Tips: How do you ask others to take precautions after your transplant?

Posted by sarahdemare04 @sarahdemare04, Jul 27 5:52pm

@colleenyoung Thank you so much for checking in! He definitely has good days and less than good days, but he seems to be making steady progress. He started taking some Imodium for the diarrhea. It has helped, but he is still sore. Overall, he is doing as well as I could have ever hoped. I think the mental toll it's taking right now is a little much.

He lives with my mom and his former college roommate. And people don't always get how careful they need to be around him with his immune system. If anyone has any tips about that, I would really appreciate it. He just feels like he wants to live his life as normally as possible, but he also does not want to compromise his immune system in any way.

Thanks again for checking in. This has been the most helpful group I have ever been a part of. As a caretaker, it has been an emotional rollercoaster. And this has been a wonderful outlet. Thank you to you, Colleen, and to everyone.

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

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 7 hours ago

@sarahdemare04, how to make other people around you to respect the immunocompromised state post transplant is a good question to ask members here. To do so, I made your question into a new discussion.

@rosemarya @craigcraig @gphetteplace @gingerw @jolinda, what tips would you share with Sarah about informing others about being immunocompromised and what they can and should do to keep you safe?

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 5 hours ago

@sarahdemare04 Many times when someone has a transplant, friends and family are aware of the situation. This is an excellent time to educate everyone on how the patient has to now change the way they interact with people, food products, hygiene, etc. And, it reinforces to the patient just how careful they need to be!

Wearing a mask? Say, "it's for your protection as well as mine!"
Wiping things down with bacterial wipes? Say, "You can't be too careful!"
Offer the information "I went to a lot of trouble to get this transplant. I want it to be as successful as possible! That includes being very careful about germs and such. Thank you for understanding my situation."
Ginger

craigcraig | @craigcraig | 5 hours ago

Hi. Better to be lucky than good but I am 2.5 years in from a full liver transplant and doing pretty well. I have only gotten sick twice. They have reduced my Tac over time and no signs of rejection.

Wore my mask faithfully the first year when out side the house. Some folks still do after years and it serves them well. Case by case. When someone goes to shake my hand I humbly share I am immunocompromised and offer a fist pump. 100% of the time the person is sympathetic and often wants to know more. When at a wedding, party or convention where the meal is buffet style I go to the host and ask if the folks doing the food could make me a plate before it is put out. 100 % of the time they very graciously agree. I have brought the subject up many times when meeting folks and usually get sympathy and conversation and have never gotten a negative reaction. Very best of luck to your father !! Glad he is doing well (---: