Covid 19 vaccine

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boxhill
Posts: 789
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:40 am

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby boxhill » Thu Feb 18, 2021 11:29 am

Glad to hear that SOMEONE is getting vaccinated! They're still working on people 70+ only here in Maine.
F, 64 at DX CRC Stage IV
3/17/18 blockage, r hemi
11 of 25 LN,5 mesentery nodes
5mm liver met
pT3 pN2b pM1
BRAF wild, KRAS G12D
dMMR, MSI-H
5/18 FOLFOX
7/18 and 11/18 CT NED
12/18 MRI 5mm liver mass, 2 LNs in porta hepatis
12/31/18 Keytruda
6/19 Multiphasic CT LNs normal, Liver stable
6/28/19 Pause Key, predisone for joint pain
7/31/19 Restart Key
9/19 CT stable
Pain: all fails but Celebrex
12/23/19 CT stable
5/20 MRI stable/NED
6/20 Stop Key
All MRIs NED

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horizon
Posts: 1668
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:10 pm

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby horizon » Mon Feb 22, 2021 12:47 pm

I got so excited when I saw my caller ID say that my care center was calling me. I thought for certain it was going to be for a vaccine appointment. They wanted to move my colonoscopy appointment. :|
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 12 years NED). Is this real life?

Siti
Posts: 269
Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:58 am

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby Siti » Wed Feb 24, 2021 10:26 am

Finally caught up with this thread, I shall ignore some of the terrible comments here, although I am rather disappointed to have read them!

Moving on...

I wanted to seek your view — My husband has been offered to participate in a trial. Essentially they want to evaluate the safety and immune response of cancer patients. We don’t know yet which vaccine they will be offered.

From my understanding, Pfizer triggers both antibodies and killer T-cells. But I wonder if the body would “reprioritise” its defence? I’m convinced that his immunity has been helping keep his cancer at bay.... it’s just a hunch of course. No evidence whatsoever. That being said, my husband received the flu vaccine a few months ago before winter and he was totally fine. Not a single side effect and he even forgotten that he took the jab!

One of the benefits is he could be one of the first to receive protection, because I suppose contracting Covid-19 is by far worse than taking a vaccine. And I suppose we can’t live in isolation forever and he would eventually need to be vaccinated too, if not now, later this year.

Any of you who are on maintenance chemo / active chemo have been vaccinated? What did your doctors say?
DH (54) DX on 5/7/19
Sigmoid|G3|LN:30/31|MSS|WT KRAS, NRAS, BRAF
7/19 PET distant LN para-aorta neck hip (0.5-1.5cm)
7/19 Lap resection
26/8 to 20/12/19 CAPEOX+Bev 7x
6/11/19 CT 3 cycle LN shrunk
1/20 Cap+Bev
4/20 TS-1+Bev due to bad HFS
NED 4 years
8/23 PET recurrence chest LN growing since Feb. CEA May(4.5>5.1>5.9)
9/23 Stopped Bev, CEA Sept(8.7) Radio 17x
11/23 PET 1+ supraclavicular LN, CEA (3.4>2.5)
12/23 Lymphadenectomy
1/24 Narrow margins, 1/5 +LN, 1.4cm +tissue, TMB (19)

roadrunner
Posts: 452
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:46 pm

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby roadrunner » Wed Feb 24, 2021 2:18 pm

