LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The coronavirus pandemic has lead to the expansion of health professionals using telehealth as a means for doctors and patients to stay connected.

Misty Aubrey is fighting her stage 4 neuroendocrine carcinoma during coronavirus pandemic.

“Coming into the world of cancer, everything is thrown at you so quickly,” said Aubrey.

Aubrey has known this fact ever since October 2017 when her fight began. But, when society had to adapt to face a new threat in COVID-19, her Norton Cancer Institute oncologist pitched her the idea of moving to telehealth options, to prevent her from having to commute to many different appointments.

“It’s just been a godsend, it really has. To not just sit in the parking lot and wait to have your temperature taken,” said Aubrey.

Doing appointments that can be done virtually saves Aubrey time but is also a stress reliever. She still has to go in for shots, blood work, and other procedures. She said the telehealth option has made her feel very connected with her medical team during the COVID-19 crisis.

“I feel like if we didn’t have all of this, we almost be put back at the beginning when you didn’t know what you were going to do and how it was going to end up,” said Aubrey. “As far as doctor-patient relations, I think if a doctor is willing to utilize this to their advantage it would solve so many problems,” she added.

She wants patients who might be intimidated by technology to at least give telehealth a try. 

Aubrey says that she and her Norton Cancer Institute team of doctors will be sticking with telehealth for all of her appointments that can be done virtually.