For now, since I am very new recipient, I am more or less at home a lot and only go to the hospital with the mask on, wash my hands a lot, have sanitizers in the car and with me at all times. My family and friends are all informed, but I haven't ventured out yet to meet with most of them, just my close family at the moment who live with me.
I am hosting Christmas Eve at my house this year and I am fortunate that it will be mostly my immediate family who know my situation. I get a bit stressed out when we get invited to Holiday parties because even being almost 9 years post-transplant, I still feel awkward sometimes explaining what it means to be immunocompromised. I will usually avoid appetizers that are sitting out, and I frequently get asked why I won't help myself to any food. I never want to be rude, but I also don't want to go into the detail of explaining why it's not safe for me especially if I don't know the people who made it. I've just been saying that I have complex dietary restrictions, so I always eat before attending parties to keep things simple.
I am traveling for Christmas. I have an early morning bus ride on Christmas Day to avoid crowds. Sometimes I pay extra not to have a seat mate.
As for the family gathering, I wash my hands constantly and wear a mask throughout the time I am with them, I set about 6 feet apart while I eat dinner.
There will be a small gathering on Christmas Day, and the family Christmas will be on Saturday, but I will head home before it starts. There will be about 6 children 8 and under, therefore I have chosen to skip it.
I feel as though my mask has become an essential part of my wardrobe.
This is a family I was adopted into, and they know the difficult journey I had to receive my transplant. My food will be served first.
I hear you all and I also hosted Christmas Eve here w family who flew over from Europe so bugs were abundant and foreign! I felt a headache come on early during the day and wondered if it was from dehydration or a bug that I got from being at two nutcracker performances during the weekend with 1000 in the audience and lots of little and older girls… it got so bad that I went to bed while by guests were finishing watching a movie but at least I pulled through presenting and eating a great dinner! I have difficulties wearing a mask w family and close friends but might be a good idea. More difficult was the next day at my mother’s house when the fold included scavengers like lobster and scallops - beautifully presented but I know I should not touch! She keeps asking me to have some and then top off w some salad that she said she made only for me (!!). I hesitate with both and I know it drives her crazy if I do not eat.. so I get nervous. Now my tummy hurts but I don’t know if it is due to the food or the anxiety!
I am spending holidays with my family, wife and son, whom I live with. Not venturing out this year, since my first post transplant year and don't want to risk it. Small price to pay. We enjoyed Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas at home. A lot of rest.
We traveled for Christmas. I hauled an air purifier around with me, sat in chairs closest to an open window/farthest from the massive groups of people and sanitized like crazy.
I also know all the gatherings and holiday treats threw me for a bit of a loop so I’m doubling down now on hydration, healthy eating and getting plenty of rest.
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For now, since I am very new recipient, I am more or less at home a lot and only go to the hospital with the mask on, wash my hands a lot, have sanitizers in the car and with me at all times. My family and friends are all informed, but I haven't ventured out yet to meet with most of them, just my close family at the moment who live with me.
I am hosting Christmas Eve at my house this year and I am fortunate that it will be mostly my immediate family who know my situation. I get a bit stressed out when we get invited to Holiday parties because even being almost 9 years post-transplant, I still feel awkward sometimes explaining what it means to be immunocompromised. I will usually avoid appetizers that are sitting out, and I frequently get asked why I won't help myself to any food. I never want to be rude, but I also don't want to go into the detail of explaining why it's not safe for me especially if I don't know the people who made it. I've just been saying that I have complex dietary restrictions, so I always eat before attending parties to keep things simple.
I am traveling for Christmas. I have an early morning bus ride on Christmas Day to avoid crowds. Sometimes I pay extra not to have a seat mate.
As for the family gathering, I wash my hands constantly and wear a mask throughout the time I am with them, I set about 6 feet apart while I eat dinner.
There will be a small gathering on Christmas Day, and the family Christmas will be on Saturday, but I will head home before it starts. There will be about 6 children 8 and under, therefore I have chosen to skip it.
I feel as though my mask has become an essential part of my wardrobe.
This is a family I was adopted into, and they know the difficult journey I had to receive my transplant. My food will be served first.
Transplant Patient
I hear you all and I also hosted Christmas Eve here w family who flew over from Europe so bugs were abundant and foreign! I felt a headache come on early during the day and wondered if it was from dehydration or a bug that I got from being at two nutcracker performances during the weekend with 1000 in the audience and lots of little and older girls… it got so bad that I went to bed while by guests were finishing watching a movie but at least I pulled through presenting and eating a great dinner! I have difficulties wearing a mask w family and close friends but might be a good idea. More difficult was the next day at my mother’s house when the fold included scavengers like lobster and scallops - beautifully presented but I know I should not touch! She keeps asking me to have some and then top off w some salad that she said she made only for me (!!). I hesitate with both and I know it drives her crazy if I do not eat.. so I get nervous. Now my tummy hurts but I don’t know if it is due to the food or the anxiety!
I am spending holidays with my family, wife and son, whom I live with. Not venturing out this year, since my first post transplant year and don't want to risk it. Small price to pay. We enjoyed Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas at home. A lot of rest.
Transplant Patient
We traveled for Christmas. I hauled an air purifier around with me, sat in chairs closest to an open window/farthest from the massive groups of people and sanitized like crazy.
I also know all the gatherings and holiday treats threw me for a bit of a loop so I’m doubling down now on hydration, healthy eating and getting plenty of rest.