COVID-19 and Transplant Patients
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.
@ginger, Will be keeping my fingers crossed that he get hoped for results from his doc visit tomorrow. Impressive that your love is a designer of equipment. Hope all goes well for him with the on-site testing as well. Our county has over 350 active virus cases and over 30 deaths. Not sure of the county pop. but our city has over 200,000 residents and we are the largest city in the county. The spread has been rapid here and we are told the peak is still to come.
@joyces, It is so heartwarming to read what your area, state and region are doing and how people for the most part are following the guidelines set out while continuing to be helpful and generous to others.
Wish there was more national good news publicity like this because I believe it would boost morale for everyone while demonstrating how a unified effort by all can accomplish our shared goal of bringing this silent killer to heel. Sincerest thanks for sharing this.
Thank you so much @wildcat for your comforting and encouraging post. It is good news indeed that a whopping 95% of our Scotland friends are accepting and following lockdown restrictions!
I so agree that each of needs to do what we can to stay safe and healthy. Athough Connect members have all sorts of differing and varying degrees of chronic health issues, this is the group I can count on for being united and supportive in our efforts to stay well and helpful.
@mayofeb2020 If we look back at history, that is exactly what happened in Philadelphia, they did too much too soon and a terrible outbreak occurred. The people who are demonstrating to reopen everything are being very short-sighted.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/flu-epidemic-hits-philadelphia
JK
I believe peoples actions/reactions to COVID-19 are a direct reflection of their mental state and accumulated life experiences. On one hand, many families were devastated by the 2008 recession and it took a heavy toll: marriages crumbled, college funds were wiped out, homes lost, dreams dashed, mental stability shaken. When I look at the protesters through this lens I have compassion for their fragility and desire to change their perceived outcomes. On the other hand I am a transplant patient and came way too close to dying to risk my health. I think both sides are protecting themselves in the best way they can think of.
@jolinda I couldn't agree with you more. I am very conflicted on this. I lost my job in 2009 when the company I worked for closed because of the recession. The stress of those times were extremely difficult. We have thankfully rebounded financially after several difficult years. (We certainly aren't wealthy by any means but our bills are paid and we have a small savings) I truly understand wanting the economy open. I also care for my father (heart transplant) and know the health risk for him and the need to protect his life (and others!) At this point, I continue to work, social distancing and avoid any extra unnecessary outings while still caring for my father. It is difficult to balance the economic and the physical health of the country. I am glad I do not have to make the decision on this. No matter what people are going to be upset.
Such good points, @jolinda and @fatherscaregiver. You may also wish to add these sage thoughts to this discussion:
– COVID-19 Concerns: How do you help others understand? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-make-them-understand/
Easing back to a new normal will not be a mere flip of a switch to the pre-COVID days.
Hi, @jeffdavis0617 I haven't had a transplant but with several serious chronic health issues and older to boot, I am going to take re-entry into the world-at-large very slowly. The price is too high for me to do otherwise. Discouraging to contemplate that it may be much longer than I'd first thought and hoped but maybe just continuing to take each day at a time will make it doable for the longer run? Best to you.
@jeffdavis0617 Welcome to Mayo Connect. I hope you will find us to be a helpful group in navigating the world during and after this pandemic. There is a fairly large and active community of people living with transplants in the group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/ who discuss many of the challenges they face. They have an ongoing discussion about precautions they are taking in this discussion: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-in-transplant-patients/
I hope you find the information helpful.
Sue
I am 13 1/2 years out on my transplant. Being immunosuppressed, am I going to have to wait until there is a vaccine before I am able to socialize again?
Hi @jeffdavis0617, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You'll notice that I moved your question to this existing discussion called "COVID-19 and Transplant Patients". I did this so that you can easily meet other kidney transplant recipients like @jolinda @rosemarya @dshaver @cmael and many more.
Jeff, you ask a great question – Being immunosuppressed, am I going to have to wait until there is a vaccine before I am able to socialize again?
Many in this forum are grappling with the same question and listening attentively to the evolving developments. The short answer is that no one knows yet. The latest news seems to indicate that people, especially those who are immunosuppressed, will have to keep up some form of social distancing until a vaccine is found. What socializing might we consider safe in a month from now? What safety measures are you still practising?
@jeffdavis0617
Hi Jeff!
Congrats on keeping you transplant healthy for so long, that's an awesome accomplishment! It's good to have you here where you can socialize freely with a 0% chance of contracting COVID-19. We are all asking the same questions and wondering when we can return to normal. As for me, the risk of going out hasn't outweighed the reward but I am getting antsy. How are you coping? Are you staying in? Working from home? Binge watching Netflix?