| Author | Message | ||
     Panhead_dan |
I started this thread for two reasons. First, I did not want to hijak the other thread and also wanted to draw folks who wanted to post about this subject away from that one to this one. The other reason is a question to anyone who may have input; Would it be worthwhile to any potential recipients for me to become a donor? I mean, I am waaay old and I have been hard on this whole body for like, my whole life. I don't have aids or anything but lets face it, at my ripe old age there are systems failing. I grew up in a time and place where drugs were the norm, though I've never had a monkey on my back. Would my parts even be wanted or needed? I would really like it if some part of me could help someone who needed it but I don't want to fool myself either. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Make them available, and let the docs decide when the time comes. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
What Rat said. I have several of friends that are around today because someone made that decision. I'm tracking with you though - I think my own parts may be pretty worthless at my age and due to personal history. But, if someone can use them when I leave, well fine, glad to be of some help. | ||
| Metra6924 |
I agree with Ratbuell. I don't know which parts of me are viable, but they're available if needed. A good friend of mine had a heart transplant a few years ago. He was fortunate that one was available. One floor below my office is an eye bank. I don't know much about them, but it seems there's quite a demand for their services. Long story short, you never know what's needed or when. | ||
| Bartimus |
I agree with Joe. I'm sure I've lived the same life as Dan, I decided long ago to be a donor. Better for my parts to end up somewhere doing some good than cremated and blowing like dust in the wind... | ||
| Aesquire |
Yes, be a donor. It's selfless, you don't get any praise or credit in life, but in death families may bless you. ( Does it matter what your beliefs are? Not really, they will still thank you even if you don't know it ) You'd be surprised what they can use, and how. Just be general about it. I've specified I'm to be used for parts and/or as a teaching aid. Don't care if they shoot me out of a cannon. Nearest local teaching hospital. Happy to have me. Don't mind waiting. ( it also saves my family a bunchaton of money, but that's just icing ) | ||
| Ulyranger |
I wasn't kind to my body in my youth but when my wife needed a kidney, hey it still works great.......so does the one i kept. When I finally kick it my entire body is up for grabs as far as i am concerned. The potential to extend, or enhance someone else's life is worth it to me. Organ donation is an awesome thing. Make your wishes well known and documented. Let the professionals decide whats viable when that time comes. BTW, my "extra" kidney is functioning well in it's adopted body in it's 13th year. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I have always had the pink dot on my license. The doctors can cut out whatever they need, and my wife can burn up the rest. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Thank you all for your input here. I want you all to know that I did it. Just now. I am now officially a donor, registered with the state of Oregon. I did not make this decision lightly either, even though it may seem like it from this thread. I've thought about it for years but had my doubts about it as expressed above. I did it now because of the other thread. What's happening to that beautiful little girl is nothing short of a miracle. That and because it's the right thing to do. I can see that now. Thanks again. Dan It's kinda strange- I prayed for her and I was changed. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Outstanding. If only everyone saw the light  | ||
| Iamike |
I am not sure of the other thread you mention but I'll tell you of my experience. I have (or had) a sister 4 years my younger. She loved life, was a great sister and a good Christian.She married after college and had a daughter. When her daughter was 7 my sister and her husband went hiking in Estes Park Colorado, where she worked one summer at the Y camp. She was very short of breath while in the mountains and chocked it up to the altitude. After getting back to Minnesota she still had breathing problems. The doctor told her that her lungs were failing and she could only live if she had a lung transplant. One night the phone call came and she received lungs from a young man killed in a vehicle accident. The first year was rough but she came around and did pretty well for the next four. Then her body started rejecting the lungs and the next two were hell for her. When told that she was going to need another transplant she turned it down and died peacefully. What I remember is a person who never complained about what she was going through even though she knew what was coming. Even though she didn't make it she gave us 7 years more to spend time and talk. Because of her strength I never complain about how I feel when things aren't going well. I will be forever gratefull to that family that donated their son's organs so that others can give their families some time. By all means, sign up. | ||
| Whatever |
I don't need it after I am gone... always been a donor for whatever anyone can use... | ||
| Iamike |
Char, agreed. Very selfish to take them with us. | ||
| Prior |
