Why would you choose not to be an organ donor?

[iwrbnd]

I just figured everyone I knew would want to donate their organs and I was sure shocked when my mom (who is very loving and generous) said she didn't want to! You should have seen our whole family just stare at her when she said that! I never would have guessed that and would have donated her organs without a second thought because "she would have wanted it". The only answer she could give is she didn't want to!

 

[luvmy3]

My mom refuses to be a donor. I've told her that if the decision is up to me, she will be one.

Your mother obviously has her reasons, I think thats horribly disrespectful.


I'm a donor but plan on being cremated. I'm not aware of anything stating you can't be a donor of you are being cremated. I hope that if needed, my organs could save a life however I really hope to keep my eyes since they aren't vital to survival. Its a quirk I have, I don't want anyone messing with my eyes even if I'm dead.

 

[iwrbnd]

Your mother obviously has her reasons, I think thats horribly disrespectful.


I'm a donor but plan on being cremated. I'm not aware of anything stating you can't be a donor of you are being cremated. I hope that if needed, my organs could save a life however I really hope to keep my eyes since they aren't vital to survival. Ita quirk I have, I don't want anyone messing with my eyes even if I'm dead.

I agree about my mom, we're still working on her! It must be her quirk like you don't want your eyes messed with. She said she didn't want her body messed with. I think she'll come around. She's an ol' Kansas farm girl and it's so foreign to her that she hadn't really given it much thought!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Donating blood doesn't bother me... as in gross me out, but I did it once at college and nearly passed out for the rest of the day. It was pretty bad too, cause I'd fallen asleep on the couch in an area, wake up for a few minutes, the fall back asleep. I think I slept for like 4hrs before I had enough energy to leave. I don't regret the experience, I just don't want to live through it again.

I donate blood on a semi regular basis. It doesn't bother me, actually it makes me feel good about myself. But I have gotten myself in trouble with being weak and sick once, too. I donated in the morning, lounged around all day. I drank some, but not enough water throughout the day. That night, I decided I wanted a cocktail. and after drinking it I was walking in my bedroom and almost passed out! I was home alone with my kids, so it was really scary. Then I remembered donating,

and lay down for a couple of minutes. Needless to say, I now skip the cocktail on donation day.

Now I just use donation day as an excuse to lay around and do nothing all day.

 

[lillygator]

I don't want to be harvested....neither does DH...and yes, in theory, the Dr's are supposed to be working to save your life, doesn't always happen that way.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Here in Chile, they recently passed a law so that EVERYONE is considered an organ donor unless you specifically put yourself on a registry declaring that you are against it. I was quite surprised (but pleased) that there seemed to be little opposition to it!

I would imagine that this will greatly increase the number of available organs in this country. As far as my organs and tissue go, when my time comes please take whatever can be used, and then throw the rest on the fire.

 

[java]

A friend went through this with his daughter. She was 12. Accidental death. They were in shock. During that time they were approached for organ donation. They start small- asking for things like - liver, lung tissue, heart as you say yes they ask for other parts- cornias then skin. It was a situation that they were hoping would bring them some relief but it ended up causing them more pain. The constant asking for more and more led to a final breakdown. And then no more of her little tiny body was taken.

I don't know if I could do that. It's a wonderful thing to give to another person. I don't know if I would be strong enough to do it. They need a family witness as they take body parts. Her aunt had to sit there while they took her apart.
It's a noble thing. And one that is a wonderful gift to give. Just a very difficult one to give.

 

[iwrbnd]

I don't want to be harvested....neither does DH...and yes, in theory, the Dr's are supposed to be working to save your life, doesn't always happen that way.

My husband is a physician and he says they would work hard to save your life whether you're an organ donor or not. Actually, he said they don't even know if you're an organ donor when they're working on you.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I think you can be cremated after donating organs. I plan on being cremated, the planet is running out of room, seriously. And it's so much cheaper. Spend the money on me when I'm alive, preferably by taking me to WDW!

Yes you may be cremated. The patients that I have had who donated their body to science are cremated and the remains given to whoever they want them to go to.

