COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

Posted by jolinda @jolinda, Mar 14, 2020

As a kidney transplant recipient I have been extra vigilant/worried about protecting myself as COVID-19 spreads. Like most transplant patients I am used to washing my hands, carrying hand-sanitizer, avoiding sick people, getting flu shots, etc. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused me to take additional steps to try to remain safe but I am worried for my health. I would like to hear what you are doing to stay safe and how you are feeling.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

Sorry to hear that you got it. Hope you feel better soon.

REPLY
@guidant07

Just curious if you had your spleen removed prior to transplant,?

Jump to this post

No, gall bladder goes when old liver goes. When I had part of the pancreas removed six months after transplant, they remove the spleen. The surgeon referred to it as “just real estate”.

REPLY
@tjgisewhite

@guidant07 not sure if you are replying to me or the original message. If you are replying to me, the answer is no. I did not have my spleen removed prior to my transplant.

Jump to this post

That is interesting. I had mine removed prior to my 1981 kidney transplant. Catching covid could be a little more serious with me because of that

REPLY

@livertrex Am sorry for you. Glad it was/is no worse than a bad cold. Same that I had two months ago, but no transplants. Hope you are feeling better. Rest a lot--it helps. Will keep you in my prayers.

REPLY
@tjgisewhite

Sorry to hear that you got it. Hope you feel better soon.

Jump to this post

Thanks, the Lord is in control and I will not fear. He has brought me so far and has used me in my situations. I am a lot bolder in my witness.

REPLY
@tjgisewhite

Sorry to hear that you got it. Hope you feel better soon.

Jump to this post

The Lord is my strength.

REPLY

I had a kidney transplant in 1981. I have been pretty much the same thins you are doing. Covid numbers are rising again in Minnesota and my wife works for the school district . We are now wearing masks at home and sleeping in separate bedrooms for now. Jackie is very good about putting her cloths in the laundry and taking a shower as soon as she gets home from work. So far it has worked.

REPLY
@livertrex

Thanks, the Lord is in control and I will not fear. He has brought me so far and has used me in my situations. I am a lot bolder in my witness.

Jump to this post

AMEN

REPLY
@guidant07

Just curious if you had your spleen removed prior to transplant,?

Jump to this post

Don't know where this thread started; but, when I had my kidney transplant in 2000 they took out my gall bladder when they put in my new kidney. The transplant team told me at that time that people did better when the gall bladder was removed.

REPLY
@btwest6

We have had COVID in the house several weeks ago. Our teenage son tested positive and was kept home. My husband had to quarantine at home with him. I continued to work, as I am an essential worker. Interestingly enough, my husband (who received a liver transplant in February) did not catch it, but I did. We did not take any special precautions (continued to live our home life as normal). As far as cleaning, I continued what I do on a regular basis. I share just to encourage others that it is possible to have it in the house, not go to extremes and not pass it on. Both my son and I have been recovered for several weeks and my husband was tested at one point and was negative. We are now well past the time when we should have passed it on. Hooray!

Jump to this post

@btwest6 I’m glad that everyone is well now. It seems as if your husband was very lucky to not catch it. What I have read is that those of us on immunotherapy can catch it more easily but we do not seem to get any sicker than others.

@tjgisewhite why do you think we cannot contract Covid? Our meds weaken our immune system, which makes catching anything more likely, even things like toenail fungus!
JK

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.