Powered By Plasma Colin Seal, Lisa Massey

The holidays can be a tough and stressful time in normal circumstances. Add a chronic illness in the middle of a global pandemic, and now we are talking good reality tv level drama.

Lisa, Nancy, and Colin share what the holidays have been like for their families over the last several years and discuss what new traditions they have developed throughout the pandemic. Throw in Lisa's knowledge of ham and Nancy's disdain for Elf on a Shelf, and you have a complete guide to surviving the holidays while prioritizing your health and setting boundaries where needed.

We hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday, no matter what it looks like this year for you and your family.

Lisa and Colin welcome Nancy Dalin-Peters to Immune Competence. Nancy joins the episode and brings an article that different friends sent to her about the announcement of the new prophylactic monoclonal antibody treatment to help fight COVID-19.

In this discussion, the group discusses the difference between the emergency use approval and full FDA approval for a product, the purpose and different types of monoclonal antibody treatment, and who is approved to start using the product as of right now.

An important reminder is that you should always consult your medical teams about treatment options. We are simply sharing and discussing our own research and breaking down what we, as three members of the PI community, do before contacting our own medical teams. This is not meant to be medical advice.

We wrap up our conversation with Jodi Taub, LCSW and member of the PI community, with some practical advice to help you talk with the folks around you and find some gratitude and positivity as the PI community continues to be left behind in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, shout out to all the caregivers and partners, whatever that looks like for you, friend, family, spouse, pet, or neighbor. You are along for this crazy ride, and we cannot do it without you. So we know you may not always understand what we go through, and it may even be frustrating for you at times, but we are so grateful for you as a community!

Just when it looked like there was a light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 pandemic, Public Officials started to roll back mask mandates and other protections. Now the Delta variant is causing positive cases to increase and prolonging our hope for normalcy.

Jodi Taub, LCSW, rejoins Colin and Lisa to discuss the anxiety and stress those in the PI community continue to live with during the pandemic. She also provides some ways to help us deal with the ever-changing environment around us.

Jodi Taub, LCSW, is a psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience, and she is a member of the Primary Immunodeficiency community. She specializes in treating issues related to mood and anxiety disorders, and the emotional issues that arise from coping with chronic illness and disease.

Jodi talks with Colin and Lisa, co-Founders at ImmuneCompetence.org about living with primary immunodeficiency, the importance of mental health and how COVID-19 is amplifying all everything.

You can find Jodi online at www.joditaubtherapy.com or on Instagram @chronicillnesstherapist.