Being Immuno Compromised During the Pandemic

     Not many people know this about me, but I've come to notice that when I tell people it's often a very good conversation starter. I'm Immuno compromised, and that pretty much means I have a compromised immune system. When I was about 5 I was diagnosed with a blood disorder that killed off my platelets. I spent days, weeks, and months in hospitals trying to find a way to fix me. A splenectomy (removal of the spleen) was always on option, but the idea of surgery freaked my 5 year old mind out. After 6 years of treatments not working, I finally decided I needed the surgery. We took out my spleen April 14th 2014. To sum it up, the surgery didn't work either. I'm a lot healthier than I was when I was younger, but now I lack both a spleen and platelets. A spleen is part of the immune system. I get sick super easy and I'm more susceptible to illnesses, especially the Corona Virus. 

    When COVID-19 first became a big issue, I took it seriously. I stayed home, I social distanced, I even missed out of big events like my best friend's graduation. I was scared, but nowhere near how scared I am now. After speaking with my doctors and reading up on other people who are immuno compromised and their experience with COVID, all my fears became even bigger. My situation has many similarities to an article I read about Courtney Lynn. Now I am not nearly as sick as her nor do I have the same issues. Although if we both catch the virus, we will most likely have to be hospitalized and may never fully recover and be left will life long problems. My immune system just really can't handle Corona Virus. 

    Since many places have opened back up, I'm in school again, and I work now, I take so many precautions. I double up on masks, I'm constantly washing my hands to the point where my skin is so dry from the amount of soap I use, and I make sure to stay far far away from people in public. Covid has ruined a lot for me, but I'd rather be healthy than sitting in a hospital bed. I've been in too many hospital beds to be in one again from a virus that came from a bat.