A Recovering Cancer Patient from Ireland, Shares Her Thoughts

The Faces of Quarantine-One Virus Many Faces: Maria Fleming

I’m feeling sad, but I also feel lucky.
I have a home, a job that I can do from home and get paid, electricity, internet, and food. I do miss family, friends, and hugs.
I am mid-treatment for breast cancer and had returned to work for two weeks after finishing chemotherapy, it was wonderful to be back with my colleagues and out and about meeting friends and family. I work in theatre and love nights of going to live theatre with groups of people. Then everything changed, and I’m back home working from my kitchen.

I’ve now started radiation treatment, and go to the hospital five days a week for short appointments. It does feel bizarre to be having treatment in a hospital in the middle of a pandemic.

My biggest concern is if a member of my family or I get sick, there is no chance to say goodbye. Once anyone enters the hospital, they can have no visitors. My mother is 80 and living on her own, and my sister brings her shopping and meals. We do talk to her on the phone, but…