When I was 15, I went to take the driving test in order to get my permit. Little did I know that there would be questions about organ donation once I passed and they started to make my license. Organ Donation? What in the world? I guess I had been in the dark up until this point. They gave me a form and asked me to read it and then to check a box. Needless to say I was a little scared. I checked no quickly and went on my way. Give someone my organs? No way! This was the last I thought about this until I renewed my license again sometime later. Again, I thought no way am I checking that box yes now. I guess I thought if I checked it now God might really need my organs and then my time would come sooner. I know these thoughts are not rational. I'm just a little crazy sometimes. Anyway, I had always said to my family I really don't think that I want to be an organ donor. It just always freaked me out a little until recently. Now to get the the reason for this blog.
My cousin, Lori, that is 11 years older than me, decided she wanted to lose weight. We all can empathize with her in this area I'm sure. I know I can. Who reading this hasn't wished a dozen times to be thinner. Well, when she went to the doctor for advice, she was given a prescription for a diet drug. After taking this she did lose weight, but little did she know that she would be in that percentage that would experience drastic side effects. (Not really bashing pharmaceuticals, just feel that she was seriously injured by these.) Several years after she had taken these drugs she was diagnosed with PPH. This is a condition that seriously effects the lungs and heart. She had lived with PPH for around 7 years. She did use several medications that helped her. It wasn't until these drugs stopped working that she faced the hardest times of her illness. She was so very sick. I'm not sure any of us realized how sick she really was. But on September 3, she received a call she thought would never come. She had recently been placed on the lung transplant list and was notified that they had a set of lungs. This was a very moving day for her and the whole family. Life is such a precious thing. But without someone else losing their life she would not be able to live today. Thanks to God above, and thanks to a generous woman in Oklahoma, Lori now has a new set of lungs. She is doing well and is feeling better every day. It is still a long road ahead for her in the recovery process. Because of this experience, I have now decided organ donation is the only way you can help someone on this earth after you die. When I go home to meet my maker, you can have all my organs. I will be in a better place and will not be needing them anymore. If you are not an organ donor, please just think about giving life to someone else and maybe you too can change your opinion on organ donation.
4 comments:
When Tucker filled out his paperwork for his driving permit he asked me what organ donor meant. I explained it, trying not to sway his decision with my answer. Without hesitation, he checked yes. I had such mixed emotions about this. As a mom, I wanted to tell him no, but also as a mom, I felt very proud that he checked yes.
I have learned many things traveling this journey with your updates on Lori! I have always thought what a wonderful gift but putting a face on a transplant surely is a blessing! Thanks be to our Heavenly Father for Lori's progress thus far! My prayers continue to be with her!
Wow! I had not heard this story! Thanks for sharing! I'm with you I always thought organ donation was a tad creepy (even though I did check on my drivers license I was an organ donor) then one day I was watching Oprah about lives changed by organ donation and I was just I won't need these organs (I hope they work well until my final day here on earth) but when I'm gone someone else can have them.
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