Need advice about attending a wedding

This advice was given to me 27 years ago at a time when I had to go to a corporate function with my husband.
It served me well as I still do an abbreviated version after all these years.
As far as interaction with people, hugging and kissing - yes, definitely wear a mask but also tell a fib, that you have a cold and prefer to protect people from catching it. That will both give you an excuse to avoid close physical contact but it will also diffuse people asking 1,000 questions about the transplant. Let them focus on the bride, not on you. Wash your hands multiple times through the event. For food, only eat what feels hot to your tongue. No salads, fruit or uncooked foods. No shrimp cocktail lol. For drinks, do not use glasses. Either bottled water or drinks in a can - drink from the bottle or from the can, do not pour in a glass. Get your drinks unopened, YOU open it. Otherwise, just enjoy the event and seeing family and friends with an appreciation for the fact that you got a life extension and will be able to enjoy many more weddings in the years to come.

Hi. I had my liver transplant 18 months ago. Last month flew from Denver to Chicago for a big family wedding. Good advice all from cromme50. My only adds are for the handshake I always offer a fist pump instead. And then go ahead and share about the transplant if it seemed uncomfortable to the person (which was rare). It brought out a number of really nice conversations with the folks who really seemed to care. A few months back after my 1st year call with Mayo I specifically confirmed if the buffet rule is still in effect and was for life. I knew it was but wishful thinking. Mayo was a little concerned that I would even think such a thing and reconfirmed no buffets is for life. My wife (who is not shy) will clear with the hosts first and then go to the folks preparing the food to have a plate made for me before it is put out to the public. Always is fine with the hosts and worked. Either that or just skip the eating and enjoy the conversation at the table. Again sharing my not eating was due to the transplant. Again sharing that got 100% well wishes and was actually a good conversation starter among the folks we did not know. Enjoy the wedding ! Congrats on 15 months !!

Hi-I’m a heart double lung transplant from April 2021. Great advice from the others. I have followed many of their suggestions-fist bumps, have a ‘cold’, etc depending on the situation. I love the fixed plate-hadn’t thought of that. I usually eat before the event so I am not hungry. Even if it’s a Pb&J sandwich and banana I pack in the car. It fills me up enough that I’m not hungry and tempted to eat. And I believe the cake should be okay to eat-the best part!!

I had a double lung transplant. When it is a buffet, I usually forego the buffet and eat some where else telling them that due to the meds I am on, I have a time schedule of when I can eat (some what true).

I would go I’m over 21/2 post and never wore a mask eat the buffet enjoy life again that’s why you got a transplant being paranoid the rest of your life isn’t living I swam over 23 miles last month and I’m 65 , Try enjoying life again I sure am

@pgruetz - I would be so nervous about going about the way you are discussing. I have had E.coli from eating a salad out and was in the hospital for a few days for that. I have caught COVID again and wound up in the hospital. I also have what they call chronic rejection. So it does pay to be play it a bit safe.

Good morning from Canada
I always wear a mask. I had my liver transplant during covid so I'm used to masking up so I just mask up all the time. I carry hand sanitizer in my purse. And if it's somebody that I don't know it's elbows. I don't even do the fist pump anymore. It's all elbows and to be honest with you, the only people I hug are immediate family that I know are vaccinated and I have some friends and family that don't believe in vaccination and I don't hug them. I just wave from afar. I just celebrated my fifth transfer sury and had an excellent, excellent review and my doctor said whatever you're doing and have been doing for the last 5 years. Keep it up. You are doing amazing. So welcome to the group. Stay strong and as we in Canada like to say now elbows up literally and figuratively. 💪🇨🇦🍁

@chickytina I was a plumbing contractor for over 45 years you don’t think I encountered dangerous issues every single day my whole career was toxic a buffet is the least of my worries, I’d crawl through dead animals feces black widow’s you name it no safety gear back then nobody did, I’m probably more immune to many things than most people and I never got the shot either and never was sick, at 65 I still work and was under a house this week, everyone is different, and I’ll swim a mile later today

I agree with both chickytina and pgrutez both ! Tina I think you are very smart to be careful. Both wise in general and for your specific situation. And Pgrutez. Ya know my wife taught preschool for over 20 years and she built up an immunity big time working with the kids every day. Not as bad as your challenges but she rarely gets anything. I am somewhere in the middle. Above average immunity for a transplant person despite the TAC. And about average for a transplant person on the safety. But I think it is good for most folks to play it very safe with our new livers , kidneys or lungs. Very glad both of you are doing well with what you are doing ! (---:

@cromme50 Thanks so much for replying. There will be no need to fib. My family is aware that I have had a transplant. I hadn’t thought about the drinks, thanks for bringing that up.