To avoid illness and infection before my transplant, I made some lifestyle changes. A lot has happened since then and what was different then is normal now. Society now practices many of the same habits thanks largely to the SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus/COVID-19) Pandemic.
Why Is It So Much More Important Now?
When diagnosed with a condition so severe it requires a transplant, you are more susceptible to illness and infection. Underlying conditions cause your immune system to become compromised. After your transplant, you will be taking immunosuppressants for the rest of your life. These medications do just what their name suggests, they suppress your immune system.
Your susceptibility to illness or infection will increase. Also, your ability to fight it will decrease because of your suppressed immune system. For me, a simple head cold caught before I got sick would stick around for two or three days. That same head cold now hangs out for a couple of weeks.
Handwashing and Hand Sanitizing
Mr. Graft Diaries likes to use this analogy for remembering to wash your hands and other items frequently. “Try to imagine that everything outside your house is covered in mud. The grocery cart, the door handles, and that can of cream of mushroom soup at the grocery store. You touch those things, and then you touch your phone (eew). You touch your face, your other hand, your car door, your steering wheel.” You get the picture.
It is important to be vigilant to protect yourself from those nasty cooties out there. While you will need to be more cautious, I’m not saying that you need to be completely obsessed. Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds (sing the ABC’s or Happy Birthday twice if you need). Be sure to cause friction between your hands and fingers and especially after using the restroom or before eating.
Can’t hand wash? Use an alcohol-based (at least 60%) hand sanitizer and wash your hands as soon as you can. This is all sounding familiar, am I right?
Avoidance
If you see someone cough or sneeze, give yourself a little extra space from them. I would even wear a mask on an airplane (assuming this is an option and not a requirement).
Let’s say your bestie gives you a call and wants to have you over for dinner. Then you hear them (or someone else) coughing and sneezing, maybe right now is not the best time. Sadly, we love our people but we have to be careful.
Now, all of these things are assuming there are not recommendations out there for a pandemic or something. You should follow those guidelines if so and understand that you are now one of those “at-risk” folks.
Kiddos
It’s not just up to us to avoid illness and infection before transplant. For those of you with kids, schools are great places for viruses and infections to spread. Then our adorable little Petrie dishes come home and share the love with us.
We will happily take love and affection from our little carriers of germs, won’t we? Because, dangit if we don’t just love them to pieces! Now is a good time to get them into the habit of being vigilant too (if they aren’t already). It couldn’t hurt to encourage them to use their own glass and silverware. You know, when they want to share “just a little bit” of whatever you might be eating or drinking.
Live Your Life Anyway…Kinda
Ultimately, we can only do our best and will all eventually come down with a little something now and then. But, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and all that, so every little bit does help.
Now go elbow bump your colleagues or acquaintances and enjoy your non-germy day.