I am not on active chemo, but I have read extensively on this subject, and oncologists are nearly uniform in recommending the COVID-19 vaccines for cancer patients (including those on active chemo). And when I was on active chemo, my team told me to get a flu shot (I did). Efficacy of the COVID vaccines, particularly in cases of substantial immunocompromise from certain blood cancers or certain treatments (not usual for solid tumor/CRC patients), is somewhat of an open question, but safety is nearly universally acknowledged. But I would ask this: If your husband got a flu shot without concern or speculation that his immune system would be “overburdened” by the additional “task” promoted by the vaccine, why start worrying now about the COVID-19 vaccine? Also, keep in mind that natural viral infections such as colds, COVID, and the flu, put a burden on the immune system. In fact, I suspect that a tough battle with COVID might well be more “distracting” to the immune system than a vaccination. Finally, keep in mind that while there is some work for the immune system to do when one gets the shot, the body returns to a “ready” state relatively quickly after vaccination—that’s why the side effects don’t last for weeks or months. And that’s why antibodies are persistent and the anamnestic immune response exists. We’re all immune to measles, for example, though we got our vaccinations years ago, and our body isn’t currently “distracted,” by producing measles antibodies (at least not materially “distracted”). Also, the body produces *billions* of lymphocytes and other immune cells. It’s got good reserves for multi-tasking in most cases. That’s why chemo/radiation (immunosuppressive, but usually mildly or moderately so) work for cancer, but—for example—organ transplantation (with attendant very significant immuncompromise from the drugs necessary for transplantation) has been of limited value. It’s all a balance, and the immune system can generally handle a vaccine. I’ve never seen or heard and oncologist worry about the kind of “re-prioritization” that concerns you (though I understand the common sense concept—they advise that you don’t take a flu shot and COVID shot at the same time, for example—but just think it’s not likely in play here).

Finally, while you start with a reasonable premise that that the immune system is working to keep cancer at bay, it’s just speculation that a vaccine might interfere with that. On the other hand, we know that (1) COVID in cancer patients is high(er) risk, and (2) the vaccine works very well. The balance favors the vaccine in nearly all cases I think.

Hope this helps, or at least gives you some things to look into that might be helpful.
7/19: RC: Staged IIIA, T2N1M0
approx 4.25 cm, low/mid rectum, mod. well diff.; lung micronodule
8/19-10/19 4 rds.FOLFOX neoadjuvant, 3 w/Oxiplatin (reduced 70-75%)
neoadjuvant chemorad 11/19
4 rounds FOLFOX July-August 2020
ncCR 10/20; biopsies neg
TAE 11/20, tumor cells removed
Chest CT 3/30/21 growth in 2 nodules (3 and 5mm)
VATS 12/8/21 sub-pleural met 7mm.
SBRT nodule 1/22
6/20/22 TAE rectal polyp benign)
NED from 3/22 - 3/23
4 cycles FOLFIRI
LUL VATS lobectomy for radio resistant met 7/7/23

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horizon
Posts: 1668
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:10 pm

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby horizon » Wed Feb 24, 2021 3:22 pm

roadrunner wrote:I am not on active chemo, but I have read extensively on this subject, and oncologists are nearly uniform in recommending the COVID-19 vaccines for cancer patients (including those on active chemo). And when I was on active chemo, my team told me to get a flu shot (I did).


They actually were able to give me a flu shot during one of the days I was already there for an infusion during my treatment!
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 12 years NED). Is this real life?

Siti
Posts: 269
Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:58 am

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby Siti » Thu Feb 25, 2021 12:16 pm

Thanks for the feedback roadrunner & horizon.

My husband will proceed with the trial. His oncologist fully supports it. He will get his first dose of Moderna this Saturday! I will update on side effects (if any), and any interesting data. Looking forward to the world to resume some normalcy soon! We haven’t gone to a restaurant or seen my family for over a year now.
DH (54) DX on 5/7/19
Sigmoid|G3|LN:30/31|MSS|WT KRAS, NRAS, BRAF
7/19 PET distant LN para-aorta neck hip (0.5-1.5cm)
7/19 Lap resection
26/8 to 20/12/19 CAPEOX+Bev 7x
6/11/19 CT 3 cycle LN shrunk
1/20 Cap+Bev
4/20 TS-1+Bev due to bad HFS
NED 4 years
8/23 PET recurrence chest LN growing since Feb. CEA May(4.5>5.1>5.9)
9/23 Stopped Bev, CEA Sept(8.7) Radio 17x
11/23 PET 1+ supraclavicular LN, CEA (3.4>2.5)
12/23 Lymphadenectomy
1/24 Narrow margins, 1/5 +LN, 1.4cm +tissue, TMB (19)

Internal1
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2020 10:58 am

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby Internal1 » Fri Feb 26, 2021 10:57 pm

