care professionals and first responders who are risking their lives every day. But there are other City employees who are providing essential services as well as the grocery store workers, small business owners, delivery shoppers, and supply chain workers who allow us to shelter in place.
Give yourself something to look forward to
Even while we were in the middle of my treatments, we planned for what we would do when it was over. We arranged for a trip to visit my sister in Hawaii, we celebrated the end of each round of treatment, and we visited my stem cell donor in Wisconsin.
Similarly, we need to begin planning now for how we will reopen our communities and recover from this trauma. How will we provide safety and security in our public spaces and businesses when we come out of our shelters? Communities that prepare for the next phase will have a competitive advantage in the new reality.
Joy is contagious -- use your situation to provide hope to others
While I would not want to go through cancer again (or wish it on others), we have tried to use our experience to help others. I don’t feel like a hero, but people have expressed to me that they are inspired by my story. I have tried to pay it forward in numerous ways by volunteering for cancer organizations, raising money for cancer research (such as Swim Across America, American Cancer Society, and Be the Match), and speaking to groups about my experience.
Our residents are counting on us for hope in this crisis. Local government is one of the most essential operations and reopening and recovery will be accomplished at the local level first.
You will be changed after this experience
The things you think are important before a cancer diagnosis are not the same things that are important after a cancer diagnosis. The thought of dying from cancer clarifies your priorities. While my job was (and is) important, it is not more important than my family and the relationships I have cultivated over my lifetime. Suddenly, I wondered if I would see my children graduate from high school and college? Would I see them get married? Would I meet my grandchildren? Would I be able to retire and travel the world with my wife? These questions immediately generated much more gravity than before.
My family often references our lives as “Before Cancer” and “After Cancer,” as our family was profoundly changed. We live differently and perceive ourselves and the world differently through the lens of cancer. In the same way, all of us will see the world differently through the lens of pre-COVID and post-COVID. Sheltering in place and social distancing is a small price to pay for the health and safety of our community.