Anti-vaccers are actively trying to murder me and all of us

[mercuryblues]

whether they admit it or not.

Last year I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. There isn't a cure for it, my only hope is to go into remission and a bone marrow transplant. After a long spring, summer and fall, of chemo, I went into remission on October 25th.

My transplant date was set for Dec 9th. Only I developed a bad infection that developed into sepsis. It almost killed me. Transplant canceled.
When I got better, I was rescheduled for the transplant. I got as far as getting my stem cells harvested. Then transplant unit shut down, because of Covid.

Every step of the way has been a struggle. It didn't need to be.

At first, isolated because of Covid. I was happy when the Vaccine came out. Because then I could feel a bit more comfortable going grocery shopping. Hey, I got vaccinated, surely everyone who could would also. Right? Of course, the Anti-vaccers put a stop to that idea.

Because of them, I have only held my first grandchild 1 time and seen her 4 times. She only lives 5 miles from me. The thing that helped me get through was I was going to get the transplant and when I was revaccinated for every disease since childhood, I could spoil her rotten. Oh, but no the antivaccers made sure I can't do that.

Not only that I am petrified I will come out of remission, get another infection or Covid while waiting for this surge to ease up. I mean what are we on now the 5th, 6th, 7th surge because they refuse to vaccinate.

So please tell me again how I am to forgive or understand those fuckers? They are actively trying to kill me in more ways than one. Fuck them.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I agree, but this may be a good place to rant, but not convert anyone...

Can you get this message out to the troglodytes who are anti-mask and vax?

Local newspapers, groups, TV and anyone else who is at least a little bit accepting of anti Covid messaging?

The anti science groups have been out there in force for two years. We don't need more experts, we need big voices and badasses who will fight their bullshit with simple truth.

[mercuryblues]

2. I know

The antivacs have made this harder than it needed to be.

I never thought about going public. I might clean this OP up a bit and write a LTTE

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Going public is never easy-- do you have backup people you can...

depend upon?

I agree, these anti types have made what used to be just common decency a battle with dire consequences. You and all the others with similar conditions have more than enough problems and don't need these scum to make things tougher.

[mercuryblues]

4. Yes

Which is one reason we chose to go to Johns Hopkins in Maryland. Family and a high vac rate. Unfortunately, patients were coming in and testing positive, infecting the nurses, who passed it on to other patients....

I did get my stem cells harvested in time. A good thing too. Just 1 shot to grow my stem cells cost ...are you sitting down?

$25,000

[TreasonousBastard]

10. Yay, American health care! Best in the world, at a price. Truth is, My father died of a colon...

cancer they knew little about in the 60s but is easily dealt with now, and my stepfather died of pancreatic cancer they've been making great strides on lately.

Science marches on-- not so much the ability to deal with it.

[Ms. Toad]

14. That is roughly the cost for my daughter's infusion every 6-7 weeks. n/t

[mercuryblues]

17. I had a series of shots

The last one was the big Kahuna. Thankfully it worked fast. 2 days later my stem cells were harvested. There were already whispers of shutting down.

Self donating is a lot cheaper than using a donor.

[speech4free]

5. Out of curiousity

I am on the list to receive a liver and a kidney. I have been unable to recieve a vaccination because of the danger it poses to my organs. I feel like your messaging includes me too and I'd like to know why exactly.. I can't help that I can't get vaccinated... And after I spent time talking to people, you'd be surprised how many people have had the desire but can't because of medical reasons..

[mercuryblues]

7. Are you an anti-vaccer?

I was very ill when I was diagnosed and had to wait until I got well enough to handle the vaccine to get it. I got my very 1st jab that afternoon.

I specifically said anti-vaccer. I don't consider people unable to get vaccinated an anti-vaccer. An anti-vaccer is someone who can get the vaccine and refuses to do so for various reasons. The most common one to own the libs

[wnylib]

21. It's more than being anti vaccine.

The anti maskers are spreading omicron. Since even vaccinated people can get it, masks in public are essential.

A couple days ago I was in a store when an unmasked guy got in line at the checkout behind me. I was wearing an N95 and he seemed to be following me around the store before that.

He stood close enough to me in the line that we were almost touching. I stepped back and said, "Excuse me?" I was already annoyed because the cashier's nose was hanging out of her flimsy cloth mask.

The guy backed up, snickering, and said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh yeah. Distancing and all that stuff." Big grin on his face when he mockingly said, "Wouldn't want to get a cough." I said, "You think it's funny? I don't."

He switched to victim mode and said, "Hey lady, take it easy. It's just a cough. No big deal."

I lost it completely and snapped back, " It's a big effing deal to me, you ignorant asshole. It killed my brother and my uncle." I was so angry that I was shaking.

The cashier spoke to him in a sympathetic tone and motioned him to move closer to her. "It's ok. She's leaving. You can come over here until she's gone."