Hello Siti,

I received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month and I didn’t have any side effects other than minor arm soreness at the side of injection. I am on active chemo( 5-fu and avastin). Some of my colleagues who don’t have cancer experienced fever, chills and myalgia after their second dose. They took NSAIDs and Tylenol and they were fine. Their side effects lasted for 2 days


Internal1

Siti
Posts: 269
Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:58 am

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby Siti » Sun Feb 28, 2021 1:41 am

Internal1 wrote:Hello Siti,

I received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine last month and I didn’t have any side effects other than minor arm soreness at the side of injection. I am on active chemo( 5-fu and avastin). Some of my colleagues who don’t have cancer experienced fever, chills and myalgia after their second dose. They took NSAIDs and Tylenol and they were fine. Their side effects lasted for 2 days


Internal1


That’s comforting to know! My husband had his first dose yesterday and everything is fine so far. Are you also enrolled in a trial or does Canada already have the green light on vaccinating patients under active cancer treatment?
DH (54) DX on 5/7/19
Sigmoid|G3|LN:30/31|MSS|WT KRAS, NRAS, BRAF
7/19 PET distant LN para-aorta neck hip (0.5-1.5cm)
7/19 Lap resection
26/8 to 20/12/19 CAPEOX+Bev 7x
6/11/19 CT 3 cycle LN shrunk
1/20 Cap+Bev
4/20 TS-1+Bev due to bad HFS
NED 4 years
8/23 PET recurrence chest LN growing since Feb. CEA May(4.5>5.1>5.9)
9/23 Stopped Bev, CEA Sept(8.7) Radio 17x
11/23 PET 1+ supraclavicular LN, CEA (3.4>2.5)
12/23 Lymphadenectomy
1/24 Narrow margins, 1/5 +LN, 1.4cm +tissue, TMB (19)

Internal1
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2020 10:58 am

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby Internal1 » Sun Feb 28, 2021 2:56 am

Hello Siti,

I am a physician and work in a hospital and I have direct contact with covid patients. In Canada, front line healthcare workers are getting vaccinated first . I was worried about the side effects but everything went well.

stu
Posts: 1612
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby stu » Sun Feb 28, 2021 3:50 am

Hi Siti,

Think we are a bit further ahead with our vaccine program . All clinical vulnerabilities have received their vaccines. All younger with underlying health conditions like asthma are getting done this week . Both myself ( carer) and two sons will receive our first dose this week .

Hoping to have all over 50s done within the next six weeks I think .
I have been keeping a close eye on our cancer forums . Vast majority have already had the vaccine. Just finding a suitable point in their treatment . Their partners in most cases too! Have actually not heard of anyone complaining of side effects . The only people to have hit my radar are frail elderly with underlying health conditions . But have found their feet again after a few days .

My mum is not on active treatment .

Interesting research coming through here ! The government rolled the dice and decided on one dose for most with a three month interval. A move away from the design protocols! Lots of controversy! Anyway they have been able to study a group with a delayed second dose and the longer gap has actually increased immunity from the first dose . Up in the 80s . So it seems to have paid off . Our death rate is plummeting although still too high but we have a pathway out of this !
Some good news for a change !
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby Beckster » Sun Feb 28, 2021 5:07 am

I received my first dose of the Moderna vaccine on January 27th and the second dose on February 26th. First dose produced only a sore arm and slight headache. However, the second dose was a different story. Sore arm but 12 hours after the shot, I had a fever with chills and achy. This lasted for 24 hours. I am happy to say that i am back to normal!
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

Siti
Posts: 269
Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:58 am

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby Siti » Sun Feb 28, 2021 5:18 am

stu wrote:I have been keeping a close eye on our cancer forums . Vast majority have already had the vaccine. Just finding a suitable point in their treatment . Their partners in most cases too! Have actually not heard of anyone complaining of side effects . The only people to have hit my radar are frail elderly with underlying health conditions . But have found their feet again after a few days .


Are they given the AstraZeneca vaccine? There’s such battle here in Europe and many have declined to be vaccinated if it was AstraZeneca because it has received a lot of bad press lately. I’m not sure if the press is reporting the same thing in the respective countries so sometimes I prefer to seek information from forums or speaking to locals.

