COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

@merpreb It's a guy thing. Because he is not having any problems, his labs are all good, he sees no reason to change. He remarks about the chairside manner, but does not plan to make a change.
Ginger

Oh, Ginger - I can relate. My ophthalmologist doesn't have any "chairside manner" but she is extremely knowledgeable and competent. My husband has a new guy in the same clinic who is also very good, and personable, but after 20 years she knows my history so I probably won't change...sigh.
Sue

There is a UK study that’s starting from astro Zeneca. I have sent email to see if this study will also be here at Healthpartners in Bloomington. I applied for a study out of Bloomington but haven’t gotten response yet. They specifically asked if on immune suppression meds. I will update after my consultation. I’m wondering if there was never intention to include transplanted patients in this original vaccine until they saw how it did with healthy immune systems. I would hate if this is how it was planned from the start. I feel like with everything we have all experience we can handle and hard truths. Now we will have to be patient and wait for a new study before vaccine gets green light. We have all been conditioned and have the tools to keep safe. It just may be a bit longer for us. I wish everyone the best!

@zon Hi and thanks for the info on the Vaccine. Interesting I saw a video recently of a Dr who was testifing in the Senate about a drug he has had great success with but manly.when they get the paient early or is taken prior to infection. It was a Doctor Pierre Kory who was speaking on behalf of a group of doctors that have great data on a drug already in use. The plea was to get there data reviewed and approved by the powers to be. Sounded very promising. Here is a link to the video.

Have a blessed Day
Dana

@zon I was very discouraged and frankly, depressed, this week when I read that the vaccine was not being recommended for people on immunosuppressants. We were actually thinking that those of us with compromised immune systems would have some priority but my hopes were dashed with this news.

My husband is isolating to an extreme and expects the same from me. He says I can do what I want but if by that one in a million chance, taking precautions, I was to catch Covid and pass it to him I could never forgive myself if I did survive it. It's not as if I want to do anything extreme, I would simply like to do a couple of very low-risk things like go to the supermarket very early when it was still very empty. Things of that nature. We are having EVERYTHING delivered and now that we cannot visit with friends outside due to the temperatures, I am having a very hard time, it's like being in prison. It looks as if I will have to continue living like this for the foreseeable future. I believe what I read was that it will be at least close to the end of 2021 before immunosuppressed patients MAY be able to get the vaccine.
JK

@contentandwell. I was like your husband in the first few months of the pandamic and I was often in a state of despair and depression. I live alone and it's doing a number on me mentally. Finally, I ventured out to a grocery store, taking all precautions. I was almost euphoric when I got home. It was not even an hour outside my house but it was like getting out of solitary confinement. Mind you, I don't do this very often, and I think it would be less often with cases multiplying everyday. My daughter in law and my 2 year old grandchild made an unexpected visit delivering their Christmas card, it was so wonderful to talk to them, we all have our masks on. We did not hug. My grandson had his mask on the whole time, but ripped it off as soon as he got into the car. I told my children at least they have been their spouses to talk to and do things with, it's so much harder when you're alone. I can understand both you and your husband's point of view, this is such a difficult time there's no simple answer. I just hope 2021 is a better year now that the vaccine is available.

This year has been extremely stressful. Is there a place nearby you are able to drive to and enjoy a nice view or nature? I'm a heart transplant patient and often jump in my car and just drive. I live in Tucson and the mountains are all around us so I'll try to find a route to those amazing peaks. Or I might take a spin around our small downtown and the university. It helps clear my head and provides a needed outlet for all the inside isolation. I also zoom with my sisters every week. There are six of us and we share 16 children and 14 grandchildren. Lots to talk about. I hope you are able to find a way to find blessings in every day even when it's difficult.

@mayofeb2020 My husband was less so initially but we have a close friend who is an extreme fanatic and he and my husband talk a lot. I think that has influenced my husband. When we were able to visit with him and his wife, it was outdoors, 6' apart, and masks on. They are isolating as much as we are so technically, from what I have read, they could be in our "bubble" but he is over-the-top.

My daughter and her husband have visited two times after isolating and getting tested. It was great to see them but they can't be doing that all of the time. My son and his wife would need to fly here so I won't allow that. I will not put him and his wife at risk by flying.

I agree, even a brief trip to the grocery store would be some relief. I hate having my produce and meat selected by shoppers. When I mentioned that to the friend I mentioned he practically went ballistic saying I should not do that, so that of course influences my husband.

It does have an effect on a person, mentally. I may survive Covid but in the process, I may go stark, raving, mad. I have no desire to decorate for Christmas, that would just depress me more by reminding me that we will see no one. We have a two-story foyer and I always love the garlands on the rails so my son made my husband promise to put them up. I know he meant well but it really does not matter to me.

Finding out this week that we post-transplant patients will not be able to get the vaccine really put a damper on everything.
JK

@contentandwell. What a beautiful house you have! I live in a very small condo. My guy friend had only been out of his house twice since March, once to get his flu shot and once to the dentist. He said he was traumatized both times! His daughter is a nurse in NYC and worked with covid patients, she told him all the horror stories so he's refusing to leave the house. He's having his grocery delivered too. Ralphs offers $79 a year for delivery. He's a major introvert anyway so he's ok with being by himself. My daughter said her neighbor has parties all the time, she doesn't know who to complain to because the neighbor is the Mayor of the city! Even though my son only lives a mile away, he does have to go into the office once a week so he is super cautious about coming over. My daughter and her husband are driving up to their second home in Portland, just a change of scenery and they'll work in their home there. They take all precautions in their travel. I think it's like feast or famine as far as isolation is concern. We just have to be safe. There's no second chance with this virus.

@estrada53 We haven't done that. I wanted to go to a town about 10 miles away to get our outdoor wreaths but my husband couldn't see the need for that so we went to a place very close by.

I don't like to go far because I have urinary incontinence and I sure do not want to be using public restrooms. It would be nice to take a drive to the coast but that's an hour each way and when we got there we would of course get out of the car so that would definitely be out.
The walking trail I was using is about 7 miles away or so and goes through a wooded area and was my outlet. Now that it has snow on it and we haven't had enough warm weather to melt it I can't go there. I do talk to my sister and a couple of friends frequently.

Thanks for the suggestions.
JK