1. < Transplants

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.

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JK | @contentandwell | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "@contentandwell. What a beautiful house you have! I live in a very small condo. My guy..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

@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.

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@mayofeb2020 Thanks. Homes in NH are much less costly than in MA and many other areas. We really do need to downsize now but I still want room for when my son and daughter visit since they both live away, she in NYC and he in Denver. I can't keep up with cleaning this house though. We did have someone come in to clean every other week but my husband is not OK with that at all.

People having parties are crazy. Your son is considerate to be so cautious. It's such a difficult and miserable situation. I really feel bad for people who live alone, that must be even worse, although I am the type who could probably do it very happily -- no having to cook regular meals!
JK

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1 reply
jolinda | @jolinda | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@mayofeb2020 My husband was less so initially but we have a close friend who is an..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@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

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Like everyone else I was disappointed by the news that transplant patients were not yet approved to receive the vaccine, this was especially shocking because the news was the opposite up until now. I feel like I'm in the movie Groundhog's Day where you repeat everyday over and over... for me that is right down to the sweat pants.

My husband has been VERY protective of me during this time, I think he is still pretty traumatized by how sick I was before transplant and wants to make sure nothing like that happens to me again. I am happy that the vaccine is Messenger RNA and not a live vaccine so at least he can get the shots and one of us can be safe.

Until we are approved for the vaccine I'm determined to keep my beautiful kidney safe at any cost. I'm am beyond blessed to have gotten this second chance at life from my living donor!!! I feel like I've been able to make it this far and trading a few more months in isolation for a chance at long life is a small price to pay.

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1 reply
jolinda | @jolinda | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @danab "@zon Hi and thanks for the info on the Vaccine. Interesting I saw a video recently..." + (show)
@danab

@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.

https://youtu.be/Tq8SXOBy-4w

Have a blessed Day
Dana

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Dana,
Thank you for sharing this video, very meaningful!
@jolinda

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JK | @contentandwell | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @jolinda "Like everyone else I was disappointed by the news that transplant patients were not yet approved..." + (show)
@jolinda

Like everyone else I was disappointed by the news that transplant patients were not yet approved to receive the vaccine, this was especially shocking because the news was the opposite up until now. I feel like I'm in the movie Groundhog's Day where you repeat everyday over and over... for me that is right down to the sweat pants.

My husband has been VERY protective of me during this time, I think he is still pretty traumatized by how sick I was before transplant and wants to make sure nothing like that happens to me again. I am happy that the vaccine is Messenger RNA and not a live vaccine so at least he can get the shots and one of us can be safe.

Until we are approved for the vaccine I'm determined to keep my beautiful kidney safe at any cost. I'm am beyond blessed to have gotten this second chance at life from my living donor!!! I feel like I've been able to make it this far and trading a few more months in isolation for a chance at long life is a small price to pay.

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@jolinda I agree, a few months is a small price to pay but by the time we are able to get the vaccine, if ever, it will be well over a year. From the looks of your picture I think I am considerably older than you are so this is taking a year+ out of how many years I have remaining.
At the beginning of this, I was very aware of just how serious this was and I remember saying I wondered if I would ever get to see my son again. It seems to be more and more of a possibility that I may not.
JK

REPLY
mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@mayofeb2020 Thanks. Homes in NH are much less costly than in MA and many other areas...." + (show)
@contentandwell

@mayofeb2020 Thanks. Homes in NH are much less costly than in MA and many other areas. We really do need to downsize now but I still want room for when my son and daughter visit since they both live away, she in NYC and he in Denver. I can't keep up with cleaning this house though. We did have someone come in to clean every other week but my husband is not OK with that at all.

People having parties are crazy. Your son is considerate to be so cautious. It's such a difficult and miserable situation. I really feel bad for people who live alone, that must be even worse, although I am the type who could probably do it very happily -- no having to cook regular meals!
JK

Jump to this post

You are so right. Some days I'm in my warm flannel pj all day. Some of my friends who live alone do the same thing. My children who work at home wear dressy tops and sweat pants if they have to be on zoom!

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "You are so right. Some days I'm in my warm flannel pj all day. Some of..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

You are so right. Some days I'm in my warm flannel pj all day. Some of my friends who live alone do the same thing. My children who work at home wear dressy tops and sweat pants if they have to be on zoom!

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@mayofeb2020 When my daughter visited us for an extended amount of time in the summer I saw her getting all made up one day. I was sort of surprised but it turned out to be because she had an important meeting online.

I think everyone who has to zoom wears nicer things on top than below. I've seen things with people who thought they wouldn't be seen who had no pants on!
JK

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Charlie | @ca426 | Dec 13, 2020

I've seen a lot about the vaccine and COVID , and would like to toss a few things out there. First, I'm a four time kidney transplant, I got the virus in March and just had a cough, it surely could have been a lot worse but than so can a bad pneumonia, I have not changed the way I do things, except for the mask wearing indoors. I'm always careful when I go places, always have been and regardless of what they say, virus's are sometimes unavoidable, since I have had it and am producing antibodies, I will not get a vaccine, now I want to say we are responsible for ourselves and should make our own decisions about what's right for you, we can be careful and live without fear.....now if your a brand new transplant patient, your at a higher risk than almost a one out there, so you need to limit your public involvement to a bare minimum, in conclusion stay vigilant, live wisely and not out of fear, ( we are His workmanship) Eph.2:10, God Bless Merry Christmas

REPLY
1 reply
alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Dec 13, 2020
In reply to @ca426 "I've seen a lot about the vaccine and COVID , and would like to toss a..." + (show)
@ca426

I've seen a lot about the vaccine and COVID , and would like to toss a few things out there. First, I'm a four time kidney transplant, I got the virus in March and just had a cough, it surely could have been a lot worse but than so can a bad pneumonia, I have not changed the way I do things, except for the mask wearing indoors. I'm always careful when I go places, always have been and regardless of what they say, virus's are sometimes unavoidable, since I have had it and am producing antibodies, I will not get a vaccine, now I want to say we are responsible for ourselves and should make our own decisions about what's right for you, we can be careful and live without fear.....now if your a brand new transplant patient, your at a higher risk than almost a one out there, so you need to limit your public involvement to a bare minimum, in conclusion stay vigilant, live wisely and not out of fear, ( we are His workmanship) Eph.2:10, God Bless Merry Christmas

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@ca426 This is so well written. Thank you for your wise words. I too had COVID--much like yours--a little worse. I'd like t to know how long immunity to the virus lasts. Will be doing some reading about that. I may wait for the vaccine until more is known of its possible side effects.

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almula | @almula | Dec 14, 2020

dear all I am liver transplants guy ..I like to know if the vaccine will be ok for us or we should wait ...please advice..

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3 replies
scottij | @scottij | Dec 14, 2020
In reply to @almula "dear all I am liver transplants guy ..I like to know if the vaccine will be..." + (show)
@almula

dear all I am liver transplants guy ..I like to know if the vaccine will be ok for us or we should wait ...please advice..

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My advice is to not come here for medical advice. Please contact a medical professional and avoid our "amateur hour"

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