COVID-19 and Transplant Patients

Thank you for sharing. I’m glad it was ok. I get the first shot at Lahey on Wednesday. I’m a bit nervous as I have a two hour drive home. But I’m excited to be getting it as I wouldn’t be eligible in Vermont until probably late spring. I’ll be curious to hear how your second shot goes.

@athenalee, I got my first shot Friday in Lexington KY at the regional location at the UK football arena. It was a 45 minute drive and I went alone. My only problem was that I made a wrong turn and parked in a lot that was on the opposite side of the stadium! But the weather was clear, and no precipitation in sight so it was an enjoyable walk to the vaccination area.

The process was well organized and I felt safe because of the safe distancing and adherence to safe protocols by the staff, volunteers, and those in line. I received the Pfizer vaccine.

I was concerned about how I would feel afterwards because I wanted to visit with my son who is currently homebound and recovering from a serious injury. and - I felt fine and was able to enjoy a visit with him, and even picked up his RX for him. I developed a sore arm, much like any other vaccination response that evening. It did not interfere with sleep as I had feared. Next day (yesterday) I felt limp, nothing specific, just not 100% my normal. I treated myself to a nap. My temperature was slightly elevated later in the day. I took only 1 reg tylenol for a slight nagging headache.
This morning, I feel normal.
Be safe on the road.

Thank you for sharing! Helps to build confidence!

@athenalee If you are really concerned about that long drive maybe you should bring a little overnight bag just in case you feel the need to stop somewhere and spend the night. I know there are many places to stay close to Lahey, I suspect there are too, along the way. The major hotel chains are supposedly doing a very good job at sanitizing rooms too. It would probably give you some peace of mind to know you had that option as a backup.

I would suggest bringing someone with you to drive if necessary but these days no one wants to be in close proximity of a car's interior, so that would be tough.

Which shot did you get at Lahey? I am thinking the hospitals, etc., are probably doing Pfizer since they would be able to have the necessary equipment to keep it cold, whereas the makeshift sites would need to have Moderna.
JK

Thanks JK. I do hope to have a trusted friend take me (he got his second shot and is tested regularly). But, if not I’ll take your advice and pack an overnight bag. Not sure what vaccine I’ll get, but will let you know.

Today, my wife Susie and I will receive our second dose of Moderna vaccine. With Susie's immunosuppressive drugs post-kidney transplant, we have been super careful. We take drives around Los Angeles, but that's about it. Every time we pass a Marshall's, she about jumps out of the car! We're thinking she'll need to be masked up for a long time. It's our one year anniversary of her kidney transplant and my living kidney donation. We should be back at Mayo Rochester for the annual visit, but, alas, we can't travel! Better to be safe!

I am now almost 9 months post Autologous Stem Cell Transplant. (Bone Marrow Transplant). The Covid Pandemic has made me be extra viligent as well. My husband still works, but wears a mask as do his coworkers. He also runs most errands. I drive myself to local doctor visits, and take our puppy to the Vet. The Vet's office staff come out to the car, pick up the puppy, and bring him back to me. The Vet comes out to talk to me, if needed. Wow! What changes we have experienced this past year! I even order groceries online now, and pick them up curbside! I keep masks and hand sanitizer on hand at all times. I stay home as much as possible. We rarely have visitors except occasional close family. My husband and I did splurge at Thanksgiving, and ate out, but arrived at 10:30 am, lunch at 11, and no crowd. Social distancing and all staff wore masks. We even cancelled our big family Christmas, because local covid #'s were so high! We visited individually for short times. This broke my heart as well. My daughter says I now have a Social phobia. I told her it is a germ phobia! 🦠 But sadly we have lost many acquaintances to Covid, and I am really sad about it. Several have been previous coworkers of mine, and our Granddaughter lost her maternal Grandmother and Step Grandfather. We also lost the gentleman who did our landscaping, and one of my fellow nursing school friends lost her husband recently. So, yes, I take it very seriously! I have several close friends who work directly with Covid patients in the ICU. One is a nurse, and one a respiratory therapist. I can feel their brokenheartedness and the trauma they have faced this past year and are still facing. It has affected them, and continues to affect them deeply! I pray for all of us to make it through this scary, trying time.
My state has me in the 3rd group (1c), to be eligible for the Covid Vaccines, and my husband is 64, but can take them as my caregiver, at that time. They are still in group 1a now, and have just added Teachers and school staff grades K-12, to group 1a, so it will be a while before we can take it. So I stay home!
I have had 2 rounds of my re-vaccinations, (all childhood vaccines), since transplant. 7 shots the 1st time, and 6 the 2nd! It takes 2 years to get them all!
Cooking, when I have the energy, is one of my favorite hobbies, as my bathroom scale can attest. I am on several online support groups for Multiple Myeloma. These help tremendously! I talk, text, and facetime family and friends regularly. I also see a psychologist, who is very helpful! I guess I am feeling as good as can be expected. I still tire easily, andnap often. So much to grasp, this new normal.

@lisal64 I think all of us who are post-transplant have become extra vigilant. We too have our groceries delivered or do curbside pickup, have not socialized at all except with my daughter and her husband who isolate and then get tested before coming here.

My son wants very much to visit but my transplant team suggests we put that off for a while longer, until more people have been vaccinated. He has gotten the vaccine but he would have to fly here so there is potential exposure, plus his wife is a nurse so that is also potential exposure. He tells me I can't live in a bubble forever but I think he's going to have to wait a bit longer, which truly breaks my heart. We haven't seen him in over a year.

The good news is that yesterday on the news they are saying we could reach "herd immunity" by summer since the J&J vaccine will increase the number of people vaccinated by then. Between the vaccine and people who have had Covid, there should be many immune people out there. I hope as time goes on and people see that the vaccine is not an intrusive thing, more will choose to get it. Many young people think if they did catch Covid it would be mild but I know a man who is about 43 and in the hospital right now from side-effects. It can happen at any age.
JK

@contentandwell. I agree with you 100%. When covid started last year, many of us thought it would be here a few months, but surprise! we're still under seige. Everyone in my family except my daughter in law has been vaccinated. Starting March 15, supposedly, those under 65 with special health conditions can get the vaccine. She falls into that catagory so hopefully she will get it. This is so stressful and depressing.