The Holidays, COVID, Lockdowns, and Kidney Transplantation

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend as best they could! Now we find ourselves a week later, in December, and well into the Christmas Holiday Season.

We made the decision to celebrate Thanksgiving with just the three of us in our house, instead of the nine people total we usually join for the meal, including a 45 minute drive outside of the Twin Cities. Our state is in COVID lockdown until December 18th and this is the way our Governor recommended people gather for Thanksgiving, not including people outside of our own households.

How difficult though! But we had to consider, given the pandemic, the circle of people our son’s family is in contact with, as well as my in-laws similarly in the small town where they live. We believe all these relatives are taking precautions, but everyone has their own standards, measures are not as stringent as you get further outside the large metro areas (where we are), and no doubt the number of potential COVID contacts goes up even in these smaller groups and given my previously comments regarding who our relatives have had contact with. You just don’t know.

Thanksgiving Day was saved somewhat with Facetime with our grandchildren, who we certainly missed seeing in person. We are thankful for technology and its ability to keep us better connected.

Was staying at home for Thanksgiving this year the right decision? I think so. Being immune system suppressed following kidney transplant surgery puts me at higher risk for infection. Plus the virus apparently attacks and can shut the kidneys down in any person. I don’t think I’d fare well fighting that.

Will Christmas look any different? I doubt so. I don’t believe the COVID numbers will improve enough for our Governor to lift the lockdown on December 18th, but will likely extend it. Will a Christmas like Thanksgiving be even more difficult to take? Yes. But as they say, best to take precautions now and be around for later holidays.

It looks like those with compromised immune systems, like kidney transplant recipients, will be among the first to receive the COVID vaccine. I have not heard anything officially yet from my Nephrologist and Transplant Coordinator. If so, it is probably best that we all line up to get it. Stay tuned.

All in an effort to have the opportunity for a better 2021. Hang in there and take care. I’m thinking about all of you.