George Best

[UKDEB]

Well given these other conditions are not self-inflicted, i would have to disagree IMHO.

Well, of course, there is an argument that alcoholism is a disease like any other, so maybe it's not self-inflicted. I do understand your viewpoint, I'm just not sure that I subscribe to it. I don't like to play God.

 

[UKDEB]

When anyone comments on it he says: "Well it doesn't make me a bad person". I don't understand the thinking behind that. No, it doesn't make them a bad person but why would you continue with self-destructive behaviour when you've been given a second (or third) chance?

My Dad was a heavy drinker and smoker and died of a stroke at age 65. I gave him a really hard time, but he was just human. We're all fallible. Goodness knows I'm less than perfect in many ways. Live and let live. Try to support your friend in any way you can.

 

[#1MMFan]

I don't want to play God either, and I don't envy those that have to decide, but you can see there must be people with hereditary conditions who must be upset (as would their families) that they are not given a liver ahead of an alcoholic. Same with those who have overdosed on paracetamol or the likes, tho the chances of a liver are slightly less with that given the timescale.

 

[UKDEB]

I don't want to play God either, and I don't envy those that have to decide, but you can see there must be people with hereditary conditions who must be upset (as would their families) that they are not given a liver ahead of an alcoholic. Same with those who have overdosed on paracetamol or the likes, tho the chances of a liver are slightly less with that given the timescale.

We could go on like this forever, but I guess we've just got different points of view. Like I said, I do understand what you're saying, I just don't agree!

 

[diberry]

My Dad was a heavy drinker and smoker and died of a stroke at age 65. I gave him a really hard time, but he was just human. We're all fallible. Goodness knows I'm less than perfect in many ways. Live and let live. Try to support your friend in any way you can.

We are always there for him - he knows that. I just feel like if I could get inside his mind I might be able to stop him throwing his life away - but probably not. Just have to enjoy his company while we've got him!!

 

[Boss Hogg]

but you can see there must be people with hereditary conditions who must be upset (as would their families) that they are not given a liver ahead of an alcoholic

But at the same time, do yo think that they would be any less upset if they were 2nd behind ANYONE else?

Unfortunately and very sadly, I would imagine that there are less donors than required, so therefore someone must be first and someone last on the list. As you say a terrible decision to have to make.

 

[#1MMFan]

I don't know. I appreciate your point of view Deb, I'm just being devil's advocate here. There really isn't an answer to this. It's a nightmare to make that kind of decision. You are right... we could all debate this forever.. but it is interesting to debate.

 

[AlanUK]

Every life is equally precious IMO.

I am sure there are many criteria that have to be fulfilled in order to recieve any sort of transplanted organ and that wherever possible decisions of the heart are removed within the process for those people that have to make such decisions. I am glad I am not one of them.

At the risk of getting back on topic

George Best was a great footballer was loved and admired by millions for his talent. He also leaves behind a family who have had to suffer a tremendous amount of strain and heartache as his condition deteriorated over the last couple of months. My thoughts are with them at this very sad time. Rest in Peace George.

 

[mrs-mac]

This is quite a difficult subject, that gets different reactions out of people. l just wonder how the donor's family would feel now if they knew that their loved ones organ had been donated to George Best. Everyone is entitled to medical care but if your given a 2nd chance at life, please dont waste it!

R.I.P

 

[Cochise]

Ah come on people.

I have mixed feelings.
He was an awesome footballer but no role model. He was a great personality but had questionable medical treatment.

There are things we liked about George and things we dont. But hey the guy has died today and now is not the time to debate whether he should have got a liver. And any of you on either side of this, my sister died of Liver cancer recently and so did a good friend of mine's Father and neither got a transplant.
BUT I can look past this.

Lets respect him for who he was and what he gave to so many in his good days. I am a Liverpool supporter and there is one thing we are proud of every last oneof us Redmen- Its knowing a great player when we see one.

