How far to go in order to avoid infections/diseases after transplant?

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Kristina, another post tx thought occurs to me.

I wear a sterling silver medical alert bracelet.  On the front is engraved my name and the words "kidney transplant immunosuppressed".  On the back is engraved the name of my tx center and their phone number.  I wear this in case of an emergency so that first responders will have this information at their disposal.  This is something that maybe you can consider in the future.

Thank you for this reminder! The tx team and take-home materials suggested this as well. They included an information pamphlet in my transplant information binder/booklet. It definitely would help in, God forbid, situations where we are unable to communicate our special situations easily. Not exactly related to keeping clean or avoiding infections but really important in the "living life and being proactive" department.

[iolaire]

I wear a sterling silver medical alert bracelet. 

I've not done this, but I did add it to the medical id information on my iPhone.

[kristina]

Kristina, another post tx thought occurs to me.

I wear a sterling silver medical alert bracelet.  On the front is engraved my name and the words "kidney transplant immunosuppressed".  On the back is engraved the name of my tx center and their phone number.  I wear this in case of an emergency so that first responders will have this information at their disposal.  This is something that maybe you can consider in the future.

Many thanks again MooseMom! What a great idea! I shall get a medical alert bracelet and fill in the details after the transplant...
... Mind you, it still could take quite a long while until it all becomes reality, but it feels good to get prepared ...
Many thanks again from Kristina.

[Naynay99]

Hey.  I realize everyone is different and that immunosuppressant dose is higher right after a transplant, but after that I think as long as you are reasonably careful you don’t need to go too crazy protecting yourself from germs. 

While I was just a kid at the time i got my tx I don’t remember any strict decrees about no noes said by my doctor.  I don’t eat rare hamburgers and I try to avoid being around sick people.  That’s really it. 

I am a teacher so I work with middle school kids who are disgustingly germy at times, but I don’t Lysol their papers or anything.  Lol. 
I usually get 1-2 bad colds a winter; it does take me a lot longer than an average person to get over a virus tho and sometimes my dr will give me an atibiotic to fight a possible secondary infection.   But considering parents send their kids to school sick all the time I do pretty okay. 

I have 2 cats and I scoop their litter boxes myself.  I just wash my hands afterwards.   
I do feel a bit like a germophobe when on a plane or movie theatre or dr office with someone who is sick with a hacking cough, and I have to fight the urge to hold my breath!  But it hasn’t prevented me from doing anything.  Idk, maybe if I get a second tx with new immunosuppressant meds I will be more careful in the beginning. 
Anyway, take care. 












Sp mod Cas

[UkrainianTracksuit]

I had my first real life situation with someone with an infection and I am happy to report I'm fine! 

At one of my volunteer places, which is a small room, one of my fellow volunteers showed up with an active lung infection. She knows I am a double tx recipient, in early months, and still showed up without precautions. Not saying that the world has to revolve around me but just a little common courtesy, in regards to health, goes a long way. She started talking to me for awhile before she revealed the extent of her infection so I kindly told her I would keep my distance even though it was a small cramped room. No mask, just hand sanitizer. As it turns out, I'm fine at the moment.