I hate when I let these assholes upset me so much. I wish that I had stayed calm and asked him what was wrong with him to make jokes out of people dying.

[mercuryblues]

24. They are the worst.

I would report the cashier.

[wnylib]

27. Would accomplish nothing

to report the cashier. The store manager routinely walks around the department's with her mask on her neck. I wouldn't go there at all except that they carry things I need at prices I can afford. But I hate going there and get in and out as fast as possible.

There is another store next to them that carries a lot of the same items, but it is closed indefinitely right now due to too many employees out sick.

[mercuryblues]

29. I live in a very small blue enclave in a very red state

They won't force customers to wear masks, but the cashiers are behind plexiglass and wear masks. The grocery store and Drs are the only place I go.

When I was officially in remission, we went and ordered takeout from my favorite restaurant. While waiting for it to cook I had a cocktail at the bar. Yes you can drink with a mask on.

[Celerity]

11. The vax is HIGHLY recommended for people on a transplant waiting list.

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/faq-covid-19-basics-for-transplant-and-other-immunosuppressed-patients

I'm on the transplant waiting list. Should I get the vaccine?

Yes, it is strongly recommended all patients on the transplant list be fully vaccinated prior to transplantation. Once a person is immunosuppressed at the time of transplant, response to a vaccine will be less robust than before.

Are you an antivaxxer?

Also you said:

And after I spent time talking to people, you'd be surprised how many people have had the desire but can't because of medical reasons..

I am calling bollocks. Most are lying through their teeth. Just like the anti-mask fucksticks who falsely claim they have a medical exemption and/or falsely claim they cannot breathe.

[speech4free]

12. There are 100 other questions you could ask but

Instead of trying to understand you just ask if I'm an anti Vaxxer.. I want to take the vaccine but having to be on dialysis weekly not to mention bi monthly biopsies to monitor I was strongly advised against getting unless I would like to chance it with the child dose moderna...

I'm sorry if my personal circustance doesn't line up with what you are able to self educate on by reading articles. I knew I shouldn't have said anything because of how rabid everyone here is. I get more and more embarrassed to call my self a democrat the more and more mobby people act here.

[Celerity]

16. Why should I ask 100 other questions when I can ask one?

I tend to be direct. It is my nature. I certainly was not rude in any way.

I get more and more embarrassed to call my self a democrat the more and more mobby people act here.

I am not in any mob here, so I refuse to accept your characterisation.

If you are embarrassed to call yourself a Dem because we here detest antivaxxers and antimaskers, then perhaps you need to look at yourself and your convictions, not ours.

Welcome to DU

[Dorian Gray]

30. One problem

There is no child dose of Moderna. I'm sure you'll let us know you meant Pfizer, because that's the only vaccine in the USA currently offering a child's dose.

I wish you luck with your transplants when you are able to get them. (Both liver AND kidney? That's really tough.) As everyone should, talk to your doctors and follow their advice re: vaccines and necessary medical interventions.

[Dorian Gray]

32. interesting....

I knew I shouldn't have said anything because of how rabid everyone here is. I get more and more embarrassed to call my self a democrat the more and more mobby people act here.

Maybe Moderna makes a rabies child dose so this will no longer be a problem.

[Ms. Toad]

15. That is really a question which is best left to the transplant physicians

My daughter has a disease which makes it likely that she will need a liver transplant. Although she appears to be on the slow track (with a transplant likely at least a decade away), we are friends with many others with the same disease who are near the top of the transplant list. The recommendations their personal physicians make are not uniform - AND - one of the criteria for remaining on the transplant list is following the directions of the physician and facility which put you on the list in the first place.

So if the transplant physician recommends against vaccination - AND - the patient gets vaccinated against their advice, they risk being removed from the transplant list.

(My daughter's physician recommends vaccination - and she is vaccinated and boosted - but, as I said, the recommendations her peers have received are not uniform.)

[speech4free]

18. This

This was exactly the reason I am in limbo. I am beside myself most days and have had to deal with people close to me treat me as though I'm actively choosing not to... I feel some times like I should just do it and if I die I die.

[mercuryblues]

19. As I said earlier

I get it. I had to wait months before I was healthy enough to get it.

If anyone wanted to visit me they had to be vaccinated and masked and outside.

[Raine]

20. Don't do anything that you feel will put your life at risk no matter what others think about it

it's YOUR LIFE!

[mercuryblues]

25. the people close to me understood why I could not be vaccinated

I even told them if they wanted to visit, they had to be vaccinated and masked.

[littlemissmartypants]

22. There are only two legitimate medical reasons not to get vaccinated.

I recommend you get a second medical opinion because you appear to be getting bad information at this point.

Covid poses significantly more risk to your organs than the vaccine does. I'm concerned that your doctors may be fleecing you or at the very least be quacks.

