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bbwishes10
LIF Infant
Member since 6/10 69 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Thanks again everyone.
What DaniRella wrote definitely concerns me as well still. I just feel I cant possibly ask someone to donate a loved ones organs to my child, if I myself wouldn't do it. I feel like its a double standard. But what is meant to be is meant to be.
This is my sons story if anyone is curious.
kidkennelly
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Posted 10/3/14 3:06 PM  |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Message edited 10/3/2014 3:19:43 PM.
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| Posted 10/3/14 3:10 PM |
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PhyllisNJoe
My Box Is Broken
Member since 6/11 9145 total posts
Name:
Phyllis
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
I'm sorry about your son. I know with adults, they can get a partial liver transplant. Is that true for babies as well? Or does he need a full liver?
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| Posted 10/3/14 3:13 PM |
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bbwishes10
LIF Infant
Member since 6/10 69 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Are you an organ donor?
Yup we are looking into living donor. either me or my husband. They only need 20% of the liver. and both donor and recipient will regenerate to full livers. Amazing stuff!
From what I read the whole families being pushed thing and less than quality care are misconceptions. I hope it gets debunked so more people donate.
This is one of the reasons I decided to register as well as the reasons listed before.
There still is that what if its true though. lol
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| Posted 10/3/14 3:23 PM |
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mrsboss
my little love
Member since 12/09 5054 total posts
Name:
Me
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Are you an organ donor?
Very sorry to hear about this diagnosis. Can he accept a living donor transplant from a friend/relative, or must it be a cadaver organ?
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| Posted 10/3/14 3:25 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Posted by bbwishes10
Yup we are looking into living donor. either me or my husband. They only need 20% of the liver. and both donor and recipient will regenerate to full livers. Amazing stuff!
I know someone who did this!!
 To you, your son, and family!!!
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| Posted 10/3/14 3:31 PM |
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ziamaria
I love this boy!
Member since 4/07 3372 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
I am but I've said that I don't want my eye tissue donated. Otherwise, everything else can go, if necessary. My husband and parents feel as a pp said, that they wouldn't get the best care if it was known that they are donors.
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| Posted 10/3/14 4:48 PM |
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SecretlyTTC14
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1770 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
I am sorry to hear about your son 
I am an organ donor.
I've heard people won't register because they think it means they won't get the same care in an emergency then a non-donor would. I have 2 friends that are MD that have worked in the ER and they said that's nonsense. They said they don't care either way if your gonna donate your organs or not. They attempt the same lifesaving efforts on everyone.
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| Posted 10/3/14 6:42 PM |
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
I am.
And I haven't heard of this stigma either.
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| Posted 10/3/14 7:10 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
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Are you an organ donor?
I am a registered organ donor. My brother died suddenly five years ago and we were able to donate some of his organs. He was given amazing care and the EMTs and ER doctors did everything imaginable to treat him- the physicians approached the topic of donation very respectfully.
Prior to this experience I was not registed but my family knew my wishes- being registed makes the process a little easier for the family.
I worked with head injured adults for several years and I NEVER heard of doctors encouraging families to stop life suppot for patients unless they had medical evidence of a patient being brain dead- getting a patient declared brain dead is not an easy thing to do and I cannot see any doctor risking their livelyhood.
Message edited 10/3/2014 7:48:56 PM.
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| Posted 10/3/14 7:46 PM |
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ppm80
LIF Infant
Member since 9/09 336 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
I am not officially an organ donor because of the concerns noted in this article... not because I'm worried doctors would let me die, but because the line between life and death is not very clear. I want my family to have the doctors make absolutely sure that I am absolutely 100% brain dead and not sentient or feeling any pain before my organs are harvested... the criteria to be declared dead enough to begin organ harvesting are a little too lax for my comfort:
WSJ: What You Lose When You Sign That Donor Card
"The exam for brain death is simple. A doctor splashes ice water in your ears (to look for shivering in the eyes), pokes your eyes with a cotton swab and checks for any gag reflex, among other rudimentary tests. It takes less time than a standard eye exam. Finally, in what's called the apnea test, the ventilator is disconnected to see if you can breathe unassisted. If not, you are brain dead. (Some or all of the above tests are repeated hours later for confirmation.)
