"For us, education is key when we are talking about family members and friends who may not understand the transplant journey and especially during the holidays. Thankfully, our family and close friends are very supportive and understanding. Of course, it took a bit of time but by explaining the “what ifs” we were able to educate and put things into perspective. We also had to remind them to please stay away, and let us know if someone is sick so we can plan accordingly. It’s very important to always keep Alessandra on top of mind and that a common illness may not be a big deal for them but for us, it maybe hospitalization or even worse. The life and wellbeing of our daughter is in our and their hands so we, as parents, will do everything in our power to keep her safe and healthy even if we have to skip parties or gatherings. We will find a way to have wonderful holiday time while remaining safe and healthy. “

"It's not easy showing grace when others don't understand the extent of your physical dilemma, in my case, not being able to eat by mouth and having an g-tube bag (which I put in a foley bag).  Nonetheless, I gain great satisfaction from creating dishes for my family and loved ones to enjoy.  I love to cook!  I guess it is my hope that this brings them happiness, even if they have reservations toward my condition.

They understand my energy may not match theirs, so they structure opening presents, etc. for short timeframes, allowing me to better participate and be involved."

 "The holiday season intensifies the challenges of managing chronic illness. When you are with loved ones, even though the affection is present, it can be difficult and painful to join in all the festivities. I have had moments during holiday dinners when I retreated to the bathroom to shed tears, only to return with a forced smile and heavy heart. There were also holidays when we had little desire to join in the festivities but felt compelled to do so for the sake of our children. As time went on, I discovered what works for my family to make these holiday gatherings enjoyable. I also learned how to communicate our needs."

"This year I will be celebrating my 8 year transplant anniversary. Over the years my family has continued to be more in tune to my health needs as I make sure to tell them what I need. Last year everyone even took a Covid test before getting together over the holiday. I am grateful my family is so supportive."

"My family has been very understanding of my condition and what I was able and not able to do.  A lot of times they would eat when I wasn’t around or make me a shake or something if I wanted to sit and talk with them all. They always tried to keep everything positive and that is what is most important."

"I've been very lucky. My family is very understanding of my situation. They've been at the hospital with me on multiple occasions.

I'm open about answering any questions they have and have participated in my care."

"For me personally I have been very blessed with a family that does their best to understand. It is hard at times when around family gatherings or groups to help people see that I might not be able to eat or do all that they can. If I explain real simply why and let them know they can always ask questions, it generally puts them at ease. Family dynamics are different for each of us, but most people who care for us just want to make sure we are okay. That sometimes can come off a little rough. Just going in knowing that people are curious and want to help; and then explaining super simply the complications from your health can make all the difference."

Generally, I handle family members who do not understand my illness around the holiday season the same way I handle friends or family who do not understand it the rest of the year!—I try to do the following:

·       set boundaries, be honest and allow myself to do something for just a small bit of the time together if going for the entire time is going to be too much for me; or say no; or give myself the space to reply to a conversation or text when I’m comfortable doing so; or go to the part of a get-together that I’m more comfortable with—maybe the social hour instead of the meal

·       try to take family at face value realizing that sometimes what I interpret as an annoying question or judgement may be their attempt to understand something foreign to them. I find that people who love us tend to want to try to help and some will show this by offering ways to “fix it.” I find it helpful for me to thank them for their suggestions/concern and, sometimes, try to gently and simply explain why something may not have helped, but then to follow it with some things that do sometimes help manage my symptoms. 

·       if food is involved, I try to bring something that I like and might be able to have a bite or sip of if I’m able. And I find that if I put a cracker or something small on my plate and carry a cup around, people assume I’m eating and drinking a bit and don’t notice that I’m not! 

·       realize that many others in my family have significant illnesses or struggles that they are dealing with as well. While few people have the same illness and complications, most people have sufferings that they also struggle with and this can unify us around the holidays, in particular.

The holiday times seem to be a time where the sense of loss is sometimes magnified—loss of the ability to eat or enjoy food, loss of relationships with people when the chronic illness may have come between us in a negative way, loss in the ability to find and use coping skills, loss of symptom control if I opt for a bite of something forgetting what the side effect is, etc. I find it helpful to leave myself the space to grieve the losses. And to refocus on what my goals are such as relationships over food, or the deeper significance and meaning that the holidays tend to have for me, and ways to enjoy them with those I love. The joys that come to me amid the misunderstandings and despite them often are profound.