Blood/organ/bone marrow donation

George,

I'm afraid it must seem like I'm badgering you, and I'm sorry for that, but if you can explain it, I'd be really interested to hear why you would only give an organ to your nephew or niece.

Is it related to this sentence

quote:

It would be their decision to receive what I might be able to give

Is it that you feel other recipients might be given your organs without their consent, or that they wouldn't know where they came from? Or is it simply the very obvious point that you don't care for them as you care for your niece and nephew? I'm sorry if I appear obtuse, but your position on this is so different from my own that I find it hard to understand.

you are difficult to understand george,nevermind sleep well.

Dear David,

You are not badgering me are you? Only trying to finesse what I wrote initially initially? Is not that what this about?

If I could aid my nephew or niece than so be it. As I noted, "Their decision," but as for the general, then I do take the view that we all should all be ready to face death with equanimity. Not wishing or welcoming it, but accepting it. Acquiescing to it. This may be a discontinuity - a dissonance - but over time perhaps it will change. I doubt it, after 48 years. Only 22 to go before the three score and ten so the clock is short!

I don't know with certainty, but I remain open to change in any aspect that does not involve a move toward the im-moral. But my deep feeling for a long time is to learn stoicism, and accept life and death in their turn. The secret is to learn inner peace. I am not going into this here. The rule about not discussing religion [etc.] seems reasonable in this case.

Possibly this very debate will cause me to become a voluntary general organ donor.

It will not, however, result in me becoming a recipient.

Hope that helps you understands my position. George

So I had better fill in the Donor Card form at my GP surgery on the way home tomorrow after work.

I still will not "receive" but could very well "give."

I had not worked through the discontinuity in my position. I am always open to adjustment.

Thanks to all for the corrective critique.

However, through government legislation, I am sure that it must be a totally personal thing, not forced by others, even if apathy is the default General Public position. Opt in, not out. Apathy is not my position as I am sure is clear.

Best wishes to all from George

You can do it online if you wish, here.

Bruce

George (and others), one more thought-have you considered a Living Will? Such a document can provide your doctors with a statement of which treatments you would wish to receive/not receive in specific circumstances (such as if you were too ill to directly commuincate this) and you can also name an individual who could represent your views in such a situation (although I don't think 'The Naim Forum' would be acceptable mind you). I certainly have one, and so do quite a few of my patients. This allows me great clarity with such decisions and to act as their advocate if neccessary.

More details here. Plus a link to the Mental Capacity act which is also important and interesting regarding these issues.

Chaps

My attitude on this is very simplistic. My body belongs to me and if I want to end it all for any reason, I should have the legal right to do so.

For instance, I have seen too many of my friends suffer physical and mental pain when diagnosed with cancer. I have made it clear I would rather die than go through chemo etc.

The quality of life means more to me than longevity.

I also think that my relatives and Doctors should have the right to assist me in an early departure from this mortal coil.

Regards

Mick

quote:

I also think that my relatives and Doctors should have the right to assist me in an early departure from this mortal coil.

Regards

Mick

....form an orderly queue now chaps!

In all seriousness there is nothing debatable in what you post up to the last line in UK law (for now at least). Each individual can and should express their choices, provided they are taken freely without coercion or impairment through mental incapacity etc. Treatments are not forced upon any patient.

The options of assisting suicide or active euthanasia (not the same thing) are pretty hot topics at the moment and not strictly applicable to this thread perhaps, an intresting debate to be had no doubt.

I still add the codicil that if you ever find yourself in that position you may not always see it the same way.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Chaps

My attitude on this is very simplistic.

No change there then.

Sniper.

Thanks so much for your interesting contribution.

Do you need to feud in every thread you join?

Bruce

Bruce

Just ignore him.

Regards

Mick

I have been a registered donor of all 3 for 20+ years now. I am AB+ blood which I know is pretty damn rare so I know my blood comes in very handy. I'm sure I was told the platelet’s are used for babies at one point, or something like that. Maybe someone could clarify?