Here's the weird part. If you fail the apnea test, your respirator is reconnected. You will begin to breathe again, your heart pumping blood, keeping the organs fresh. Doctors like to say that, at this point, the "person" has departed the body. You will now be called a BHC, or beating-heart cadaver.
Still, you will have more in common biologically with a living person than with a person whose heart has stopped. Your vital organs will function, you'll maintain your body temperature, and your wounds will continue to heal. You can still get bedsores, have heart attacks and get fever from infections.
"I like my dead people cold, stiff, gray and not breathing," says Dr. Michael A. DeVita of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "The brain dead are warm, pink and breathing."
You might also be emitting brainwaves. Most people are surprised to learn that many people who are declared brain dead are never actually tested for higher-brain activity. The 1968 Harvard committee recommended that doctors use electroencephalography (EEG) to make sure the patient has flat brain waves. Today's tests concentrate on the stalk-like brain stem, in charge of basics such as breathing, sleeping and waking. The EEG would alert doctors if the cortex, the thinking part of your brain, is still active.
But various researchers decided that this test was unnecessary, so it was eliminated from the mandatory criteria in 1971. They reasoned that, if the brain stem is dead, the higher centers of the brain are also probably dead.
But in at least two studies before the 1981 Uniform Determination of Death Act, some "brain-dead" patients were found to be emitting brain waves. One, from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the 1970s, found that out of 503 patients who met the usual criteria of brain death, 17 showed activity in an EEG.
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But BHCs—who don't receive anesthetics during an organ harvest operation—react to the scalpel like inadequately anesthetized live patients, exhibiting high blood pressure and sometimes soaring heart rates. Doctors say these are simply reflexes.
What if there is sound evidence that you are alive after being declared brain dead? In a 1999 article in the peer-reviewed journal Anesthesiology, Gail A. Van Norman, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Washington, reported a case in which a 30-year-old patient with severe head trauma began breathing spontaneously after being declared brain dead. The physicians said that, because there was no chance of recovery, he could still be considered dead. The harvest proceeded over the objections of the anesthesiologist, who saw the donor move, and then react to the scalpel with hypertension.
It is possible that not being a donor on your license can give you more bargaining power. If you leave instructions with your next of kin, they can perhaps negotiate a better deal. Instead of just the usual icewater-in-the-ears, why not ask for a blood-flow study to make sure your cortex is truly out of commission?
And how about some anesthetic? Although he doesn't believe the brain dead feel pain, Dr. Truog has used two light anesthetics, high-dose fentanyl and sufentanil, which won't harm organs, to quell high blood pressure or heart rate during harvesting operations. "If it were my family," he said, "I'd request them."
Message edited 10/3/2014 8:46:29 PM.
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| Posted 10/3/14 8:37 PM |
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schmora15
LIF Adult
Member since 9/08 2476 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Posted by ppm80
I am not officially an organ donor because of the concerns noted in this article... not because I'm worried doctors would let me die, but because the line between life and death is not very clear. I want my family to have the doctors make absolutely sure that I am absolutely 100% brain dead and not sentient or feeling any pain before my organs are harvested... the criteria to be declared dead enough to begin organ harvesting are a little too lax for my comfort:
WSJ: What You Lose When You Sign That Donor Card
"The exam for brain death is simple. A doctor splashes ice water in your ears (to look for shivering in the eyes), pokes your eyes with a cotton swab and checks for any gag reflex, among other rudimentary tests. It takes less time than a standard eye exam. Finally, in what's called the apnea test, the ventilator is disconnected to see if you can breathe unassisted. If not, you are brain dead. (Some or all of the above tests are repeated hours later for confirmation.)
