So, as I’m preparing for mobilisation now, I’m being extra careful and masking wherever I go, I’m getting used to be stared at, but find it a bit uncomfortable,to the point that while waiting 20mins in the chemist for a prescription I nearly pulled out my cancer alert card to prove ‘why’ I needed to mask! And it got me thinking?!
ehat do we need to carry on us now, while in treatment and, I guess always 
to alert people? I know at some point we need to notify of irradiated blood? And I know a lady that goes out with multiple bracelets on? How do others navigate this please?
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I have one of these and wear it with pride 
it’s my profile picture
Im still shielding and wear a mask to any hospital app
Yesterday in the one place you would think people wouldn’t stare is hematology patients waiting for their app.
I have been told I’m a f idiot by someone walking past me
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Thanks @2DB ! Oh it was just a normal high street chemist I was in x getting used to it now, I was just wondering what people took out with them , like paperwork in case involved in an accident or taken Ill, 
just in case of needing help, I know onr lady that wears a number of bracelets to alert emergency service,
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Hello @Byrnebaby I have worn a Medic Alert bracelet for years. You pay an annual subscription which is not that expensive and choose either a bracelet or necklace and Medic Alert nurses will help you to decide what information to have engraved on it. It gives me peace of mind in case of any accident or emergency. Hope this helps. There are probably other organisations that do something similar but that is what I have done. Willow x
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I also have all my detail in the medical section of my phone that emergency services can access
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Great question @Byrnebaby, I think about this quite a lot as I tend to roam about and wonder what would happen if unable to explain my various conditions.
I get the impression that many paramedics and other healthcare people who’d need our medical info will look at our smartphones these days if we’re unable to tell them ourselves.
We can add our medical information to the Medical ID on the locked screen of our phones so a medic can check in emergencies. They only have access to the info we put on that one page. I can’t take a screen shot of my phone to show you but I’m sure any modern smartphone has a similar thing, maybe have a look.
Always liked your badge and it being your forum image @2DB! I still wear my mask whenever in a healthcare setting or busy public place, and especially the cancer ward I go to for phlebotomy. My specialists always seem to be wearing theirs too. Perhaps it’s because I live in such a progressive region but it’s never felt awkward to mask up here. It saddens me to read that people actively abuse others who are wearing a mask for our own safety!
I like the idea of your bracelet @Willow, a lovely way to be less ‘medicalised’ but still informative. Haven’t heard of any of these ways of displaying medical information over here, maybe just too big and varied a country to unify it.
Glad we’re all trying to keep ourselves safe!
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Hi @Byrnebaby
Shouldn’t be concerned about what others think about you wearing a mask.
I’m still wearing one in shops cafes and anywhere where feel I want that feeling of safety even though I’m over a year post transplant.
If I think someone needs reassurance about me wearing mask I usually say I don’t have COVID but my immunity is suppressed.
In many ways just wearing a mask means people keep their distance.
I see others have offered some great tips 
Hope they all help 
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Good evening @Byrnebaby @Willow @2DB @Duncan and @DuncanB, yes, it can be very difficult with such “hidden” conditions as we all live with. Like @Willow, I too wear a MedicAlert bracelet, in fact I have three of them! One on a fabric strap, that matches my (cheap!) work watch, an “everyday” one in black that matches my “everyday” watch and a stainless steel bracelet to match my “posh” watch, for when I have to dress up. The last one doesn’t get much use these days!
It can be difficult when people we don’t know/who don’t know us, get too close when they have obvious cough and cold symptoms, especially when residual politeness “kicks in”, but being a fairly tall and well built bloke I can usually get away with a nice glower at the offending and approaching sickie. And if that doesn’t work, then “exotic” vocabulary is ready and waiting to be deployed!
Anyway, I hope you are all enjoying the better weather, set to mostly remain with us for the next week. By that time, we shall all be “flagging” and complaining about the heatwave! 
.
As always, my Forum Friends, take care, stay safe, be kind to yourselves and keep smiling.
Best wishes,
Jimbo165
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Hi @Byrnebaby @Willow @2DB @Duncan @DuncanB @Jimbo165
I carry a Blood Cancer UK infection alert card, I still have my ‘Please stand back, I’m shielding badge’ I often wear my Blood Cancer UK mask and I wear my medical alert necklace and carry their card. I used to wear the medical alert bracelet, but my boss complained that it made a noise on my desk. Times have changed that was 22 yrs ago before ‘reasonable adaptions’ etc.The only problem with the bracelets/necklaces is I kept on get other health issues that medical services would need to know about and there was getting less and less room on them.
I also keep a ‘grab bag’ packed with clothes and toiletries in case I am taken into hospital and I carry a copy of my prescription on my phone case.
Who cares what people think, that is their problem not mine. I sport a big bald patch on the top of my head due to skin cancer ops and thinning hair. If I let it worry me I would never leave my house, thank goodness for hats.
Yes, as @Jimbo165 says ‘my Forum Friends, take care, stay safe, be kind to yourselves and keep smiling.’