The other thread is here http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/699630.html?1354150607 and was brought on by friends of mine (better than an oil argument). I've learned so so much more about organ transplants over the past week... To Mike with the bike from Iowa: - transplants are a constant chemical battle between 1) a recipients immunio system and keeping the person healthy with the bombardment of viruses and bacteruim that we live with day to day and 2) the body trying to reject a heart, liver, kindey etc that is keeping it alive, but just doesn't quite fit, so it'll fight it. This floored me. I had no idea. So that's one part- managing the cycle of drugs to maintain a healthy person and ward off viruses, but also try to keep rejection at bay. My understanding is that is's not a perfect union, however- heart transplants today are expected to last 20 years until rejection sets in. I've made the request to learn more about other organs as well- know there are a lot of variables there. There's progression in science every day though, and hopefully antirejection drugs will continue to develop. For Dan: Becoming a donor is the most important step. There are so many things that go into finding a 'right' organ that requires a large donor base. Age, size, blood type, condition all play into factor, as well as when a donation is needed and distance to a recipient all come into play. It's really a one in a million opportunity for a recipient, so every opportunity we give them stacks their odds. Fantastic post, sir, and there are folks out there that are thankful for donors (I'm one as well). (Message edited by awprior on December 05, 2012) | ||
| Ratbuell |
Rejection is always a possibility. Catch is...it takes time. Time the patient wouldn't otherwise have had, with their families...their loved ones...their friends. Is it a perfect scenario? Absolutely not. But the fact that medical science allows us to do this in the first place is amazing. And, it gives the patient a choice. A choice they may not have had initially. Food for thought - driving down the road, get hit by a car. Massive organ failure and injuries. No choice, in the old days...they're gone. We're sorry to see them go, and they have all sorts of loose ends and "things they never got to say" to the people they love. Nowadays - they go into surgery. Possibly get a donor organ. Spend time in rehab, have a regimen of anti-rejection drugs, and have to adjust their life somewhat...but they have TIME. They have a choice, should the organ get rejected, whether to let (continually advancing) science have another shot...or to tie up those loose ends, and say all those things, and go peacefully under their own terms. I've been dead once already. Time...is EXTREMELY under-rated. Here's an exercise. For EVERYONE who's reading this. What did you do yesterday? All of it - from getting out of bed, to going back to bed. Catalog all of it, good, bad, indifferent. Important or trivial. Catalog it all and itemize it. Do the same for the whole week. Now...what if you didn't have the time to do any of that? What if you missed it all? If your loved ones missed it all? Even the "trivial" stuff...isn't so trivial, once you realize you might not be able to do it tomorrow. I've been there. I've lost a lot in the process, and I've gained a lot. But...I still have time. For whatever reason, I got kicked back to earth to do it again (and maybe get it right this time, I dunno). And most importantly...I have TIME to keep at it, and make my choices when they come up. Unless the medical field has changed, I don't think organ transplants are a 'hey, you're going to be good as new and live a long full life' situation, and they don't "advertise" them that way. They are merely a chance for a person to have some more time on this earth, to spend with the ones they love. Does that time increase with every medical advance? Absolutely. But when it comes down to it...even an "extra" week with a loved one can make all the difference in the world. | ||
| Kyrocket |
I don't want to take up real estate. In our small town the finest lots overlooking the city are littered with small concrete monuments all but forgotten. I don't want that! I've taken up enough room as it is, I don't want to put a burden on family that's left every birthday, Memorial day, date of death, etc saying well, we need to go visit pops. Just remember me! I've looked into medical science, donating, and it's stricter than you'd think; not too tall, not too fat, they're kinda picky but right now I fit their mold. Both my wife's maternal grandparents did and that's what got me thinking about it, although they donated to Louisville and someone of the BIG BLUE NATION couldn't do that even after death Take what you can, donate the rest if they'll have it then incinerate the rest and let my ashes float down the Green River, let my soul roll on up to the Rochester Dam. "For EVERYONE who's reading this. What did you do yesterday?" Excellent question, I've put if off for a while and I need to get back into it but I keep a journal, have for a few years now, for my kids. Two or Three nights a week I'll write down what we've done, special events, happenings at school, somewhat trivial events; for now. I hope that in 30 years or after I'm gone they'll look back and read what dear ol' dad took the time to write about them and know that I loved them dearly. I would lay my life down tomorrow so that they could live more, hope not to, but I would. Thirty years from now I hope they're saying, "hey, remember that night we went out to eat on December 6, 2012 and this happened?", "yeah, hard to believe that was 30 years ago today". Just remember me! Brian Jones 1942-69 When this you see, remember me and bear me in your mind Let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find (Message edited by Kyrocket on December 06, 2012) | ||
| Hootowl |
I'm a donor. A body is an empty vessel. | ||
| F22raptor |
