Specific Information about COVID-19 for Transplant Patients

Mar 26, 2020 | Kristin Eggebraaten | @keggebraaten | Comments (27)

As COVID-19 spreads across the country, we know that this time is more stressful for transplant recipients than others. After all, your transplant centers have been telling you for years that you are at a higher risk for illness and infection and you should avoid contact with anyone who is ill. Now the entire world is learning what you’ve already become an expert at doing – social distancing. At every Mayo Clinic we have staff working around the clock to help stop the spread and to treat those who’ve become ill. We will continue to do everything we can for our patients and for those around the world that need our expertise and resources.03-26-20 COVID19 Post

As you can imagine, our inboxes and phone lines are filling every day with our patients wondering how to stay safe. Mayo Clinic’s providers, even those in transplant, are following CDC guidelines for protections for our patients. This article, posted on the Mayo Clinic web page, can help you learn and share the correct information for patients who are at high risk at this time. Some of the bullet points from this article are:

  • Take precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
  • Make sure you have enough supplies.
  • Have a plan in case you get sick or your caregiver gets sick.

Details about these topics and more can be found on our web page. Other trusted sources of information include:

Mayo Clinic COVID-19 Q&A Podcast with Dr. Gregory Poland

Mayo Clinic Appointment Guidance during COVID-19

COVID-19 News and Resources – Mayo Clinic News Network

CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19) Web Page

Mayo Clinic’s priority right now is the health of you and your family. The changes we and other hospitals are making are temporary to protect our patients and our staff so that we can continue to offer the best care. We hope that you understand the changes happening around you, and we want you to know that you can look to us for guidance in the coming weeks.

If you have any specific tips for others during this time about how to stay busy and content at home, please share below!

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Transplant blog.

@colleenyoung

@ebrahim I hope you will be able to continue with your medical studies and practice medicine. Your experience as a kidney transplant recipient will certainly add to your understanding of the patient experience. I'd like you to meet fellow member @dfenderso, who is a transplant patient and a nurse practitioner.

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Will that's true .. my experience with disease and transplant had a huge influence on my personality ...made me stronger and able to make other patients feel stronger ..I have a friend here who had a kidney transplant too ...she calls me if she need advice before her doctor ..thank you for your interest ..all the love for you 💚 💚

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@contentandwell

@ebrahim I am sure your English skills will improve greatly the more you use English. They are excellent now I think. On a side note, my transplant surgeon is from Syria and although I often have trouble understanding accents, I have never had a problem at all understanding him, he's very clear. I think he's been in the United States for about 20 years probably.
JK

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@contentandwell I have so many Sentences in my head and these are what I could express 😂 😂 many syrian doctors are working in America and Europe ..but I think it wouldn't take that much for me because we watch many American movies nowadays 😄

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@ebrahim, I am happy that you and your friend to have each other for support. I joined Connect because I was looking for others like me, who had received transplants, too. I want to invite you and your friend to the following Discussion Groups on Mayo Connect where others are sharing their experiences and asking questions.
Groups > Transplants > Discussions
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/
Groups > Kidney & Bladder > Discussions
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/kidney-conditions/

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@rosemarya

@ebrahim, I am happy that you and your friend to have each other for support. I joined Connect because I was looking for others like me, who had received transplants, too. I want to invite you and your friend to the following Discussion Groups on Mayo Connect where others are sharing their experiences and asking questions.
Groups > Transplants > Discussions
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/
Groups > Kidney & Bladder > Discussions
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/kidney-conditions/

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@rosemarya sure I can help you in Multiple ways but I need to know who answers to these questions ? Is there a doctor for every group or specialist ? or just emotional support

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@ebrahim

@rosemarya sure I can help you in Multiple ways but I need to know who answers to these questions ? Is there a doctor for every group or specialist ? or just emotional support

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@ebrahim, My intention was to inform you about the active discussion groups that are occuring on Mayo Connect. Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community that connects people.. Where they can ask questions, get answers, connect with other who are like themselves. In the discussions we, the patients share our experiences to support and encourage others along the way. On Connect we are not doctors or medical profesionals - although we have medical professionals who do participate as patients themselves. We do not give medical advice, or offer diagnosis ot treatment. I apologize if I mislead you in my response.

