COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

@rosemary so the surgeon (himself) called me to cancel my ERCP tomorrow morning. They have cancelled all elective surgeries here in Ontario.

As a liver transplant 2007, I am also concerned about the virus. It is not in our area yet, but I work as a home health and hospice nurse. I only take Sirolimus. I am torn as to whether or not I need to take off work and stay home. I have always practiced good hygiene technique and handwashing. I also worry about this because my lungs took a big hit when I had my transplant and I spent a month on the ventilator and I do have some scarring in them. I have done great after my initial lengthy recovery from transplant. Can't believe it's been 13 years.

The way I see it, if you don't take care of your own health, what good are you to your clients?

@annmariaa - I’m my opinion you are a very high risk person. Even if you don’t have the virus in your area yet, it maybe there tomorrow. Please, take good care of yourself and stay home.

@annmariaa, 13 years sounds beautiful! When is your anniversary? What organ did you receive?

The virus is closing in on my area in central Kentucky. In addition to all of the good hygiene pracrtices we are using, there is a huge concern about 'social distancing' - 6 ft apart. Schools, businesses, restaurants , even churches are closing. Please don't put yourself at any risk of picking up this coronavirus.
Thank you for serving as a home health care and hospice nurse.

@livertrex, Here is a conversation with other transplant patients who are talking about COVID-19. You have asked a good question and I think that this is a good place to post it so others can also benefit from the discussion.

Hi, I live in Western Colorado and I had my transplant in August of last year in Arizona. I'm feeling fine. Still a few complications with dizziness, but overall I'm getting out and feeling strong. Now the State wants me to stay home. We only have one case of covid -19 in our County. I think I'm okay and the risk is low. What does everyone else think? I would still like to go to church and the men's group tomorrow.

Hi I would stay home for sure until you are 100% complete cured especially that your immune system may be compromised for quite some time I am also on the liver transplant list and have been waiting for 10 years for a donor unfortunately have not found anyone but I would definitely stay in the house and remain washing your hands at all costs to keep you from catching anything else stay strong take one day at a time

We are also doing the same things we started doing after my husband got his new lung almost a year ago. Thanks to the Mayo Clinic for preparing us so well for what was coming up. We are in self-isolation right now. I do the grocery shopping and that is pretty much it. We have not had a single cold since we came back and we are praying that he does not get this new virus. We are concerned as all of the supplies we usually use are out of stock. For example, our special sanitizing wipes, gloves, and Cambridge masks are out of stock in Amazon. Does anyone know where we can purchase the Cambridge masks?
We pray that God keeps all of us healthy and safe.

Thanks, but it seems like there's a lot of overreaction.