Thursday, April 03, 2008

Are You An Organ Donor?

Have you heard about Tricia?

I'm sure you have because most of the world has been waiting with Tricia and her family for new lungs. You'll have to read her husband's blog for more information about her (and her beautiful baby) but Hallelujah! She received her new lungs last night.

How awesome for them. How wonderful that she can spend more time on this earth caring for her newborn daughter, enjoying her life, loving her friends and family.

But I'll admit. I'm just a teensy bit jealous.

I wish Laura would've gotten new lungs.

I wonder all the time what it would be like if those lungs had come.

Would her body have accepted them and healed? Would she be able to RUN for the first time in her life? RUN. She really wanted to run. Would she have become a surly teenager begging for the car keys? How would it be for her to go to restaurants and amusement parks without the big oxygen can? Well, we liked the can at amusement parks because we didn't have to wait in line, but I'm sure it would have been nice to eat out without strangers tripping over her canula line. Would she have had a baby one day? We'll never know the answers to any of that because her body gave out before the lungs came.

I never wanted to be an organ donor. I always felt like if a doctor saw organ donor on my license that he wouldn't try as hard to save me, that I'd instantly be on some sort of secret DNR (do-not-resucitate) list. And yeah, I guess too, the creepy part of me figured if they ever found a way to bring me back to life, they couldn't if I was missing some of my parts. I watched too much sci-fi as I kid, okay? I'm still uncomfortable discussing anything that revolves around my untimely demise, but yeah, if that were to happen, I'd hope I'd be able to give another family a fighting chance at a healthy life.




Because I really wish we'd have gotten one.

8 comments:

Crazed Nitwit said...

An 18yo girl who I was in class with my first year back at school had cf. She died about a year after we had the class together. We have so far with cf, it's just not far enough. I have always checked yes on my license for donation. I'm sorry about your niece.

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

I'm happy for Tricia and I pray that she can be healthy now.
My heart breaks for Laura and her family. I can not imagine.
I am an organ donor. Both of these stories illustrate how important it is.

Lynsey said...

I am an organ donor...I figure I've never smoked, I'm in decent shape and good health, someone better benefit if I die prematurely, dammit! That is such a sweet picture of Laura. You all must miss her so, so much.

Dawn said...

I am so happy for Tricia and her family, but so sorry to hear about your niece. That is such a hard thing for a family to go through. I have had the same thoughts on being an organ donor...your not the only one.

Aunt Becky said...

Oh Andria, I'm sorry. That's such a hard thing to handle. She was so young...

Star said...

I have always checked off the 'yes' on my license, and now in Ontario they attach your preference to your health card as well.

It must be so hard to have to watch a child suffer for so long.

Melissa said...

:( So sorry!

Miss Hope said...

Yes ma'am, I have checked "YES". I actually sat there and thought about it when applying for my license in my new state and when the DMV lady made some comment about me taking my time (there wasn't but one other person in the place) I told her to chill out...checking that box was big deal and I need to feel the moment.