Kidney Transplant and Covid Prison

[Ynnep]

I was actually feeling more like my true self and confident that I was recovering nicely from the transplant surgery, then the covid hit and I have been a prisoner in my own house. The only social activity I have is going for labs and doctor appointments. I miss all the things I used to do: going to the library, salon, mani-pedi, seeing friends for lunch or dinner. I'm so tired of staying home.

[LisaSnow]

I believe the whole world feel the helplessness of Covid interventions (quarantine and things closing temporarily). If we all wear mask and take vaccine, very soon we can reopen many social activities. Be patient.

[chicago17]

Hi I had my transplant in 2018 I'm allowed to go outside for an hour a day for exercise. I walk for at least an hour yesterday I did 2.4 miles and i feel much better for it when i get back I'd go crazy if i never went out every day I live in the UK si I'm not aware of the rules where you live but I would of thought they would be the same as our covid rules . Even in the 1st lock down I could go in my own garden for the 12 week I had to shield. Phone your renal team for advice about going for a walk I'm sure you.ll be able to do that . I had my covid vaccination on the 28th of January with no side effects just a sore arm so we are getting nearer the end of this nightmare guidelines still have to be followed for the tim being but hey another few months is no big deal .good luck with getting out of the house .😊

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

What state do you live in? I am in WY and have already received my first vaccination, with the second on Feb 10th. I received the MODERNA. Have you called your PCP about receiving your COVID vaccine? You should fall into the 1a or 1b category due to your transplant and being immunosuppressed. You can also call your local health department and find out your status.

Like chicago17 I also go for a walk most days. I find that getting outside for awhile helps with the feeling of being "cooped up" for almost a year.

Good luck to you!

[Ynnep]

Hi all replying friends, I live in Chicago. We have recently received almost a foot of snow and it's about 15 degrees. Not a good time to go for a walk. Before the virus, I went out all the time. I haven't been grocery shopping since a few days before St. Paddy's Day. I'd be happy to do that now, but I've heard that folks can't be trusted to wear masks and keep the distance. I'm looking forward to getting the vaccine so I can have life again.

[PurplePill]

I hear ya! I’m in ON, Can. and we are currently in a lock down and vaccines are in short supply atm. I’m thankful I can work from home but it is hard to be alone all the time. It has been very cold here the past week so it’s been hard to get outside. If it wasn’t for my dog guilting me, I would never get outside. But the hardest part of this whole thing has been....My boyfriend and I have been waiting three years to find out if he was a match, and now that we finally have the okay, we are waiting for the hospital to have an open operation room. I am currently sitting at an eGFR of 12 and waiting to hear from the transplant team any day now to book my living donor transplant. I am holding back from starting Dialysis because we are “months away” from the transplant, but it is hard to be hopeful when you see some people not taking COVID seriously. It is also scary going into the hospital, having a surgery and being put on immune surprising drugs at this time...but we will see what happens in the next few months...it’s always a waiting game.

[Ynnep]

Dear PurplePill,

I'm so happy you have a match, especially from a living donor. I did not have to do dialysis, but I was "dangerously close. I had a fistula placed in my arm a few months before a donor was found. After being on the Gift of Hope donor list for 6 years, it was a blessing to finally have a match. I actually had the surgery April 2019, long before this Covid thing started. I can understand your worries having a surgery (any kind) with germs everywhere. The anti-rejection meds are a little difficult in the beginning. Your transplant might make many adjustments before coming up with a combination that is just right for you. Age is a factor and overall health is as well. Trust your transplant team and have faith in God. It's always a miracle to find a match and a super miracle to have a living donor. I am so happy for you. Trust your transplant team, they will make sure that this goes well for you. On the plus side, a living donor is super special as the donor's kidney doesn't have a shelf life. I'll pray for you and your donor.

[Jayhawker in reply to Ynnep]

Could you clarify you comment about age being a factor with regard to transplants snd recovery?

Jayhawker

[Ynnep in reply to Jayhawker]

Hi Jayhawker,

When I was being released from the hospital after the transplant, the transplant co-originator gave me a book with all kinds of information relating to the transplant. One of the things mentioned in the book was that baring unforeseen complications, a patient could expect to go back to work and other normal activities. After several months of feeling like I had been hit by a semi (very large truck), I asked the doctor at Kidney Transplant Clinic why I couldn't imagine going to work. I couldn't even imagine not needing a nap in the middle of the day. The doctor explained that the reference was for patient that were 40 years old (or younger) and that I was being unfair to myself by comparing my 71 year old body with someone who is 40 of less. So lesson learned-yes some folks go back to work and some of us are already retired.

[Alfredmynewkidney]

I had a transplant in the beginning of COVID. Luckily I was able to go back to work. I pretty much live my life doing what I want but being careful. I wear a mask, sanitize or wash my hands frequently and stay 6ft away from people. I go to the store, hair salon and nail salon. In my area it seems everything is so much cleaner! Staff frequently cleaning ect. Maybe because I have to go to work I'm more comfortable being out.... and it took months after going to work for me to do other things.

[LisaSnow in reply to Alfredmynewkidney]

I am jealous that hair salon is allowed to open in your area!

[Alfredmynewkidney in reply to LisaSnow]

They've been open for awhile. They have to wear masks, extra cleaning between customers and they aren't supposed to use hair dryers

[Ynnep]

I'd love to go to a salon. No cut or color since December 2019. As you can imagine, I'm a mess.

[Hidden]

I know. It is rough, but we are alive. I feel the same way. Watch the pedicure situation. My husband and I went to this really cool place in Asheville, NC and I got my first pedicure along with a toenail fungus I am still seeing a podiatrist about and it has been a year.

[Hidden]

Me too!!

[Indianmotorcycles]

I feel the same way. I had my transplant in January.