Organ recital

[Sheldonrs]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Man, this is rattling around in my little pea brain looking for a spot to stick. It just doesn't seem to fit any existing folder.

It's an incredibly generous and noble act, especially for a stranger.
It's also a dangerous thing for you to undertake, just because it's major surgery, without the other factors. I'm guessing you've investigated the pros and cons. Probably your friends have chewed your ear off, with reasons you should or shouldn't do it.

All I can say is good luck, I hope everyone lives happily ever after.

Oh yeah, my family and my bf have called me more names in the last few days than lll my time in school! lol!

Thanks.

[Iggy]

I am at a loss for what to say. I don't think I could do something like that myself... but I respect you for your decision. I would be worried that someone in my family would need my kidney, or that I would need it later on in life, or that the woman would die soon anyway. It is a tough decision, that's for sure. Good luck!

[Sheldonrs]

Originally Posted by Iggy

I am at a loss for what to say. I don't think I could do something like that myself... but I respect you for your decision. I would be worried that someone in my family would need my kidney, or that I would need it later on in life, or that the woman would die soon anyway. It is a tough decision, that's for sure. Good luck!

I thought about all of that. My blood type is B- and the rest of my family is B+ so I would not be able to donate one to them.
And in my family, nobody has lived past the age of 62. All have had cancer so the odds of me making it longer than that and needing a kidney are slim.
Thanks for the good wishes. :-)

[JayMcGee]

What made you post on that website in the first-place?

And if those reasons still hold, why are you now having doubts?

[Sheldonrs]

Originally Posted by JayMcGee

What made you post on that website in the first-place?

And if those reasons still hold, why are you now having doubts?

I posted on the site about 5 years ago just because it seemed like the right thing to do. My family never took living or dying very seriously so the chance of it happening doesn't really bother me. That's not depression or suicidal talk, just never been frightened of it.

[Bitman]

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

PS - The first person who makes the obvious "Steel Magnolia" references will get bitch-slapped for Christmas!!!

Actually I heard something else .. I think it was Simpsons .. something like "wow, you've given up a large part of your life so someone else can live slightly longer." I trust you've talked with your doctor to ensure you personally won't have complications later in life.

But that's not what worries me. This is:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

Anyway, a lady contacted me because I might be a match and she needs a kidney. She has to go through dialysis 3x per week. She and her husband retired a few years ago but shortly after, her husband died of cancer. She has a daughter and told me she just wants to live to see her grandchildren someday. She is 64 years old.

What properly balanced person can face a person in need, and say no, you must die? What organization would allow patients to contact donors, knowing full well the donors can't say "no"? This whole thing sounds very shady.

So are you agreeing because you want to help this person, or because you're unable to say "no"?

[Sheldonrs]

Originally Posted by Bitman

What properly balanced person can face a person in need, and say no, you must die? What organization would allow patients to contact donors, knowing full well the donors can't say "no"? This whole thing sounds very shady.

So are you agreeing because you want to help this person, or because you're unable to say "no"?

The patient contacted me via e-mail. I had the option of just ignoring it or replying. Plus, I would not have posted there if I was not willing to do it.

And while it's true I have a hard time saying no, that's usually regarding an entirely different question and organ.

[monster]

Sorry, but I think it it's a ridiculous thing to do. You're endangering your own life in more ways than one in an attempt to allow an old lady to get a little older and have a a little longer to dream about seeing the grandchildren that do not yet exist?

Why? If you want to give the gift of life, donate blood and bone marrow -replenishable things you can donate more than once and can save babies at the very start of their journey through life.

But there's no fame and very little thanks going that route. And very little sacrifice.

If this woman cannot get a kidney from a brain-dead donor, that's probably because there are many people out there with a more desperate need than her. She just has the money to pay for it. It seems a little odd to me that there is a directory of potential live donors which patients themselves access directly, rather than the doctors. Why would this be, do you think? Is it ethical/wise for donors are recipients to know one another?

I wouldn't touch this with a 10-foot bargepole. But then I'm not allowed to donate anything anyway because apparently us Brits all have mad cow disease, so I perhaps have more room to feel confident that not doing this is morally acceptable because it's a decision I will never have to make.

Sorry if I sound brutal/cold, but these are angles I really feel you should examine before making a decision.

Good luck.