Transplant Patient with young child

[JaynesPla]

I'm new to this page. My husband is a grateful transplant recipient (2017). We have both received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. We know from research that my husband likely has little to no protection. We and our 6 year old child have physically distanced, masked and worked and attended school virtually. I'm curious to hear from other transplant patients with young children in their lives and how they handle allowing their littles out in the world knowing they could bring COVID back to their transplant recipient parent. We have taken this to the extreme for protection of my husband over the last year. We're afraid to open up, but afraid not to for our little one's mental health. How are those of you with young children handling this?

[Herkidney]

Dear JaynesPla. While my children are not so little anymore, I share similar concerns. Unfortunately I have no words or guidance to share. I just wanted to wish you and your family strength as you navigate these challenges. ❤️

[Vk12]

I am in same situation as you are! I had my surgery just 16 months back. And my son is in 1st grade currently and will turn 7 in 3 months. He is doing virtual school too. But we are allowing him to play with our neighborhood kids with mask all the time maintaining some distance.Otherwise it is very difficult for the kid too mentally. He understands the whole situation though. So never takes off his mask.

Now I am in a dilemma whether to send him to school from next year as virtual school is not at all beneficial at least to my kid and also it is very exhausting for me to. But at the same time I am very afraid. Both me and my husband are vaccinated but I know it will not provide me with any protection. Please let me know what you guys are thinking about your kid’s school from next year.

We otherwise don’t go anywhere. We get all our groceries delivered to home.

[WYOAnne NKF Ambassador]

Ask your doctor for the blood test to see if he has built up antibodies against COVID.I had my transplant in 1999. I have had both of my Moderna vaccines. 2 weeks after my 2nd shot my doctor ran the antibody test on me. I was positive for the antibodies. Not all transplant recipients are negative for the antibodies. Ask for the test and then you will know for sure.

[JackN]

That's good to hear. I had mine in 2000 and also had Moderna and it's nice to know that people are able to get antibody tests. I messaged my transplant dept and they said they were waiting and reading the research. I imagine a test and perhaps a booster shot are in my future. I hope sooner rather than later!

[JackN in reply to JackN]

I really liked this post and was about to respond and then realized that I wrote it. Have to get used to my "name". Hope this little tidbit will brighten someone's day.

[bdbo]

Hi. I understand your fear. I have had my kidney transplant for 28 years. I have 3 young kids ages 7-9. I took them out of school and homeschooled them myself this past year. They have each other to play with and don’t seem so lonely. We have our groceries delivered too. The only person who goes out is my husband who works in a hospital. He treated COVID patients but we all managed to stay well. My husband asked me to homeschool one more year. He has 3 concerns that he wants to watch over the next year: 1. Variants and whether the vaccines will continue to work.

2. How long the vaccine works and when boosters wii be available.

3. When vaccines become available to young kids and waiting for 6 months to ensure the efficacy and lack of serious side effects.

I wish you good luck and hope you are able to find a solution that gives you peace.

Ps my doctor would not give me this test as it “against the standard of care”....