Leaving the political battles aside, I’m really happy there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel (also with more sunshine as spring approaches!) and hopefully we can all be reunited with our families soon. My husband was really happy he received his vaccine yesterday and since he’s on the trial for 1 year, he will be closely monitored for antibodies which I think is an added bonus.
DH (54) DX on 5/7/19
Sigmoid|G3|LN:30/31|MSS|WT KRAS, NRAS, BRAF
7/19 PET distant LN para-aorta neck hip (0.5-1.5cm)
7/19 Lap resection
26/8 to 20/12/19 CAPEOX+Bev 7x
6/11/19 CT 3 cycle LN shrunk
1/20 Cap+Bev
4/20 TS-1+Bev due to bad HFS
NED 4 years
8/23 PET recurrence chest LN growing since Feb. CEA May(4.5>5.1>5.9)
9/23 Stopped Bev, CEA Sept(8.7) Radio 17x
11/23 PET 1+ supraclavicular LN, CEA (3.4>2.5)
12/23 Lymphadenectomy
1/24 Narrow margins, 1/5 +LN, 1.4cm +tissue, TMB (19)

stu
Posts: 1612
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby stu » Sun Feb 28, 2021 7:04 am

Hi Siti ,

The GP practices have been using the Astra Zeneca vaccine . Much easier to store for them. I would think most elderly and vulnerable citizens will have had it as they mainly got vaccinated by their GP practices. The larger vaccine centres and the NHS frontline workers are able to store the Pfizer vaccine under the correct conditions . The results in the elderly population in terms of illness have been really encouraging .

I had briefly seen some of the resistance to the Oxford vaccine but on the ground it’s doing a good job . It has also been easier for NHS staff to administer to vulnerable adults who can’t leave their homes .

The infection rates and death rates are really starting to drop . There is Spring in the air and feeling of hope !
Take care ,
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

stu
Posts: 1612
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby stu » Thu Mar 04, 2021 4:33 am

So both myself and my sons got the AstraZeneca vaccine. Was surprised to feel quite ill for 24 hours . My parents had the same one and were fine .

Anyway just grateful to have it and there is talk of a third top up in Autumn. The Strain identified in Brazil has arrived in Scotland but contained just now so I think it’s possibly to cover all possibilities.
The good news our infection rate has sharply plummeted from 60000 to 6000 daily ! This is working !
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

Siti
Posts: 269
Joined: Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:58 am

Re: Covid 19 vaccine

Postby Siti » Fri Mar 05, 2021 3:44 am

stu wrote:So both myself and my sons got the AstraZeneca vaccine. Was surprised to feel quite ill for 24 hours . My parents had the same one and were fine .

Anyway just grateful to have it and there is talk of a third top up in Autumn. The Strain identified in Brazil has arrived in Scotland but contained just now so I think it’s possibly to cover all possibilities.
The good news our infection rate has sharply plummeted from 60000 to 6000 daily ! This is working !
Stu


That’s such encouraging news!! Thanks for sharing :))

Apparently getting fever is “good news” cause it means it’s working. My husband had fatigue and very mild fever the morning after, plus sore arm that lasted 2-3 days. He was given the Moderna vaccine.
DH (54) DX on 5/7/19
Sigmoid|G3|LN:30/31|MSS|WT KRAS, NRAS, BRAF
7/19 PET distant LN para-aorta neck hip (0.5-1.5cm)
7/19 Lap resection
26/8 to 20/12/19 CAPEOX+Bev 7x
6/11/19 CT 3 cycle LN shrunk
1/20 Cap+Bev
4/20 TS-1+Bev due to bad HFS
NED 4 years
8/23 PET recurrence chest LN growing since Feb. CEA May(4.5>5.1>5.9)
9/23 Stopped Bev, CEA Sept(8.7) Radio 17x
11/23 PET 1+ supraclavicular LN, CEA (3.4>2.5)
12/23 Lymphadenectomy
1/24 Narrow margins, 1/5 +LN, 1.4cm +tissue, TMB (19)


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