Transplant: No or Few Antibodies after COVID Vaccination

Hey @hello1234, I have eaten at outdoor restaurant settings, where there is spaced out tables and, even if covered, still good air flow. However, I will still not eat at an indoor setting. I did, however, go to an indoor concert recently and I’m going to a dance concert Saturday 💃🏼. Both venues required vaccination cards or neg test proof, and masks.

I will go to my vaccinated friends’, small Thanksgiving gathering this year.

I have to start my job on Monday, however, and return to in person work for the first time in more than 1.5 years. This I’m definitely quite nervous about as the city hall is an older building full of people I don’t know and will be working in close contact with on a daily basis. 😷

In sum, I think there are positive mental advantages to going to a limited number of outings, masked. Although, since Florida’s Governor probably does not allow vaccination proof requirements, I would be extra careful. For me, I trust my friends to know my risks, so if they have concerns about any exposure to Covid they would let me know. And, I wouldn’t gather with them.

Hi all,
If you are a transplant patient and have no antibodies from the vaccine, are you planning on spending Thanksgiving dinner with your vaccinated family and friends? Also, has anyone attempted eating out with vaccinated friends at an off hour? I am weighing the idea of coming out of my bubble a little since the Florida numbers have appeared to improve a little (and knowing this disease will be in our lives for a long time). I am hopeful about the Merck antiviral pill and other treatments coming down the pike but how long are you waiting to be social? Unfortunately, Thanksgiving and going to a restaurant would mean no mask while eating and talking. Please let me know what you are thinking?

@hello1234, I have 'had' to be out of my safety zone for the past year+ due to a serious medical emergency/caregiving of a family member. I have practiced all of the CDC safety recommendations, even before we had the vaccine available and with fear and anxiety. Now that I have had all of my Covid19 vaccines, and my flu vaccine, I continue to keep the same safety precautions. I am fortunate that I have not caught Covid or anything else.
As a 12 year transplant recipient, I had already learned that I have to distance, avoid people who are sick, wash hands for my own health. I think that must have helped me to be cautious during holiday celebrations, even before the Covid19 era. And my close family/friends are super vigilant about watching out for my needs.

As for restaurants, I have a 'safe' restaurant where I am comfortable. It was where my son was a GM before his serious accident/spinal cord injury last fall. I was comfortable going there because he wrote the guidelines for re-opening after the Covid closure. We choose to go at the uncrowded times - aka 'old timers hours' - between 3;'00- 5:00. This works well for any restaurant that you are comfortable with, based on your previous experience.

Only you can decide, but I have thought of some things that I would consider:
Do you know where your family will be dining on Thanksgiving? Have you considered doing a trial visit there so you can see first hand if the environment is comfortable to you? Have you thought about calling and speaking to the manager (non mealtime hours) about your concerns? And about seating and spacing?

Are your family members following CDC guidelines? Are the members of your family vaccinated? Do they respect your food, drink, safety needs?

Congrats JK! At least it’s something. So far as I’ve read, I don’t think there’s a known magic number. But, coupled with masking, sanitizing, and being cautious it is probably about the best us transplant people can hope for. Sadly, we need to rely on ourselves mostly, as well as our families, friends, acquaintances, and ultimately society to be vaccinated to protect us. Risk is going to always be a part of the equation no matter where we go, so I’m hoping you can be assured by your antibodies developing so that you can visit your new grandchild!

@athenalee, Congratulations on the start of a new job on Monday. I would not be surprised at all, if there are others who work there who also have immunocompromised health conditions. Hopefully they have already set an example and paved the way for a safer working environment. As a transplant recipient, they might even have questions for you about your particular needs.
Looking ahead, I see some perfect opportunities to share information about the gift of organ transplant.

Thank you Rosemary. Fortunately, for now, anyway masks are required in public buildings. I agree that it does present an opportunity for sharing about organ transplants and donation. My job interviews were with the mayor and two department heads. As I wanted to be transparent about why I left my last position with a municipal entity, I told them about my liver disease and transplant. The mayor said a good friend of hers is a kidney transplant recipient. It resulted in a positive conversation and I even mentioned our culinary arts webinars, So, this is good, as I work directly under her.

I had a severe case of covid one year ago. I had positive antibodies from it. I have gotten them checked every couple of months. I’m getting them done again on Tuesday. I have not gotten vaccinated because of neuropathy issues and religious reasons. My hematologist told me in sept that anything over 80 is considered positive. Their office, which is the largest in my area does not require people to be vaccinated to work there but they must prove every month they are positive for antibodies. So I feel very comfortable with my situation. I know natural immunity isn’t supposed to guard against different strains but I go on with my life and am doing well. I do not put myself in foolish situations though. I had a kidney transplant 7 yrs ago.

I had a severe case of covid one year ago. I had positive antibodies from it. I have gotten them checked every couple of months. I’m getting them done again on Tuesday. I have not gotten vaccinated because of neuropathy issues and religious reasons. My hematologist told me in sept that anything over 80 is considered positive. Their office, which is the largest in my area does not require people to be vaccinated to work there but they must prove every month they are positive for antibodies. So I feel very comfortable with my situation. I know natural immunity isn’t supposed to guard against different strains but I go on with my life and am doing well. I do not put myself in foolish situations though. I had a kidney transplant 7 yrs ago.

Thank you Rosemary. Fortunately, for now, anyway masks are required in public buildings. I agree that it does present an opportunity for sharing about organ transplants and donation. My job interviews were with the mayor and two department heads. As I wanted to be transparent about why I left my last position with a municipal entity, I told them about my liver disease and transplant. The mayor said a good friend of hers is a kidney transplant recipient. It resulted in a positive conversation and I even mentioned our culinary arts webinars, So, this is good, as I work directly under her.

Weee, good luck on Monday, Athena, though you won’t need luck. You’d be a asset to any team! ☺️
Being transparent with your transplant story was a great way to open doors for conversation. It might even help with the masking and avoidance of uncomfortable situations in the future. We shouldn’t have to justify why we push to wear masks or take extra precautions but sometimes it’s just easier.
Of course we’ll all be waiting for a report of the first day. 😉