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Holidays: Celebration or Challenge for Transplant Families

Posted by Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor @rosemarya, Nov 18, 2022

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.
How will you navigate the holidays? What are your plans?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

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dotygl | @dotygl | 1 day ago
In reply to @craigcraig "@dotygl Hi. I am so sorry for your difficult situation. And sorry things are not going..." + (show)
Profile picture for craigcraig @craigcraig

@dotygl Hi. I am so sorry for your difficult situation. And sorry things are not going well in a number of ways. It is unfortunate that his side effects are causing "a low quality of life". But I am glad you are healthy. It is so hard for caregivers. My wife LOVES to travel but outside one trip for a wedding (and 4 trips to Mayo AZ) there has been nothing since my liver transplant about 2 years ago. It may be just us but as we get older it is harder (and less enjoyable for me) to travel. I am on TAC and 10 other meds (down from 24 post transplant) but we do socialize with a mask when needed. And I am also very glad he is still standing to be with you for 7 years now with his new kidney. Hang in there. Wishing you happy and enjoyable hollidays and the very best in 2026.

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@craigcraig
Thanks for your caring big heart to a total stranger. I am an extrovert, healthy and feel very uncomfortable socializing even with a mask. Where we live, winter is 6 plus months long; so doing things outside like a walk, many people I know cannot do this action so I do a lot alone, it gets old. We both feel like we exist and not live life anymore. WE've had 7 yrs to figure out how to move forward. I've always been a problem solver, but the past 7 yrs has been very difficult on us both and the hospital stay a year ago really was a gut punch on how the medical staff do not truly care about my spouse transplant when we strongly asked for masking of them. I saw how I'll my spouse was for over 4 months , not worth him getting sick again. I often feel like we live in a "Twilight zone' episode b/c our life is so bizarre now. So many friends and family have walked away from us too. Thanks again for writing. I'm out of ideas.

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craigcraig | @craigcraig | 1 day ago

What a difficult road you guys are on. How difficult that must have been for the hospital staff not to mask up and then he got sick afterwards. I am glad you do get out some and I bet the mask helps prevent you from brining back something bad for him. All you can do. I am immunosuppressed on TAC and other stuff and do get out (safely) but I never had to go through what your husband did after his hospital stay. Glad he is better than he was for those four months. You sure are in a difficult season. Maybe 2026 will be a new season and with his continued not having a relapse you guys may be able to (safely) get out more. Prayers up.

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