Organ donation - 2 questions

That really does need the wisdom of Solomon. We are asking doctors to decide which people are most valuable, but I know it has to be done. I believe organ donations dropped for a while after seat belts were made compulsory.

jeni - that really goes against the grain! (to me)

If you have two people who are equal, would you chose the one who gives in at the slightest hurdle or the one faces up to challenges and tries to over ome then?

Overcome!

Yes, I can see the logic, jeni, but given the two people given in granjura's hypothetical example I would imagine they would both have the same will to live! Subjecting them to psychological tests to see who would end up the 'winner' (possibly due to some perceived lack of get-up-and-go on the part of the 'loser') seems inhumane. There would be a brisk business in 'donor-recipient coaching' going on....

They don't do formal testing. It's done by observation!

Yes to 1, No to 2. I am happy for any of my organs which still work to be used when I am dead and I have told my family so, and carry a donor card. I must admit, though, to being a bit concerned about the donor register which is being pushed at every possible opportunity. So far I am still using my organs and don't feel happy about putting them on a list to be used. This is silly and irrational, I know, but there it is. Does anyone else feel the same?

That's even more sinister, jeni!

No! How would you do it? There probably isn't any right way.

I agree - I have no answers!

Yes to 1

No to 2

A difficult issue and decision, I know. But if both have the same chances of survival, the same family and psychological profile - the same everything.
How do doctors decide?

I made the point as i think it would be a deciding factor in more people putting themselves on the register, and talking to their relatives about their wishes. My OH and children (adults) know that I want them to VOLUNTEER immediately to the medical staff- so no time is wasted which would put a safe transplantation at risk.

I just don't get it, that some people would be happy for themselves or their loved ones to receive an organ from a donor, and not see the essential need for organs, and therefore not volunteer by carrying the card and ask relatives to volunteer.

There is a huge shortage of donor organs out there, and people are dying, day in, day out - because of this.

I don't think it should be up to a doctor/psychologist to decide if someone is "right" for a transplant, apart from clinical need and a biological match.

I agree, absent.

They call 3people in to prep them for each kidney while they decide which is the best match. If someone is more at risk without it than the others then that person gets it. At least that was how they did it when my DH was waiting for one.
I should imagine the hypothetical situation outlined would hardly ever if ever happen.
I remember one occasion when oh was called in for a possible transplant the kidney from Glasgow didn't xmatch with anyone called in. The rumour went round the nearest match was with a bottle of malt. It was St. Andrews night!

Seriously though, it is very stressful to be called in, prepped and wait for up to 10hours only to be sent home at the end. Luckily this only happened twice to us. It was third time lucky.

absent - the will to survive, the will to fight for getting better (exercise, etc), the will to give up alcohol and smoking (remember George Best and how a liver was totally wasted on him and could have gone to somebody else) - etc, are just as important factors as a good match. So is the age of the patient, if they have children, etc. It is naive to think that these factors are not taken into account.

And age should be part of this too. I would NOT want to benefit from an organ knowing that another person did not, who had a life in front of them and children to see growing up. Surely?

If you are 'elderly' ie us! They will only give you a kidney from a doner of the same age! Or did!

Happy for all my bits to be recycled

Nana - no good if they are 'pickled' lol

Doesn't that preserve them?

My thoughts exactly jeni

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Too much should be

granjura Considerations about liver transplants and heavy drinkers, for example, are appropriate because the latter affects the efficacy of the former. Moral judgements about people should never be the preserve of doctors.

I am quite happy to donate any bits of me that might possibly be useful to someone but I can't help feeling that my body is more like a mausoleum than a temple. I just object to being pressured by self-righteous prigs in government. I am pretty sure I would have given up smoking two or three years ago if I hadn't felt bullied about it.