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What are transplant patients doing for Christmas and New Year's?

Posted by blbird33 @blbird33, Dec 12, 2023

What are Kidney Transplant members doing for Christmas and New Year's this year? Last year I mostly isolated to protect from Covid and it was very lonely, but I was recovering too. This year I still wear a mask around lots of people and people I do not know, but around family, I relax once I know they are not sick. I will be around the daughters this year safely. Still struggling with Tacro anxiety in mornings and tell daughters my new limitations but we will be together and be as happy as we can be. And grateful. blessings, BB

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Dec 14, 2023

@blbird33 How wonderful you will be able to share holiday time with your family! It can be unsettling as we adjust to a new style of life, especially after such a dramatic thing like a transplant.

My husband is 7 + years out from his kidney transplant. I am on daily dialysis. We are planning a quiet holiday season as far as gatherings go. We have two things to attend, one this Saturday, then another on Monday 12/18. Family is not nearby, and that is okay by me to have quiet time!
Ginger

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1 reply
blbird33 | @blbird33 | Dec 15, 2023
In reply to @gingerw "@blbird33 How wonderful you will be able to share holiday time with your family! It can..." + (show)
@gingerw

@blbird33 How wonderful you will be able to share holiday time with your family! It can be unsettling as we adjust to a new style of life, especially after such a dramatic thing like a transplant.

My husband is 7 + years out from his kidney transplant. I am on daily dialysis. We are planning a quiet holiday season as far as gatherings go. We have two things to attend, one this Saturday, then another on Monday 12/18. Family is not nearby, and that is okay by me to have quiet time!
Ginger

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Ginger, thank you for your response. I am having a relatively quiet time too. Going to see my daughter and grandson for two days and then coming home to be with friends where I live. It can be quite noisy and very busy at my daughter's so I relish seeing them and then quiet. This is a difficult time for me and others and I pray for peace and fellowship and joy for you and others. Happy Holidays and peace to you and your family. Take good care of yourself, BB

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Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Dec 15, 2023

My transplant was 18 years ago. It was a pancreas transplant 11/30/2005 (shortly after Thanksgiving). I experienced some sort of complication (fever & infection?) and was readmitted to the hospital in December. They did not think it was rejection but wanted to keep me there for monitoring and care. That year I thought I might spend the entire holiday season in the hospital. Thank God I was discharged on Christmas Eve! When I got home I found that my daughters had decorated and were baking Christmas cookies. We had frozen pizza for dinner. On Christmas Day my girls made Christmas dinner. That was a long time ago but the transplant was my personal miracle of a lifetime. My doctor had told me I needed a transplant or might not live to see my girls graduate high school. They graduated high school & college, got married & produced my 6 grandchildren. I am so blessed! Ever since we have gotten together in one of our homes (as many of us as possible) in one way or another to spend time together; share a meal, treats / goodies and gifts. This is how we celebrate God’s gift to us, Jesus’ birthday.

REPLY
1 reply
blbird33 | @blbird33 | Dec 17, 2023
In reply to @cehunt57 "My transplant was 18 years ago. It was a pancreas transplant 11/30/2005 (shortly after Thanksgiving). I..." + (show)
@cehunt57

My transplant was 18 years ago. It was a pancreas transplant 11/30/2005 (shortly after Thanksgiving). I experienced some sort of complication (fever & infection?) and was readmitted to the hospital in December. They did not think it was rejection but wanted to keep me there for monitoring and care. That year I thought I might spend the entire holiday season in the hospital. Thank God I was discharged on Christmas Eve! When I got home I found that my daughters had decorated and were baking Christmas cookies. We had frozen pizza for dinner. On Christmas Day my girls made Christmas dinner. That was a long time ago but the transplant was my personal miracle of a lifetime. My doctor had told me I needed a transplant or might not live to see my girls graduate high school. They graduated high school & college, got married & produced my 6 grandchildren. I am so blessed! Ever since we have gotten together in one of our homes (as many of us as possible) in one way or another to spend time together; share a meal, treats / goodies and gifts. This is how we celebrate God’s gift to us, Jesus’ birthday.

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Yes, God is at the center of my holiday as God saved my life. I am a new different me and I still pray with gratitude for a smooth joyous life even with the Tacro issues. I get anxiety and I pray that this side effect is lifted from my body and my life as I recover. I remain grateful and thank you for your response. Blessings, BB

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stephanierp | @stephanierp | Dec 19, 2023

I am 4 years post kidney transplant. We will spend the holidays with family. Christmas eve dinner with extended family of over 20 and Christmas day with immediate family. I am so grateful for my extended life, and love spending time with loved ones in celebration of this miracle. I respect my 6' distancing, and thus far, have had no issues with illness. I carry a mask with me to wear, if I feel compromised or I leave. I know everyone is different.

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