I would like to share with you a 10 minute video interview that will give you a picture of what Connect is all about. Our goal was to capture the importance of the community and how it is valued by the members.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/watch-party-connect-featured-on-mayo-clinic-radio/

Here is the main page for Connect - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/
Here is where you can read about Connect -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/

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@rosemarya

@ebrahim, My intention was to inform you about the active discussion groups that are occuring on Mayo Connect. Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community that connects people.. Where they can ask questions, get answers, connect with other who are like themselves. In the discussions we, the patients share our experiences to support and encourage others along the way. On Connect we are not doctors or medical profesionals - although we have medical professionals who do participate as patients themselves. We do not give medical advice, or offer diagnosis ot treatment. I apologize if I mislead you in my response.

I would like to share with you a 10 minute video interview that will give you a picture of what Connect is all about. Our goal was to capture the importance of the community and how it is valued by the members.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/watch-party-connect-featured-on-mayo-clinic-radio/

Here is the main page for Connect - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/
Here is where you can read about Connect -
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/

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@rosemarya oh thank you such a helpful video ...I was just concerning about the Accuracy of information that members tell each others ...cause in practicing medicine every patient is a unique case ..what Suits one not necessarily suit everyone 😁

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@rosemarya

@ebrahim, Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am a liver and kidney transplant recipient with no medical background. I commend you on your successful transplant and your desire for a medical degree and career. Being so near to your goal, I am sorry that you are faced with this difficult decision.
Might I be so bold as to remind you that you are and always will be a kidney transplant patient. And that is a good thing because of the valuable experience that you will bring from the patient's point of view.
My first thought is for you to have a conversation with your own transplant provider(s) about this.
My second thought is that I wonder if you could investigate whether you can be a doctor who works behind the scene and does not require face-to-face contact.

Here is a link. And I invite you to post your question there. Some other medical providers have similar questions related to their own current situations. They might be able to provide their thoughts.
COVID-19 and Transplant Patients
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/covid-19-in-transplant-patients/

Keep in touch. I look forward to addressing you as "Doctor" someday.

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I'm finding it challenging to navigate "Connect" I'm trying to post a question, Are kidney transplants / evaluations considered 'Elective Surgery' and put on hold for a while?

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I was suppose to have a kidney transplant on March 26th, living donor. It has been postponed not sure when it will take place.

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@dhelmstetter

I'm finding it challenging to navigate "Connect" I'm trying to post a question, Are kidney transplants / evaluations considered 'Elective Surgery' and put on hold for a while?

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Welcome to Connect, @dhelmstetter. Congratulations on being considered for transplant evaluation. Do you already have a scheduled appointment? Have you heard from your transplant center regarding this?
Here is Mayo's current policy: "Mayo Clinic's response to the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving, with significant potential for travel restrictions and advisories. Depending on your circumstances, your care team may recommend that you delay your appointment at Mayo Clinic or seek care closer to home. Alternatively, phone call assessments or video visits may be able to replace face-to-face visits during this time. You may be contacted by your care team to discuss options that are best for you."
from- https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/covid-19-faqs/transplant

I would like to share this link. You can click on the blue text and you will go directly to the information for getting started on Connect. Let me know if you want more assistance.
About Connect: Who, What & WhyTips for Participating in an Online Community
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/tips-for-participating-in-an-online-community/

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@melabel

I was suppose to have a kidney transplant on March 26th, living donor. It has been postponed not sure when it will take place.

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@melabel, Welcome to Connect. Golly, that has to be a disappointment for you. However during this current coronavirus pandemic, things have to be handled differently. I hope you find some comfort in knowing it is for you and for your donor to get the best possible outcome.
I want to invite you to the following discussion and meet another member with an approaching kidney transplant date. You two might be able to help each other.
Living Donor Kidney surgery next Tuesday: Any advice?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-donor-kidney-surgery-next-tuesday/

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