George RIP

 

[#1MMFan]

Ah come on people.

I have mixed feelings.
He was an awesome footballer but no role model. He was a great personality but had questionable medical treatment.

There are things we liked about George and things we dont. But hey the guy has died today and now is not the time to debate whether he should have got a liver. And any of you on either side of this, my sister died of Liver cancer recently and so did a good friend of mine's Father and neither got a transplant.
BUT I can look past this.

Lets respect him for who he was and what he gave to so many in his good days. I am a Liverpool supporter and there is one thing we are proud of every last oneof us Redmen- Its knowing a great player when we see one.

George RIP

Sure, sure, no prob, I agree. I would imagine that the reason your sister and your friend's father didn't get a transplant was probably because cancer of the liver tends to be a metastasis as opposed to a primary disease of the liver, therefore most likely (altho' forgive me if i'm wrong) the cancer was also disseminated elsewhere in the body. But you are right, we shall keep on topic, and I'm only saying this to perhaps give one reason why your sister etc didn't receive a transplant. I'm sorry that you had this sorrow too.

 

[natalielongstaff]

i agree with rob, the guy was a legend as a footballer and will be missed by many.
my thoughts go to his family at such a sad time

 

[shellbell]

Very sad news, may he now rest in peace.

 

[Goofyish]

It's time to remember all the great things that George achieved in his career rather then dwell on his mistakes
I hope that young footballers today would get help and support from their club and mentors to prevent such a tragic waste of tallent happening again.

My thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Ive yet to see Alex Best being interviewed about her thoughts on the man....she could maybe recall all the times he beat her up or his extra marital affairs with ropey women down his local.
Class player from the clips ive seen.....I was only born in 1970 so have no memory of his playing days, unlike it would seem all the people Sky interviews outside Old Trafford, some of who looked much younger than me. Strange that.

 

[Joanne UK]

I've no doubt that Alex Best is negotiating a mega bucks deal for her story as we speak.

 

[mushumadness]

he was a legend along time ago, and he will be missed in sporting history, but there is always going to be the debate of whether he should have got that transplant,

 

[rpbert1]

Sad when anyone passes away, but to be controversial here, I do wonder how he managed to get two liver transplants (so I've been told) and still managed to wreck them both. His passing was on the cards for sometime now.

I think you will find he had 1 liver transplant in 2002. and the transplant wasok, and the transplanted liver worked fine .
what killed him was infection, not from the liver, but from the tablets you have to take to stop the rejection, so his immune system being non existent he would be prone to infection.
Also Alcoholism is a terrible disease , and unless you have any knoweledge of it, i think people dont understand just how bad it can be, and with George he was in a position where people would automatically buy him a drink , and while we all say just refuse it , remember he is an alcholic, also his mother died from her alcohol addiction, so maybe there is an argument that many say alcolism is hereiditary
I am a Liverpool fan, and i have had the privelege of watching George play many times , and also being from NI watched him play here as well, and was never disappointed, many say he wasted his career and maybe he could have played for a few more years, but this guy played 433 times for Man U, [more than some players who play their whole career], he brought a lot of joy and i will always remember many of his performances.
and one of his quotes i laughed at was, " in 1969 i gave up women and drinking, and it was the worst 20 minutes of my life"

RIP GEORGE

 

[VSL]

Sad news, and I hope he's in a better place now.

But, saying that, I'm suprised he lasted this long.
Yes, alcoholism is a kind of 'disease', but it is at least partially self-inflicted.

I have very mixed feelings about the whole transplant thing and I'll leave it at that.

 

[#1MMFan]

Thanks for your insight, rpbert1. You are somewhat preaching to the converted as I'm in the medical profession. I did actually write in my original post that I was told he'd had 2 transplants, in order to make it clear I could be wrong about that. I have very mixed feelings about the extent of media coverage over the guy's illness and that's all I'll say. Period.