After a 5 yr. terrible illness related to excess brake-cleaner exposure, I received a kidney-liver transplant 8 weeks ago. I am a new person and i am doing everything I can to make the people around me live in a better world. Is donation worth it, ask my wife of 23yrs and 3 kids....It is more than a gift of life, it allows you to in a way, live on and change many lives! Pic is my wife and daughter..Would you want to leave them behind?  | ||
| Babired |
my Dad was an organ donor he died of lung cancer, it spread to his other organs, he died in 1999. He gave sight to another blind living person. It is a true gift. I am a organ donor because of him. | ||
| Drkside79 |
Also a note on this. ALWAYS MAKE YOUR WISHES KNOWN TO THOSE AROUND YOU. You wallet isn't always with you. They will ask your spouse or child. If they delay the organs will be no longer viable. Eyes veins sure but no heart liver ect. | ||
| U4euh |
Do it! I myself am on the list for Kidney transplant. My typical week of dialysis is on Mon, Wed and Fridays. What does it mean? Don't plan long trips that you cant schedule dialysis for, start a month in advance at a minimum for planning that. Don't plan anything after a day at dialysis because "normally" you feel like wormed over dog $#!^. Dialysis is my "girlfriend" as my wife puts it, she cannot make any long term plans because of it and the un known. I had a transplant back in 2004, it lasted for 5 years. Would I change it if I knew the outcome, a resounding HELL NO. Those were the best 5 years of my life bar none. I can go on & on & on & ON about the advantages you give someone with the donation of an organ. But what I cannot describe is the LIFE that you give them. What are you gonna need it for anyway? ANd like someone else has posted, and this is for everyone if you have chosen to do this, make sure everyone in your immediate family has been made aware of your wishes. Not only does it help someone elses life, BUT it also makes it easier to cope with your passing when they are defending your wishes. | ||
| U4euh |
PS- Great on you for even considering it, PM off line if you have any questions or concerns | ||
| Thumper74 |
I'm an organ donor. I never saw the sense taking something I can't use when I'm dead. | ||
| Ulywife |
I've been an organ donor since I was 16 and got my first drivers license. I am a Mom to 3 children and hope that I never loose them, but I've made it clear that in my right and clear mind, my children's organs will be donated should something ever happen to them. I fear that at the time of a tragedy, I may not be clear headed and would not make the right decision. As for U4euh...we are so thankful that he received the gift of life. Had he not, we may have never met him or his family. We continue to pray for a 2nd donor, as he has much more life left in him and we have roads to ride Make your wishes known to your friends and family members. Don't depend on one person to be your voice when you can no longer speak for yourself. You never know when you or someone in your family might be on the receiving end of an organ donation. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
My wife donated a kidney to her brother. We recently celebrated the anniversary of the thirteenth year since the transplant. He looks better than ever. | ||
| Fb1 |
Dan, you wrote these words earlier in this thread: What's happening to that beautiful little girl is nothing short of a miracle. ...it's the right thing to do. I can see that now...It's kinda strange- I prayed for her and I was changed. Those are powerful words, sir. Thank you for writing them, thank you for praying for Miss Olivia, thank you for deciding to become a donor, and thank you for bringing a tear to this old man's eye. Best, Ferris | ||
| Xdigitalx |
When it comes to organ donating... I am pro choice. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Ferris, You are welcome, sir. You should know that I had eye problems when I wrote it. May God bless you. More prayers sent for Olivia. | ||
| Preybird1 |
+100 on being a donor. I am a donor and i want to be cremated and not buried taking up space in the ground. If my guts are needed then "They shall have them" I have no need of them anymore. I had a friend that was on dialysis and it was the worst ever, So many visits and always so tired before and after. I would hope to god i got a transplant if it was needed!! | ||
| F22raptor |
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| Hybridmomentspass |
when i was 15 and got my learners permit I did not opt to be an organ donor. My dad asked me if I did as soon as we got to the parking lot. He then went on to tell me about his two cousins, Greg and Larry. Both were born blind, both had transplanted eyes. While one lives fairly normal, his eyesight isnt perfect so he doesnt drive at night etc The other has a perfectly normal life. I had no idea people so close to me had benefited from organ donors. So six months later when I got my DL I made sure to check "yes" in that box. be an organ donor. If youre dead then what do you need it for? But you can keep someone else with their loved ones for years, decades. I think to not be an organ donor is extremely selfish | ||
| F22raptor |
There is one thing they didn't tell you about in the work-up and testing prior to organ-transplant....It happened to me before somebody told me what it was called. Cellular-memory! Yes, you feel, taste and look at things differently as you now have someone else s DNA inside you and processing so much of your metabolism. If anybody wants any examples, Ask! B.T.W..My surgery was only 6hrs (normally over12). I was walking the first day and home in 4! I resumed normal activity in a week,Yep, modern medicine is amazing! |