Here's the weird part. If you fail the apnea test, your respirator is reconnected. You will begin to breathe again, your heart pumping blood, keeping the organs fresh. Doctors like to say that, at this point, the "person" has departed the body. You will now be called a BHC, or beating-heart cadaver.
Still, you will have more in common biologically with a living person than with a person whose heart has stopped. Your vital organs will function, you'll maintain your body temperature, and your wounds will continue to heal. You can still get bedsores, have heart attacks and get fever from infections.
"I like my dead people cold, stiff, gray and not breathing," says Dr. Michael A. DeVita of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "The brain dead are warm, pink and breathing."
You might also be emitting brainwaves. Most people are surprised to learn that many people who are declared brain dead are never actually tested for higher-brain activity. The 1968 Harvard committee recommended that doctors use electroencephalography (EEG) to make sure the patient has flat brain waves. Today's tests concentrate on the stalk-like brain stem, in charge of basics such as breathing, sleeping and waking. The EEG would alert doctors if the cortex, the thinking part of your brain, is still active.
But various researchers decided that this test was unnecessary, so it was eliminated from the mandatory criteria in 1971. They reasoned that, if the brain stem is dead, the higher centers of the brain are also probably dead.
But in at least two studies before the 1981 Uniform Determination of Death Act, some "brain-dead" patients were found to be emitting brain waves. One, from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in the 1970s, found that out of 503 patients who met the usual criteria of brain death, 17 showed activity in an EEG.
[...]
But BHCs—who don't receive anesthetics during an organ harvest operation—react to the scalpel like inadequately anesthetized live patients, exhibiting high blood pressure and sometimes soaring heart rates. Doctors say these are simply reflexes.
What if there is sound evidence that you are alive after being declared brain dead? In a 1999 article in the peer-reviewed journal Anesthesiology, Gail A. Van Norman, a professor of anesthesiology at the University of Washington, reported a case in which a 30-year-old patient with severe head trauma began breathing spontaneously after being declared brain dead. The physicians said that, because there was no chance of recovery, he could still be considered dead. The harvest proceeded over the objections of the anesthesiologist, who saw the donor move, and then react to the scalpel with hypertension.
It is possible that not being a donor on your license can give you more bargaining power. If you leave instructions with your next of kin, they can perhaps negotiate a better deal. Instead of just the usual icewater-in-the-ears, why not ask for a blood-flow study to make sure your cortex is truly out of commission?
And how about some anesthetic? Although he doesn't believe the brain dead feel pain, Dr. Truog has used two light anesthetics, high-dose fentanyl and sufentanil, which won't harm organs, to quell high blood pressure or heart rate during harvesting operations. "If it were my family," he said, "I'd request them."
Same here...
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| Posted 10/3/14 9:15 PM |
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OhBoyorGirl
LIF Adult
Member since 2/12 1789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Yes, I am an organ donor. My brother was killed in an accident, and the one thing that brought peace to my family was knowing that bc he was an organ donor, other families would not have to endure the pain of losing a loved one. And BIL received a kidney and pancreas, from 2 seperate donors, for which we'll always be grateful.
Organs from 1 donor can save or improve the lives of up to 50 people! I can't understand letting them go to waste.
Many prayers for your son's healing. I wish him a short wait. 
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| Posted 10/3/14 9:22 PM |
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Irishgrl13
Fingers Crossed...
Member since 6/09 1301 total posts
Name:
Colleen
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Posted by Kitten1929
I just want to say that this the first I am hearing of any stigma regarding organ donation. I never heard of doctors pushing families to donate organs before.
I completely agree with this....I work in the medical field and to be honest, I have never been made aware of whether or not a patient is a donor. I don't think it is noted anywhere on the patients chart and feel that if a patient is critically/terminally injured, doctors will ALWAYS ask if the person is an organ donor and proceed to try and convince them to donate if they are at that point.
I have heard of a stigma with declaring DNR/DNI and then worrying about a lack of treatment, but I honestly think there is no real backing to the organ donor "stigma"....
