Live liver donor dies.., this is very sad

[susan400]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100814/ap_on_re_us/us_liver_transplant_death    

This man was truly loving to sacrifice his life to offer up a part of his liver for his brother.  However, it makes me sad that he died in his giving this gift since he left behind a wife and small children.  This is why I told my older sister years ago when she mentioned that if I ever needed part of her liver in the future that she would give me it..., that, I would not want her to.  I always felt like I didn't want somebody that I loved alot to make that sacrifice for me.  I'd never forgive myself if someone I loved alot in my family died in their attempt to help me.  My sister has Type 1 and Type 11 diabetes and even if some doctor was ever wanting to accept her offer, I wouldn't ever allow that because I would feel that it would be too risky for her.  If and when I ever need a transplant in the future (and it's my belief that I am not going to need it), then I'd get on a list and take a cadaver liver before I'd risk one of my family member's life.  That's just my opinion about it.  I just had to share because when I read this article in the Yahoo health news it affected me.  Susan400

[orphanedhawk]

To me the sad part of the donor's death is this may cause less live liver transplants here in the U.S. while people are dying while waiting on the list.
Certainly the insurance companies don't want more lltps as they require two teams of surgeons.

The hospital where I went in Taiwan for my tp claims to have had no donor mortalites and few complications. They're doing something right.
The surgeons there would probably be honored to share their techniques with us.

If only medicine wasn't so filled with egoism and competition. ( but then again I could say that about lots of things)

[nygirl7]

I'm bitter is nonsense and you know it"

Oh Lord - through all the YEARS that you have been here giving LOVE and SUPPORT and KNOWLEGE to those who need it after all the tragedy you have been through, putting the needs of OTHERS in front of the pain and suffering that you personally have seen.......bitter is the last word I would ever use and for someone to insinuate such a thing just goes to show how small minded and self righteous a person can truly be.

Thank you Elaine for all those who you have touched - not only your friends but the hundreds and hundreds that you have shared your wit and wisdom with over the past years that I have known you.  

You have shown what the word "love" for your brother truly means to me and I will respect you for all that you have given eternally.

deb

[GSDgirl]

I have to comment on the "it's their time to go" comment.  At my sister's funeral (she was 21 & I was 22) the priest, the Catholic priest made the comment that it is not ALWAYS their time and sometimes HE makes a mistake.  I was in shock over the whole ordeal and that is about the only thing I really remember from those dark days.

Elaine, I must say that you are one of the bravest people that fought this disease tooth and nail right along with Nick.  Bitter NOOO!!  Sad, I'm sure as I am still sad all these years later.

Denise

[Trinity4]

When describing you dearest Elaine, those of us who know and love you would never use the word bitter in any context.  Loving, caring, compassionate, supportive, loyal are words that come to mind.  Unless another has walked a mile in your shoes it's best to refrain from comment.  They are standing on the outside looking in and no not what they speak of.

Trinity

[eureka254]

Susan:  Thank you for posting the article; a tough read, but it really highlights the enormous cost of this disease, not only to the people who suffer with it, but their loved ones as well.

Elaine:  Big, big hug to you.  I will always, always fight against this disease, and against all that it wants to take away from me and from others, and I know God is fighting the demons of this disease with me, not against me.

[child24angel]

Thank you NYgirl !! this is a horrible disease !

Diane, I got you note:

My my aren't you the sweet one, you have no clue and to
insinuate I'm bitter is nonsense and you know it. I've worked very hard to
get through many obstacles in my life that you will never know.
I stand by my words, I do think Our Lord and Savior gets it wrong
sometimes.  Please do me a favor and don't tell me it was their time to go.
Because it was NOT.  And for all the people waiting for a TP , fighting this disease
or any other disease.  Keep up the fight.  It's not your time.

[nygirl7]

No Elaine just NOOOOOOOOOOOO it was not time, no way no how it was a dumb stupid insidiuous disease and we all know it.  Time would have been in 60 years as old, fat, happy grandfather.  Not after the valient fight this was not a random act and I refuse to hear it be called less that it was - tragic and NOT time.

[Diane12855]

There you go!!!! If more people would sign up to be organ donors, there wouldn't be a need for live donors.

Diane

[eureka254]

It's unfortunate that live-liver donation does carry some significant risks for the donor -- it's not quite like donating blood, or donating bone-marrow...  

From a personal standpoint, my husband and I have discussed the question, but arrived at no clear resolution... at the moment, he's not sure he would want me (or any family member) to take the risk if the situation presented itself... it's my position he should be convinced otherwise.  The only qualm I have is that the possibility would then exist for our children to lose both parents simultaneously...

I'm gonna end my post here sounding like a public service ad:  close the gap, sign up to be an organ donor. ~eureka

[child24angel]

You might not say that if it was your son or daughter
I don't pretend to know what "the One" has in store for
any of us.  I do know sometimes he just doesn't get it
right.  

That's your answer, it was their time to go????
NOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Diane12855]

Sometimes I think it is just their time to go. There was a teenager near my town who died last week while playing a pre-season football game. He was fine before the game, and then he was gone.

Personally, I wouldn't be able to ask somebody to donate to me, but if I was end stage and that was the only way I could live, and a family member really wanted to help me, I don't think I'd refuse them. My faith leads me to feel that we aren't in charge of the results of these kinds of things, and the One in charge knows best for the long run.

Diane

[child24angel]

I didn't mean to cause undue harm or hurt feelings.
I understand your points also....I feel you are worth it,
Your loved one would feel the same I sure.

I'm like you, I don't know if I would do it either:( I just don't know.
I do know I would have done it without a doubt for my son, I guess in
a way, our sons , daughters, sisters would do it for us as they love us too.
Your sister would not hesitate I'm sure. yet I understand how you feel.

I know people can have a difficult time with a cadaver liver also.
I'm sorry if I left you with the wrong impression Susan.
Every surgery is a risk.

Orphanedhawk, I'm so happy you and your daughter continue to strive !

[orphanedhawk]

I never asked anyone to donate because it is such a big decision.
My daughter offered. My son found a hospital in Taiwan which claimed no donor mortalities and that was the primary reason we chose them to do the surgery.
( I didn't have insurance)

All surgeries have a percentage of risk.
My daughter and I are both doing great.

[susan400]

I didn't mean to try and say that I would fault another person's decision to do that.  It's just that I don't feel that with what I've done in my life that it's all that great to say that I'm worth somebody else taking that risk for me.  I don't feel like I would be comfortable with that.  But, that's just my feelings and I really don't want to try to hurt someone's feelings here....      I totally understand, Elaine why you would have given a piece of your liver to your precious son!    As the saying goes, it's easier to give than to receive and I certainly feel that way with this.  For me, it would be far easier to accept a living donor that was a complete stranger than, to have someone that I dearly loved to do it and take that risk.  

Susan400

[child24angel]

This is very sad,
That being said, I have to say I would have given
my son my part of my liver in a heartbeat.

Would I have needed a liver, would I have wanted
him to give give me some help, never.

I do know Orphanhawk's daughter helped her though ,without complications to
her daughter, her daughter is fine. I think it's a personal and private decision.
For each and every one. And NO, susan you will never have to worry about it, you will be cured one day !