If one day I can help someone, then I will gladly do so. One thing I would object to though was if my blood or body parts were to be used for a criminal. Purely as they are being given the gift of life by another and folks like that do not deserve a 2nd chance in my eyes. I am not religious at all, I believe in fairness and a deserving human can have all they need once I'm 6ft under.

Surely such a donation is given without conditions? Would you attach a caveat to each bag of blood that says it can be used only for those who have not comitted specific crimes only, detailed by type or length of sentence? The whole point of donating blood or bone marrow or even posthumous organs is that you have given this not to a specific patient but to the medical 'system', and in so doing you leave the judgement of who is eligible to be a recipient as a clinical one, not a moral one.

The extension of your statement is that treatment is somehow witheld from those who have comitted a crime! That is barbaric. Everyone has a right to receive healthcare as a basic human right. That is not lost by being convicted.

Bruce

Platelets are used for all sorts of reasons by the way, probably the commonest is to support patients with blood disorders such as leukaemia. Sometimes also needed after major trauma too.

posted by PHILLYB(QUOTE) If one day I can help someone, then I will gladly do so. One thing I would object to though was if my blood or body parts were to be used for a criminal. Purely as they are being given the gift of life by another and folks like that do not deserve a 2nd chance in my eyes. (quote) thats a bit harsh.

george,congratulations for your open mindedness i think you deserve a few wodkas. atb

Barbric and harsh in your eyes maybe. But how would you feel if your blood was being used on a convicted rapist or murderer after he/her got themselves in a pickle. If they have shown no human rights to their victims, they should deserve none in return.
I meant very serious crime, not minor things.
I know it is the hospitals decision who gets what, just said I would be unhappy about it. I'm donating for the greater good remember and it should be used on good people. Thats all I'm saying.

I accept your view but don't share it. I honestly do not consider one life to be more or less worthy of treatment than any other. 'Murderer' or 'rapist' is a label. It is not the whole person summarised.

Bruce

George,

Like 151 I admire your open-mindedness. Your original stance seemed odd given your the good natured generosity you more typically display.

David

Dear 151, and David,

Thanks for making me think it through properly.

Dear Bruce,

Your links and other advice will be fully followed through. Thanks.

I am really happy about this thread!

ATB from George

PS: Now registered as a full donor, and will consider the advanced will thing at some greater length, before deciding how to couch it.

Good luck my friend hope you have many happy healthy years to come. atb

Registered online today which was quick and easy then i got an email saying that i am already a donor......cant remember doing that before but im glad i did anyway.
just hope someone can benefit when i no longer need them. but not just yet!

Well done George. As you're obviously happy with the decision, I'm really pleased if I helped.

Best wishes,

David

Good effort george.

Dear Stu,

Very fine idea. I thought about this many years ago, and it was not then considered a possibility.

Also it will save on the cost of a funeral, and save those left a lot of trouble organizing it!

Will talk to my GP about it. That will be the first time I have seen him or her since 2003, when my Central Serous Retinopathy was diagnosed. Incurable and presents with the same visual [but not the same effects on the vision of the person concerned] symptoms as Retinal Malignancy. It was a very rushed inspection. 4 pm in the opticians, 5.30 in the GP's to see the Houseman, and 7 pm in the hospital to see the Consultant! Who says the NHS is no good. First rate effort IMHO, and resulted in a diagnosis that non-malignancy in less than 4 hours!! And two and a half years consultations ever three months or so waiting for it to eventually settle down ...

ATB from George

Chaps

My body is my body and I want the whole of it put in a coffin and buried in a church after a truly large funeral. I also want a massive tombstone to remind the world that I existed.

Regards

Mick

Dear Mick,

"Horses for courses," as the old saying goes. My father wanted a massive stone, but got what he was given, and it stands in a row of similar sized ones that his parents and two elder brothers have in Bridge Sollars Parish Church graveyard. [10 miles to the West of Hereford].

I quite agree that this is a matter of personal choice, though one has to be sure that those left behind do carry out your wishes!

For myself, I never wanted a stone, but then I expect that those near to me will remember me in death for a long time in any case!

I expect that there will be a rather fine send off after my Funeral Service - body present or not!

Best wishes and a long life to you, from George