Liver
Working post-transplant
Did you return to work post-transplant? How long was it until you went back? Are you currently working during the pandemic and if so, are you working from home or are going into the workplace?
I was very naive pre-transplant and thought I would be returning to work by 6 weeks post-transplant. I was even hopeful that I'd be able to go on an international work trip to London 10 weeks post-transplant (LOL). I ended up returning to work at 11 weeks post-transplant, but after my first day I realized I needed to ease back into it with half-days. I only did 2 weeks of half-days in the office before the office shut down due to COVID. I then slowly increased my half-days over the next month before officially returning to full-time working from home. I'm still working from home and will continue to do so indefinitely.
1 - 5 of 5 Replies
Transplant Patient
I went back 4 weeks post kidney and 8 weeks post pancreas - the latter required another hospitalization due to an abscess so it took real time to come back again. I was weak though - both times and lost around ten pounds each time - hard to nourish myself w the nausea and the fatigue!
I went back to work 8 weeks post liver transplant. I was initially at my parents house in Minnesota under their care until I returned to my apartment in Wisconsin. I returned to Wisconsin while my company (less than 100 employees--between shop and office) had sent about half of the employees in the office to work from home, so I went and picked up all my items at work and brought every thing to my apartment. I am currently still working from home and probably will be for quite some time (or until this gets under control). I am lucky and grateful that my employer allows me to work from home and also says your health comes first.
Transplant Patient
How was the work experience when getting back as someone on immune suppressants? Did you feel susceptible? Afraid? @mikem and @lescp3 how do you feel about being the friend, colleague of someone w a transplant - does it make you stay home more when you have a slight cold??
For me, I went back with a very large bottle of hand sanitizer and a mask (pre-covid!) It was february, so still flu season, and I was definitely paranoid about catching something and getting sick. I also sent a friendly "I'm back" message to everyone in the office, basically saying that while I was excited to be back and see everyone and catch up, that I was on multiple immunosuppressants and needed to be cautious, so I politely asked if they could keep space between us, no hugs, etc.
This was a weird experience for me because each time the protocol seemed to be different as to being around people, etc. I actually chose to barely alert anyone. I guess I was super self-conscious about it, and didn't want like the rest of the team knowing. So some folks knew, but others didn't. Weird I guess.
Also, when I was a kid, they kept us out of school for 4-6 months post!