COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

Logistically:
My husband and I are now telecommuting to work 4 of 5 days per week to limit unnecessary contact with people.
We have switched to church online rather than in person (although it's not the same).
We added food to our cupboards in case we are quarantined.

Emotionally:
I am worried that being immune compromised might make me more susceptible to contracting the virus.
I am worried I might lose my transplant if I get COVID-19.
I am happy people are learning how important it is to wash their hands.

Hi @jolinda I too am doing all the things i have always done i see you mentioned Church so as a fellow believer i have felling more confident these days in the Promise of our Lord and savior that he is in control and will protect us according to his overall plan. So prayer is another avenue i definitely use to protect myself. We also have live stream and our pastor has asked that anyone feeling even a bit under the weather stay home and watch the Livestream. Plus we have asked to understand stand those that attend please refrain from handshaking. I'm one of the livestream operator's so i will probably still attend but i stay in my cubicle and wave. May God bless you.

Hello to all the transplant patients! Certainly our anxiety increases with the possibility of any type of virus present in our surroundings. Immunosuppression is troublesome for respiratory viruses. We always are cautious and careful. COVID-19 offers new concern because it is an unknown - no vaccine - and we don't know if the trajectory of the illness is going up or down. Thinking all this through, I have self-isolated even though there are only 2 cases in my county (Arizona). So, we are also watching church service online. My heart transplant was 3 years ago and I am still on prednisone and, of course, mycophenalate and sirolimus. I wonder if I am actually more protected than others from the virus because of the steroid. No other respiratory virus has been shown to affect potential rejection so I wouldn't think the COVID-19 would. These are good questions for our doctors! Take care everyone and stay healthy. Our God is good!

@estrada53
Congrats on your heart transplant!
I'm comforted to hear you have chosen to self-isolate as well, it makes me feel like I'm not overreacting.
I'm trying to avoid too much worrying because I know stress isn't good but it's been a challenge.

@danab
He's gotten us this far!
🙂

Our church sent an email stating that they are still planning to have in person services, but won't be shaking hands after it. They also asked that anyone who is compromised or in poor health to stay home. So that is what we will be doing.

My husband is a liver recipient, so I've stressed to him to please stay home as much as possible since he is no longer working. We did go out to eat last night at a local restaurant, but went early before it was busy. We were there only ones there the majority of the time. I did let him go with me to buy groceries today. (Unsure if that was wise) but we are home for the rest of the weekend.

We are being diligent with the hand washing and are just going to stay home a lot more for the time being. I have to go to work and he keeps telling me that I can't get sick because I need to care for him. ( He was diagnosed with dementia, unrelated to his transplant) So I do what I can.

Blessings,
JoDee

I also am concerned about this coronavirus. I guess you could say I'm being super vigilant, and selective of whether I go anywhere. My husband is running the errands so I can avoid close contacts.
We did go out to dinner tonight at our son's restaurant because I know how he has trained his staff, and we went at a nonbusy time.
I will not go to church tomorrow, but will go during a lightly attend weekday mass.

I received a "Dear Mayo Clinic Patient" email today. Perhaps some of you did too. Here are the 2 takeaways that fit into this discussion:

-"Remember to take steps to keep yourself healthy: Wash your hands; avoid touching your face; and practice appropriate self-care, including staying home when you are sick."

-"Please rely on us for information about COVID-19. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for current, accurate information. Partner with us to stay safe, healthy and informed."
——

Science Saturday: More COVID-19 cases, take common sense precautions
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/science-saturday-more-covid-19-cases-take-precautions/
**Be sure to Watch – Dr. Joseph Sirven discusses importance of remaining calm amidst COVID-19 concerns.

I also received the letter from Mayo which I considered was for all of their patients, not necessarily for transplant patients. I am generally behaving as I did after returning home from the hospital after my transplant with a few exceptions. I am 3 years out from my transplant and have experienced 3 vicious respiratory viruses. I don't want to go through it again and this is more dangerous. I'm being careful and prayerful.

And cool as a cucumber!

What just happened to the post in Spanish? He was asking how to donate his kidney.