UCLA Medical and its mask-optional policy for staff (including oncolgy)

At the end of this post isa letter I sent to an oncologist whose department saved my life in the summer of 2021 at UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Hospital (I had a bone marrow transplant to treat multiple myeloma).

Sadly, 2023 is not the pandemic summer of 2021 and UCLA has recently changed to please restive, mask-averse, mask-optional staff when administering infusions of anti-cancer medication.  God help us if this becomes future hospital policy.

Sent this to [local oncologist] last night: After last Tuesday at the UCLA Porter Ranch medical center, I feel I must say that I am not comfortable with staff being maskless around me during the process of dispensing medication, administering IVs and the Darzalex infusion itself. If this change in policy keeps happening, then please transfer me to a different location. UCLA may give medical staff freedom of choice as to whether or not to mask. I’d like to not risk being home bound or hospitalized due to their actions.

 

After sending the above, received a voicemail at 8:14 a.m. from Porter Ranch (replied this afternoon) essentially telling me that [local oncologist] can mask and (presumably) the nurse or nurses attending to me will—but policy will be the same wherever I go within the UCLA system.

 

Given the recent rise in Covid-19 infections and the likelihood of further vaccine hesitancy, I find it very saddening that your colleagues and peers approve mask-optional policy in oncology treatment areas.

Partially Found Poem: DISCHARGE INFORMATION

 Based on information I received last July when I had recovered enough from my stem cell transplant to go to the UCLA-sponsored hotel for further rest: 

DISCHARGE INFORMATION 

 

 

To leave hospital, ANC count of 0.5

 

Must be able to eat, drink, take pills normally 

 

If confusion occurs, call doctor

 

Any new redness, swelling in right arm

 

Around PIC line, call doctor

 

 

Platelets (if minor cuts, I.e. shaving),

 

Hemoglobin (blood passed with bowel movement)

 

Call doctor if above occurs

 

Blood in urine, or when brushing teeth

 

No flossing, no aggressive brushing 

 

Be careful when blowing nose

 

In case blood drips out

 

In case headaches occur,

 

Concern with bleeding of brain—call doctor

 

Avoid Tylenol, Advil, Aleve

 

Prevent infection by hand washing, sanitizer 

 

Use shower glove for right arm until PIC line removed 

 

Continue COVID-19 restrictions—visit outdoors, 

 

If running errands, avoid peak hours

 

No dental work until cleared by doctor 

 

At home with cats:

 

No being licked on face 

 

And no cats in bedroom 

 

Wipe down with antibacterial wipes

 

No vaccinations (six month average) until doctor says

 

Cleaning linens at home—average of once a week

 

Food Permitted:

 

Fresh fruits, vegetables (washed thoroughly)

 

Dried fruits okay with packed bags (small)

 

Take-out restaurants made to order (heated thoroughly)

 

No buffets, salad bars etc.

 

No deli food.

 

Frozen, canned food okay.

 

No prepared salads.

 

No prepackaged salads from Ralphs, etc,

 

Frozen dinner okay, cooked properly.

 

Pasteurized dairy (oat milk permitted)

 

No yogurt,

 

Eggs must be fully cooked

 

No raw food

 

 

No alcohol 

 

Diet Soda permitted—bottles, cans

 

Ensure, Boost supplemental drinks

 

Oatmega bars may be okay, Kind bars too.

 

Exercise:

 

Can walk to and from campus 

 

Or around block

 

Ask for the shuttle number if needed

 

This will pass

I’m glad to remain present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Poem: COUNTING

 lots of counting going on

 number of white blood cells

 number of red blood cells

 days until second bone marrow biopsy 

 weeks until stem cell harvest

 week or so after that for stem cell replant 

 hospital stay followed by weeks in hotel 

 then a count of platelets determining recovery

 >

 hoping everything works out

 so I can return home

 and count the weeks until

 a version of normal arrives