As the snow continues falling in New York City and the wind chill hits below zero, I’m starting to worry about my immune system. Granted, I’m feeling better now than I have in months. I’m more energized, I feel stronger, and I finally feel like I’m on the road to recovery. Still, it’s cold outside, no one feels good during the winter, and my feet are freezing. Add to that my bad luck and I’m a little nervous about my compromised self.
New York City is a brutal place during the winter. Despite what you may have seen on Miracle at 34th Street, the snow here is not white. It is a slushy mix of grey, yellow, and acid rain. The streets are strewn with tourists who walk slowly and window shop. The subways are packed with coughers, snifflers, and various other communicable disease-givers. I’ve recently received permission to take the subway from my doctor. But I’m still not so keen on getting punched and prodded while I have no defense mechanism. And with Swine Flu on the prowl for poor, defenseless people like me, chances of getting sick are everywhere.
Last year I got the flu shot. So did Aviva. And we both got the flu anyway. This year I wasn’t allowed to get the shot. Because my immune system was so fragile after the surgery they told me not to bother. I couldn’t get the H1N1 shot either. The truth is you can drive yourself crazy worrying about all these diseases. With a new liver, though, you just need to be more careful, like a flight marshal constantly on the lookout for anything suspicious. And so I’m bundled up in three layers, a bottle of purell in one hand, gloves and a mask in the other. I’m ready to head out in the cold, bitter winter. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it.
4 comments:
Yanai, I just discovered your blog. I was so taken by what you have here that I tried to read every post in one sitting.
Dr. Stein had us pray for you in school when you got the transplant and I prayed and also sent my regards and best wishes to you and your family at the time.
I am going to go back and read and reread these pieces and look forward to the new ones. You and Aviva (and your families) mean a lot to me. I'm glad I found this new way to read up on you and your wife and life.
Stay warm friend.
My wife finally got her H1N1 shot last week because she was in the very last catagory to be eligible for one. I was fortunate enough to get one last November.
I hope you are doing well. My MELD dropped to 10 from 13. I am kind of discouraged. But my creatinine level had dropped considerably and it looks as though my kidney functions are looking good.
Whenever I feel down I thank my lucky stars for what I have. I have so much more than others, and while others have so much more than me, my new life with a new transplant is quite the miracle. Life is great.
Michael K.
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