[Demsrule86]

35. Doctors recommend getting the vaccine. In fact you may not be eligible if not vaccinated.

Vaccination for COVID-19
Given the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in the general population and the increased risk of worse clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in transplant and cellular immunotherapy recipients, the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel (the Panel) recommends COVID-19 vaccination for potential transplant and cellular immunotherapy candidates, potential donors, and recipients (AIII). See the text below for information on the appropriate timing for COVID-19 vaccination in these patients.
A third dose of an mRNA vaccine (given at least 4 weeks after the second dose) is currently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for solid organ transplant recipients who are taking immunosuppressive medications and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients who are within 2 years of transplantation or who are taking immunosuppressive medications.

https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/special-populations/transplant/

[Rhiannon12866]

6. I am so very sorry. And I agree, this didn't need to happen.

Anti-vaxxers making life difficult for all of us, at the very least, and this country should be doing better by now, if not for the hate-filled conspiracy theorist anti-vaxxers who are not only endangering themselves, but every single other human they encounter, family, neighbors, coworkers. But for those who get injured, need surgery or visit a hospital for any reason, it could be lethal.

At least at the local hospital here they dismissed anyone who was not vaccinated by the end of September. My two friends who work there were the first I knew to get vaccinated, they were offered the Pfizer at a major hospital an hour downstate and took advantage - last January. I agree with those who believe those who refuse to get vaccinated should go to the back of the line for health care. And you deserve better - we all do.

[mercuryblues]

8. Thank you.

The nurses in the transplant units are all vaccinated. Omicron...again thanks to AV's we have yet another mutation.

I'll get there. My humor and my patience are wearing thin.

[Rhiannon12866]

9. I certainly don't blame you, it's got to be very frustrating - and scary.

When I had major surgery I was scared witless, but I also chose a great hospital, Mass General in Boston. And you have a great hospital, too, my uncle had surgery there and he was impressed with the place and the staff. Please let us know how you're doing...

[Ms. Toad]

13. I'm right there with you.

I was diagnosed with a myxofibrosarcoma - a very rare and aggressive cancer on December 4, 2020. Because of COVID I was unable to obtain a second opinion from a high volume sarcoma center (MD Anderson is the best). I was unable to travel for a second opinion, and protectionist licensing laws prohibited a tele-medicine consult. So I had do decide whether to undergo radiation therapy based on a single opinion at a sarcoma which is not a high volume center - and a handful of case studies. (This critter is so rare there aren't peer reviewed studies.)

I had to cancel my 1-year follow-up appointments because I had symptoms consistent with COVID (It probably was COVID, but I'll never know for sure). (Follow-up scans are mandatory every 3 months for the first 3 years, since the cancer is so aggressive.) I was able to reschedule the scans a week later - but the post-scan consultation is delayed to February.

During COVID we have missed celebrating:

My parents' 65th anniversary
Our 40th anniversary
My 65th birthday
Our 40th and 41st holiday open house
My parents' 90th birthdays
One Thanksgiving (both rules in my parents' retirement community - and my daughter's exposure to COVID the week ahead of Thanskgiving in 2020)
Two Christmases (one due to rules in my parents' retirement community; one due to my symptoms consistent with COVID)

In addition, I've lost my job. Ultimately I negotiated a retirement, which is a good thing - but it was not voluntary, and required an emergency switch to Medicare - with a potential gap in health care coverage during January. (Publicly, I'm retiring, but everyone I've shared the back-story with is completely mystified at why he is punishing students on his way out the door by depriving them of a decade of bar exam knowledge that does not exist in any concise form within our institution outside of my head.)

So, yeah. For the first time in my life, I am completely unable to forgive people for selfishness and stupidity - because that selfishness and stupidity has both deprived me if the ability to gather with those I love for important events - and is likely to kill me.

[mercuryblues]

28. It all of it. On top of being ill

we have to negotiate a pandemic and being separated from our loved ones. Facetiming my Dad when he died from Covid. I mean WTF.

[BumRushDaShow]

23. Oh no buddy

And you are right - it has been surge after surge after surge but each surge manages to effectively swat away those who have both acute and chronic non-COVID-related health issues that need to be addressed, but there are no beds for them.

I am sending healing thoughts your way and hoping this surge eases where you are (because it isn't uniform, and peaks/wanes in different parts of the country at different times) so you can get the treatment that you need.

[mercuryblues]

26. Thanks for the healing vibes

OMG the wait for an ICU bed when I had the infection? It was crazy. I was taken by ambulance to a hospital, there wasn't a long wait for an ICU bed. But...When I was well enough to be transported to JHH, I had to wait 3 days for an ICU bed there. By that time, I was well enough for a regular bed in their cancer unit. even then I had to wait a day.

[Kaleva]

31. I know a fully vaccinated 86 y/o with serious heart problems stuck in a rural ER

She's' on a waiting list, hoping for a bed to open in a bigger, better equipped hospital where she can be transferred to.

[mercuryblues]

33. prayers to her

[Kaleva]

34. And prayers to you