I plan to donate my organs if they are useful. I have thought about the idea of donating to science. They cover the cost of the cremation when you donate. I find it somewhat disgusting how much funerals/burials cost. Have a party, or better yet take a family vacation, and throw me in the ocean!!

 

[mumom95]

I have a question for people that say they will not be organ donors. Does this mean you would refuse an organ transplant for yourself, knowing you would be accepting something that you in turn would not be willing to give someone else in need? Would you refuse an organ for your child if they needed one?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

They need a family witness as they take body parts. Her aunt had to sit there while they took her apart.

I've never heard of that before, it would be a surgical situation so the family member would need to be in proper surgical attire (it's not like they just do it in the middle of a patient room).

You do often need a witness to sign the paperwork, but that is for legality, no one needs to sit in the room when it occurs.

 

[C.Ann]

I would be more than willing (providing I had anything left that was still able to be used) - but for some reason my one adult DD has a problem with my doing so.. Every now and then I bring it up and try to sway her opinion, but so far no luck.. Her main objection is in donating my heart - although I'm not sure why.. If there were a way of signing something saying they could take everything except that one organ, I'd be happy to sign it, but as far as I know there's only a box on my drivers license agreeing to donate "all" organs..

Is there something else I could have on file somewhere?

 

[NikitaZee]

I have a question for people that say they will not be organ donors. Does this mean you would refuse an organ transplant for yourself, knowing you would be accepting something that you in turn would not be willing to give someone else in need? Would you refuse an organ for your child if they needed one?

If I needed an organ transplant, I'm positive that I'd gratefully accept whatever I needed. For any of my children - 1000x more so.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If I needed an organ transplant, I'm positive that I'd gratefully accept whatever I needed. For any of my children - 1000x more so.

But would you turn around and offer the same to someone else? I think that was the point for the question.

Not calling you selfish, but I think the question implies that some people would be glad to take but not offer, and that would be selfish.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I would be more than willing (providing I had anything left that was still able to be used) - but for some reason my one adult DD has a problem with my doing so.. Every now and then I bring it up and try to sway her opinion, but so far no luck.. Her main objection is in donating my heart - although I'm not sure why.. If there were a way of signing something saying they could take everything except that one organ, I'd be happy to sign it, but as far as I know there's only a box on my drivers license agreeing to donate "all" organs..

Is there something else I could have on file somewhere?

Most definitely have advanced directives on file. Make sure the person you name to carry out your wishes will do what you would have wanted, and make sure the directives reflect exactly whatever you wish--as far as life sustaining procedures, end of life decisions, and organ donation . We have the issues ALL the time at work...in some states all the children have to agree, in others it is the majority when there are not advanced directives.

 

[NikitaZee]

But would you turn around and offer the same to someone else? I think that was the point for the question.

Not calling you selfish, but I think the question implies that some people would be glad to take but not offer, and that would be selfish.

I answered previously in this thread - I'd donate with the exception of my heart or eyes. Would I accept a heart or eyes if I needed them? Yes. Does that makes me selfish or hypocritical? I don't think so. I don't see this as a tit-for-tat type of thing.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I answered previously in this thread - I'd donate with the exception of my heart or eyes. Would I accept a heart or eyes if I needed them? Yes. Does that makes me selfish or hypocritical? I don't think so. I don't see this as a tit-for-tat type of thing.

I guess we think differently on this, because if I am willing to take, I should be willing to give.

 

[IloveDMB]

Her aunt had to sit there while they took her apart.

That is straight up untrue. And honestly, it disgusts me to even see that put out there. An organ harvest is done in the OR, where only authorized personnel are allowed.

The only OR I've ever seen family members allowed in is during a c-section, and then only one family member is allowed.

 

[nmmom95]

Wow! There are so many misconceptions about organ donation. The waiting list for a kidney in my region is currently 5 years. If more people were willing to be donors, that would be significantly reduced. I've only been on the waiting list for a year.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Wow! There are so many misconceptions about organ donation. The waiting list for a kidney in my region is currently 5 years. If more people were willing to be donors, that would be significantly reduced. I've only been on the waiting list for a year.

Education is the only cure for ignorance.