To answer the question...I am a registered donor and have been for a while. My DH is adamantly against it for his own reasons. I just don't see any downside to being a donor....why not help save a life???
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| Posted 10/3/14 9:34 PM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Are you an organ donor?
When Princess Di was killed, I was with several of my friends and we all took out our drivers' licenses and signed the back of it. Since then, I have always checked off the box of organ donation. So, my answer is yes.
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| Posted 10/3/14 9:49 PM |
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sunnyflies
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 1757 total posts
Name:
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Are you an organ donor?
No, nobody would want mine. I am a cancer patient.
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| Posted 10/3/14 10:29 PM |
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
I have worked in health care for many years and in particular with TBI.
Even though I haven't heard of this stigma, I know every pt has been up against some kind of crazy, unique, can't make this $hit up situation once they are injured.
I had a caseworker venting to me for almost a half hour yesterday about a situation that should be black and white but everyone around her is making it turn into rocket science to figure out.
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| Posted 10/4/14 7:42 AM |
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WannaBeAMom11
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 7391 total posts
Name:
Name
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Are you an organ donor?
Yes but I also have a DNR and want to be cremated, as does my Dh which everyone in our family is against.
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| Posted 10/4/14 4:51 PM |
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missrock
Beautiful!!!!
Member since 5/06 3808 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Posted by jerseypanda
Absolutely.
If I die and my organs can go to help save other people, take them. I won't need them and there's no sense if them going to waste.
I am also someone who gives blood regularly and I am on the bone marrow registry.
I imagine how I would feel if I ever were in a situation where I needed an organ to survive. I would hope there are people out there who feel the way I do so there is hope.
Exactly. I can't give blood though since I'm anemic but I know how important it is to give blood. I am also on the bone marrow registry. My dad died of leukemia and the amount of blood, platelets, etc. he received was a lot.
I too am a organ donor. When I die there is no need for my organs. I would love for them to go to someone in need.
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| Posted 10/4/14 8:50 PM |
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OaksWife
Girls Rule!
Member since 1/11 1100 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Posted by 2boys1girl
I am, except for my eyes.
I made the decision back when I was probably 19 or 20...I see no need in being buried with something that serves no purpose to me anymore but could save someone else's' life.
This is me exactly. I made the decision around the same time as well.
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| Posted 10/6/14 8:53 AM |
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Pray4Baby2010
<3 Cutest Giants Fan
Member since 10/09 5796 total posts
Name:
MB
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
I am but I am shocked to read above that they don't use pain killers when harvesting organs- that's just barbaric- what if the person can feel pain 
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| Posted 10/6/14 9:18 AM |
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MrsBumbleb
it's me
Member since 5/05 11234 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Yes, I am a donor. My DH is not a fan of it, and thinks that if something were to happen and the hospital knew I was a donor they wouldn't put their best efforts forward in saving me.
I told him I will come back and haunt him if he didn't obey my wishes.
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| Posted 10/6/14 9:41 AM |
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Tulips915
................
Member since 8/08 6851 total posts
Name:
Me
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Are you an organ donor?
No, for religious reasons
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| Posted 10/6/14 9:43 AM |
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ppm80
LIF Infant
Member since 9/09 336 total posts
Name:
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
Posted by Pray4Baby2010
I am but I am shocked to read above that they don't use pain killers when harvesting organs- that's just barbaric- what if the person can feel pain
Yes, that is part of what bothers me... If the person can still feel pain or at least exhibits the measurable external indicators of pain (spiked blood pressure, etc.) then is he or she really dead? I have no problem donating organs but want to have my family control the decision of when to donate the organs and under what conditions.
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| Posted 10/6/14 9:51 AM |
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AScottWolf
I <3 our squish!
Member since 11/10 2237 total posts
Name:
Adriana
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Re: Are you an organ donor?
I am.
God forbid something happens to me and there's no coming back from it, what do I need my viable organs for?
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| Posted 10/7/14 10:57 AM |
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