Hi heads. It's been my experience that most Letterheads are very generous and giving individuals. I came across a display in the mall yesterday promoting human organ donation, and I'm wondering where you stand on this issue.
In Ontario, each drivers licence has a consent form on the back, that one can sign which gives permission to harvest any useable parts, should one be involved in an accident. I have no problem with them taking whatever will be useful once I'm dead, but what might happen if it's a 50/50 chance of survival kinda bothers me. Supposing you were brought in comatose, and there's someone in Dallas in need of a heart. There might also be others waiting for a kidney, or liver, or eye corneas. At that stage, you are worth more dead than alive, with others who might stand to benefit from your demise. I know that the medical profession will argue about ethics etc., but the temptation must be great to simply let you go so that others might benefit.
Would you sign a consent form and carry it with you, knowing that such a scenario could arise? Do you have faith in the medical practitioners of today to "do the right thing" in such a situation?
Posted by Delzell (Member # 1965) on :
Ken,
I have it on my driver's license to donate. Your post does make me stop to think. But I would rather take the chance of not being done living then not giving others a chance to live better.
Hope that answers your question on where I stand,
Debbie
Posted by Bill Preston (Member # 1314) on :
Hi, Ken,
Interesting topic, and one I have had experience with, since my other line of work was as an ER/RN in a level 2 trauma center for a lot of years.
The issue of when to pull out the stops in an effort to save someone was largely determined by the circumstances of the patient's condition. If it was someone of advanced years, usually the "harvest" of organs was not done. Often older folks have underlying problems that argue against organ donation. Worn out parts, so to speak.
If a younger person was brought in in moribund condition, then usually a test for brain activity was done somewhere along the way. This after efforts to stabilize the patient as much as possible. If the brain activity was nil, then temporary life support could be started, and the family spoken to on the donation question. Families are always consulted, and if no one is immediately available, life support is begun until they can be reached. Sometimes the patient dies in spite of support, and without a drivers licence consent, or a family consent, the question goes no further.
Each instance is different, and the decisions about what to do can be a bear. Sometimes the trauma damage is so devastating, that even if the patient survived, it would be as a vegetable. Alive, but not alive. FWIW, this is known as a "Pyrrhic victory"-- the battle was won, but the war was lost.
Speaking only for myself, and as one who was close to these situations for many years, I think it is safe to say that one need not worry about the right and proper decision being made when and if the time comes.
Posted by Rob Larkham (Member # 2105) on :
When I'm done abusing them, if they are still any good...you can have them.
Posted by jon peterman (Member # 528) on :
when the state lets me make my own decisions in regards to seat belts and helmets i may let them have my parts. as long as they want to make my choices for me i'm keepin my parts
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
Boone's left hand.... 50 grand! Think the next guy can make it run? Maybe so....if it gits sowed on right! I like high test everything! Make check payable to......
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
well..56 years...of hard livin..dont make for good used parts...i used most of em up already....although some one can have my teeth and glasses..........
