Has your transplant team given advice or suggest anything about the COVID-19?

[Dna4christ]

Hello,

I'm wondering if any transplant centers have addressed the coronavirus issue because my doctor hasn't given us any warnings or such. Thank you~

[kimosabi1961]

I've not heard anything from my center, but my family doctor said anyone like myself that are taking meds for anti-rejection that lower your immune system should be extra careful around people that may be sick, and it would be wise to wear a mask when going to crowded places. I had my transplant a year ago.

[Dna4christ in reply to kimosabi1961]

Okay thank you for your reply. I get stares wearing masks in public 😅

[Dara3351 in reply to Dna4christ]

Let them stare! When the H1N1 virus was going around I was in Japan and all were wearing masks. I am a flight attendant and seeing people wearing masks on flights is not new!

[Dna4christ in reply to Dara3351]

Haha thank you!! I will bear the many eyes upon my beautiful face 2😁

[MomofRecipient in reply to kimosabi1961]

Not a word from the transplant center. Of course, we should use common sense and continue to practice the safety procedures transplant patients use daily, but an acknowledgment of the situation or assurance would be nice.

[Dna4christ in reply to MomofRecipient]

Yes!!! A word of cautious or assurance would be nice from my doctor, but as the problem escalates, nothing. Anyways, common sense and distancing will help us get through this!! Stay safe~

[Trouper]

Ive seen my transplant team the other day and they advise me not to do any travel at the moment since its more risky for immuno suppress patients.

Wearing mask, hand washing, avoiding crowds and be very careful.

i have a hard time finding good face mask atm since everywhere is sold out. lol.

im 7 month post transplant.

[Cazzy41 in reply to Trouper]

Saw face masks on EBay if that helps x

[Trouper in reply to Cazzy41]

They have but they are using it to make money now. The vogmask for $44 is on bid up to $159😪. Crazy

[kimosabi1961 in reply to Trouper]

Have you tried Amazon? The CEO has said that any seller that is found to be price gouging on masks will have their accounts terminated.

[Trouper in reply to kimosabi1961]

I will definitely check on it. Thank you!

[Cazzy41 in reply to Trouper]

I’m in the UK and EBAY is selling 24 masks and sanitiser for £26.99 free postage x

[Bsasup in reply to Trouper]

harriscomm.com Canadian company has masks. I use these because my wife can see my lips, she has a hearing loss. But I find people do better with them as they can see your emotions

[Dna4christ in reply to Trouper]

Okay sounds about right! I feel as if I am quarantining myself without even being sick .. gotta do what we gotta do! I cant find masks either. I just happened to save one that my sister got me many years ago.. homemade masks?

[Trouper in reply to Dna4christ]

Try etsy. They sell some masks as well but not as good at vogmask or cambridge.

[Dna4christ in reply to Trouper]

Aww.. I wander when they'll restock vogmask. I just found out about them and all gone lol

[Trouper in reply to Dna4christ]

They restock it yesterday. I was on it by the time they said it will come out but few mins later its “all out of stock” again lol..

Cambridge are taking pre order but wont sent it till may now.

[Dna4christ in reply to Trouper]

Oh .... I wish they give all transplant patients masks for freee 😂

[Dara3351 in reply to Trouper]

Amazon has everything

[Dna4christ in reply to Dara3351]

My go-to.. did order some disinfectant wipes but they canceled my order saying no longer available 🤦‍♀️

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

My transplant center sent out an email to all recipients regarding the CORONA VIRUS. The main thing was to let all of the hype settle down and suggested not to travel out of the USA for right now. The fact they brought out....corona virus is new, but many more people have died from the flu this season 18,000 in US.

Went on to say that hand washing is the best preventive measure.

[Dna4christ in reply to WYOAnne]

Yeah.. I guess the panick that's happening around me is causing all the hype. Seriously, disposable wipes been wiped out of our local walmart shelves!

[Donaldson0007]

My team simply said hand washing and a mask for travel and there was nothing else they suggested. I also get stares and laughs when in a mask but I have fun with it. I draw fangs on the mask, big teeth, vampire teeth, shark teeth or sometimes I write "COOTIES" on it, and other times I write TRANSPLANT so people quit looking. Ha ha!

[Dna4christ in reply to Donaldson0007]

That's a great idea!!! TRANSPLANT!! STOP STARING 😁😁

[Trouper in reply to Dna4christ]

Lol! Yep!

[Trouper in reply to Donaldson0007]

Haha! Yep i got those stares also. I got me me a “sorry new BEAN” on my black mask just for them to quit looking

[Baxter26]

I ordered a box from Amazon at the start. Was canceled by Amazon 2 weeks later. I have some on order now expected delivery end of March. Yesterday I went to my dentist for my usual six month check up and I admired the technician’s. We started a discussion about my concern as a kidney transplant patient and how they just aren’t available and she gave me several that they obviously had a good supply of.

[guido46]

I haven't heard anything except you common sense and try to stay away from crowded places.

[Sparklyjo]

We spoke to our team and the ONLY thing you can do is wash hands and use alcogel , masks make absolutely no difference at all unless you wear full on masks, the n95 ones only last 8 hours so you would need thousands to get through this and they are in short supply for the hospitals who actually need them!! If your team are worried they will get in contact with you like they did with swine flu!

[Dna4christ in reply to Sparklyjo]

But still, I would think masks are better than anything? When I received my first transplant, I had to wear them everday for a year or so. Hopefully, this outbreak passes soon!

[shash8363]

My Transplant Team just offered to issue me a letter stating “work from home”. Other than that yes - everything that everyone said above. Just be extra careful!! Let’s hope all of us get through this quickly and safely.

[Dna4christ in reply to shash8363]

Yes I pray that this outbreak ends soon!!

[Baxter26]

Not a word. A little disappointed with that.

[Dna4christ in reply to Baxter26]

Aww. That is a little disappointing. Are you guys doing teleconference at least?. My doctor has resorted to that and when I asked about the covid_19, he said we need to take extra pre-caution being immunocompromised. We can get very sick, and he has patients with covid at the moment. Told me that it was real which I know!

[Dara3351]

Our transplant team has. Teleconferencing is pretty cool! No more driving 30-45 minutes in the am...I have had one with my Nephrologist and my regular Doctor. Next month with the liver specialist!

[horsie63]

So here we are in July 2022 and there's a new variant, BA5 that is more transmittable easily bypassing vaccination/boosted. I do know Amazon has N95 masks back in stock. I spent the last 2 and 1/2 years being careful but my husband went to a wedding in another state and brought it home. I was sick as a dog and he felt "allergies". Luckily my GP knows I have CKD and got me monoclonal antibodies in time to keep me from the hospital. Please be careful.

[LisaSnow in reply to horsie63]

I am eagerly waiting for the vaccine that targets "variants of the variant" better, to become available.

[Jepsos in reply to LisaSnow]

Me, too!

[Dna4christ in reply to horsie63]

How are you doing? Are you all better now? I’m sorry to hear that.

My parents got me this device called 02 plasma virus cleaner (Plabank) that’s been FDA approved. It claims to keep cold viruses, Covid, and other viruses away from the person wearing it within 2 meter radius. It’s chargeable. Im not positive if it works but I’ve been wearing it for 2 months. I haven’t gotten sick even when I was around hand foot mouth disease, few kids with flus, family friend with Covid etc. All close encounters too.

Maybe you can look into it.

Anyways, keep safe and happy long transplant!!!

[LisaSnow in reply to Dna4christ]

We have missed you. Come chat with us more often!

[Dna4christ in reply to LisaSnow]

Hi Lisa! Hope you’re doing well. Yes I will. Missed you too!!