Holidays: Celebration or Challenge for Transplant Families

@rosemarya thank you have a Merry Christmas and stay healthy we all stick together sharing our experiences and it’s a life changing road and I love that this forum exists for future patients to learn about our journey

@danab
This is a great suggestion! I am so happy that you have such thoughtful friends and family that are willing to accommodate your adaptations.
I wish for you and your family to enjoy a Blessed Christmas and a Healthy New Year!

@pgruetz
I'm sure that was a difficult decision for you to decline the holiday event at your mother's home. For us transplant recipients, it is something that we learn to do. We learn to be selective because we understand the consequences connected with getting sick.

I'm ready to celebrate my 16th Christmas with my Liver/Kidney transplant. I remain vigilant, and like you, have declined invitations that I really would have enjoyed attending. However, I am healthy and happy to be alive, even with our smaller events!

Today I'm preparing some special recipes for Christmas with my husband one of our sons. And tomorrow we will attend Mass together. I usually have a special seat near the piano/organ and away from the congregation, however I'm taking some time off and not playing my violin. I will sit with my guys in a regular pew. I am a bit nervous because of the Christmas crowd, but I will wear my mask, choose a seat on the aisle, and be ready to move to a space in a doorway if I feel the need.

I hope that you enjoy a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!

@rosemarya One advice I can offer is remember about germs and Buffets. Typically in large groups its like a buffet as bowls get passed around. I recommend asking the host to put a plate aside with the items you want ahead of time and then grab it as everyone else sits down to eat. Helps keep those little hands that ultimately get into the food as its passed around. At first it bothered me to ask but after I explained it has become the standard that I'm asked what I want first.

Merry Christmas 🎁 during this holiday my 94 year old mother has a event at her house she has 27 grandchildren which half of them are usually sick but the parents still bring them so all together around 40 people in a small living room and my choice for my health is I stay home unfortunately, last Christmas I was in ICU for a few days and I visited my mom after Christmas and discovered she was deathly sick from her party and immediately taken to the hospital, see I was right, couldn’t watch her because I was recovering from a major surgery from a hernia repair more fun . I d say if you have a small family your good mine is very large 38 stockings on the mantle. Again Merry Christmas and stay safe

Transplant Recipients _I want to bring this discussion to your attention because it contains a wealth of helpful tips by transplant patients which can help you and your loved ones enjoy the Holiday celebrations -
Holiday celebrations and festivities can be a challenge for transplant patients and their families. The twinkling lights and music are everywhere enticing us to get out to shop and celebrate. Soon, we will be receiving invitations to family and social gatherings with all of the special foods and beverages. It is no wonder that some of us approach the holidays with trepidation about a season that is supposed to bring joy and cheer.

What are your plans?
Are a new transplant recipient - What questions do you have about celebrating the Holidays with family and friends?
Are an experienced transplant recipient - How will you navigate the Holidays?

Thank you very much @jackiez.
I'll take your wishes for good luck to cover both my kidney journey and my anticipated travel journey. 😊💕

@my44 so glad this was helpful. Good luck in your journey!

Hi @jackiez.
Thank you for your response. It definitely does help, and I accept and embrace everything you said.
In addition to the great advice you gave me in your earlier post, my main takeaways from what you mentioned in this post are: I need to get past my apprehensions, weigh the risks vs rewards, control what I can, and choose to live a full life. I will definitely follow that advice.
But my biggest takeaway from what you said is: “My transplant influences me but it doesn’t define me.” And I plan to adopt that attitude and remind myself of it every day.
I also like your transplant coordinator’s advice to “go for it.” And when I’m ready to travel, I’ll check with my transplant coordinator and, hopefully, she will give me that same reassurance and encouragement,
Thanks, again, @jackiez, you have been a tremendous help and inspiration to me.

@my44 everything has a risk associated with it. I try to weigh the risk/reward when I choose to fly, go out to eat, etc. I control what I can. But you are right, you might be seated next to someone who has a cough or cold. That was my worst fear. And yes, I was apprehensive when I flew. We make a hundred choices every day that impacts our health-what we put in our mouth, who we see, what we do. My transplant influences me but it doesn’t define me. I still make choices to live a full life-everyone has a different definition of what that is.

I did ask my transplant coordinator about air travel as I have a work reward trip that I need to attend outside the US - she told me to ‘go for it’. I will ask again closer to the trip and take into account their recommendation too.

I hope this helps. It is a personal choice. And it’s a tricky one.