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Love your idea of having a grab bag @Erica, sounds like the ones we have should there be a wildfire/earthquake/tsunami. Totally agree about not caring what others think, although I imagine when they get up in one’s face like with @2DB it must be difficult not to respond in kind with some choice phrases 
I once had a total stranger yell the offensive LGBTQ+ F-word alternative to cigarette at me whilst getting off a bus during the early days of the pandemic, on my way to be tested for COVID-19 no less, and I just gave her a pitying look of really?! In front of her kid too, dear me.
Perhaps, like @Jimbo165 (hey there Jimbo!), being a bigger human with excellent glowering skills keeps most rude people away 
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Oh @Duncan I was really shocked when I read your post that you had had to go through such a horrible incident and that the woman had her child with her, what an example to set. I thought that you handled it brilliantly, I take my hat off to you, look after yourself my forum friend
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Aw @Erica that’s very sweet of you! I look back on it with humour now, and I didn’t feel in danger, but thank you. It’s one of those scenarios where I wish I could have thought more quickly and responded in the campiest way YES I AM and then wave cheerio with the biggest rainbow flag ever. Alas, my brain was not fast enough 
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Morning @Byrnebaby
Many members find that wearing a MedicAlert bracelet gives them the “proof” they feel they need without having to say a word. It’s also worth checking if your phone has a “Medical ID” feature that can be accessed by emergency services from the lock screen.
Have you had a chance to ask your clinical nurse specialist for the specific “Irradiated Blood” card yet? They usually have them tucked away in a drawer! I know I was given a chemotherapy card to present whilst I was undergoing treatment.
Whilst wearing a mask shouldn’t feel difficult I know what you mean - the Sunflower Lanyard is widely recognised in the UK as a sign of a “hidden disability.” It doesn’t say “cancer,” but it subtly lets people and staff in shops or chemists know you might need a bit of extra space or patience.
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How long do we need the irradiated blood card for? I haven’t had a Stem cell transplant yet?! , I don’t want to think of myself as disabled 
I don’t feel as though I am oh gawd , this is all so triggering and too much for me
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Hello to our “overseas correspondent” @Duncan, and everyone else of course, how are things on your side of the pond? More disturbing news this morning, and from the same building that President Reagan was shot outside 45 years ago too.
I echo the words of @Erica and find it shocking that someone yelled at you in such an offensive manner, especially during that difficult period in recent world history.
I too have a “go bag” packed, should such a need arise, but fortunately that need has not arisen since my heart attack some 8 & 1/2 years ago now.
Other than being totally “cream crackered” (as usual) I am as well as can be and enjoying the drier weather immensely as my job loses a lot of its pleasure when cold and wet!
As always my Forum Friends, take care, stay safe, be kind to yourselves and keep on smiling.
Best wishes,
Jimbo165
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Wow @Jimbo165, isn’t it bonkers?! Just woke and your message was the first I’d heard of it—there are many benefits to being on the other coast and 3 time zones away from Washington DC! I’ll just add what my other half pointed out by saying that this sort of thing didn’t happen to Obama or Biden
Thanks for your kindness Jimbo, but honestly that bus-yelling person was pretty mild and schoolyard-esque compared to how violent homophobic and transphobic people can be. Nice to be supported here though!
Oh @Byrnebaby I had this exact same reaction when someone (my therapist!) mentioned me “living with disability” and I was not ready to hear it, I wasn’t even considering myself disabled. But I think reframing it slightly as the illness and treatments that can be disabling but not permanently, rather than disability being an identity helps me tolerate the changes a bit.
And so what if we are disabled, there are further laws that protect us and broaden support and, dare I say it, perks like those parking badges. One thing I enjoy about owning when I’m disabled by fatigue is getting seats at concerts nearer the front!
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You go to concerts @Duncan honestly? This is one thing I thought I’d have to give up forever! I still have so many wonderful groups to see!
Yes, I feel chocked at the thought of being labelled anything, but yes, it can be re-framed as being due to the meds at the moment and the effects (unknown yet of Stem cell transplant)! Thanks for that,
And if you don’t already know, the National Trust have an Essential Companion card that you can apply for as do CADW in wales, you pay but a companion or carer ( again hubby will not be known as my carer 
) can get in free, many zoo’s and attractions do this
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Ahhh @Duncan i didn’t realise you were in America! Sorry! 
Yes awful to have that word shouted at you like that, I’ve experienced similar when out with my son and his fella, and honestly, I could have killed the person shouting, as it had taken a lot for my son to get to that point 
Also on that word! Haha, In ‘88, I was lucky enough to travel to New York, and work in Massachusetts for the summer at a kids camp, under a scheme called Camp America, had to stay in a ymca on Times Square for a few days before travelling onwards, and we had a min orientation meeting, and where all told ‘If you go to a bar or anywhere don’t ever say you are stepping outside of a f**’ as it means something completely different over here’ , always stuck with me that
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I do @Byrnebaby, I love live music. I always mask up of course and if my energy can’t manage the whole gig then I won’t stay for any encores.
It’s worth bearing in mind our different disorders though and individual immunities, but I bet you could use an upcoming concert as something to look forward to.
I even went to a little rural festival after my diagnosis as it was mostly outdoors. You’ll get back to your concerts, and maybe find new interests along the way!
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