Are our warriors going back to school?

[Jones1109]

Hi, hope you are all well 😊 my 12 y o daughter has had dialysis, transplant and is back on dialysis, still on anti-rejection meds, I’m interested to see if everyone in a similar position is sending their warriors back to school? Thankyou in advance.

[BearMama0321]

Hi there,

First - your daughter is amazing, but you don’t need me to tell you that!

What does her nephrologist say? I’m curious because I’m keeping my 2-year-old with stage 3 kidney disease (atrophic right kidney due to vesicouretal reflux) home with me along with his 4.5 year old sister. I know our situations are different and a 12-year-old has very different academic and social needs than my two, but our nephrologist urged caution regarding daycare - advised keeping them out as long as possible. This is challenging as I work full time from home (for now) but we’re making it work.

My 4.5 year old is supposed to start kindergarten this fall - which feels far away but really isn’t. It’s hard for us to plan ahead or assume she’ll do in person school. I’m concerned about her catching Covid but also of her passing it along to her brother with kidney disease. My husband and I should be vaccinated by then but the kids won’t be.

Anyway, I’m not helpful to your specific question but wanted to share what our nephrologist said. Keep us posted on what you decide and of course I’m sending oodles of good, healthy vibes to your daughter. Warrior indeed!

[Jones1109 in reply to BearMama0321]

Hi, first of all thankyou for replying! Our nephrologist told us last week my daughter could return to school, I’m left feeling that what we have done for this past year is just being wrote off, COVID is still very much around, I’ve kept my 15 and 9 year old daughters at home too, my oldest resitting year 11 😢 we have had to make such hard decisions but not convinced we are not going to welcome everyone back into lockdown AGAIN!! I feel as if our vulnerable are just to like it and lump it now! I wish your son all the best for his future, he has a strong moma 💪🏻 Sending all those positive vibes right back!!

[Jones1109 in reply to BearMama0321]

In this past year alone she has had kidney rejection, plasma therapy, retuximab, hemo dialysis and is currently on peritoneal dialysis at home. I’m so terrified, they also can’t promise me she would be ok if she caught COVID. And that’s what replays in my head!!!! Sorry for ranting, as you prob know people don’t fully understand ckd as it’s so complex.

[BearMama0321 in reply to Jones1109]

I totally agree and understand. I feel the same with my son and he’s not dealing with half of what your daughter is.

Does your district still offer remote learning? I know it might be hard for her to be home when her peers are going back but in your shoes, I wouldn’t want to be part of this big experiment, either. Some epidemiologists are criticizing the CDC’s 3-feet-spacing guidelines and saying it’s far too early for kids to be back en masse.

I say go with your gut. It’ll be scary whenever she returns to school but now? When we’re no where close to herd immunity and cases are higher than they were last spring/fall (at least in my area)? I hear you - I think it’s crazy. I’m sure your nephrologist is wonderful but I’m surprised they gave the ok. Sure, for kids without complex health conditions, maybe the risk is acceptable (and even then I think this is all premature). But for kidney warriors? No way!

Good luck, mama!