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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be scared after registering as organ donor.

124 replies

RoxyFox211 · 18/07/2013 19:55

Always wanted to do it but had a wierd hesitation ( just in case we some how feel or are aware of organ removal after death). I'm very interested in religion, although not affiliated myself, would love to read as many religious texts as possible. In starting this post im just interested really in other peoples choices for or against being on the organ donation register, both religiously, philosphically & otherwise.

OP posts:
hermioneweasley · 18/07/2013 19:57

I am for it because it can save or significantly enhance lives after my death. I will have no use fr my organs, and will not be aware of the procedure, because I would be dead. I do not believe in life after death, but I do believe in saving lives, and life before death.

IMO any other stance is medieval superstition.

Tittypulumpcious · 18/07/2013 19:58

I am an organ donor I have my own views on life after death etc and feel that if any of my organs could help to save someone else's loved one they're welcome! It's not like I will physically know anything anyway (I hope!!!)

CeliaLytton · 18/07/2013 19:59

My reason is moral. I would want to be offered an organ if I needed one, therefore I offer mine when I no longer need them. If I am willing to take, I should be willing to give.

Also emotional, in that if ever my child needed an organ I would hope that there was one available, so I would hope that in giving my organs a child might live. (Not child just meaning 'under 18', I assume that my children will always feel like precious children to me!)

This is not a judgement on what other people choose to do. There have been loads of threads on this and they have a real divide of opinion, it is a subject people feel very strongly about.

YouTheCat · 18/07/2013 20:03

My reason for being an organ donor is that they won't be being used anymore after I'm dead.

I don't worry about as I'm pretty sure they don't do it like this:

TweenageAngst · 18/07/2013 20:04

I am on the register have been since 18.
Once I am dead, I am dead, take the lot including my eyes. I really wont be needing them.
I have cared for organ doners many times and on several occasions accompanied them to the operating theater and watched the organs being retrieved then administered the last offices.
I have also cared for recipients who have had their life completely changed by the generosity of a stranger.
I am an atheist, have been since I came off the agnostic fence at 16. I have no belief in any form of after life and am completely comfortable with my choice.

Trazzletoes · 18/07/2013 20:04

I'm on the register and believe that it's very important. My DS has regular blood transfusions and I am SO grateful for blood donors. I think, how much MORE important are organ donations?

Re: the afterlife... I do believe in life after death. I can't believe that my God would allow me to suffer in the afterlife for helping to save someone else's life IYSWIM?

swooosh · 18/07/2013 20:10

Would you accept a donor organ? if so YABU for being scared.

DigestivesAndPhiladelphia · 18/07/2013 20:12

If you think you feel 'scared' after signing up, imagine how the people who are waiting for organs feel? Not knowing if they will be well enough to celebrate next Christmas with loved ones, if they will see next year or even the end of this month...

Waiting for a phonecall that might not come in time. Then receiving a call, being taken as quickly as possible to the correct hospital, waiting there, not knowing it they will survive the transplant or not.

But then, finding out that the operation will not happen this time because the organ isn't suitable...

Going back home to wait, again, for a call that might never come.

WilsonFrickett · 18/07/2013 20:12

Most religions believe that our bodies are temporary forms for our spirits. So our spirits don't need old tut like clothes and organs.

I too think if you would accept an organ, or would accept an organ on behalf of your child, you can really have no objection to donating. But my granddad died at 50 because he was just a little bit behind the curve in terms of organ donation and what was possible.

Original poster
RoxyFox211 · 18/07/2013 20:17

Cheers for replies :) (seems everyone is very much for it...as i am..if they can salavage any of them ;) ). Yes swoosh would probably accept one in a life or death situation. Glad i signed up and that noone has come out with strong opposing reasons to make me question it!

The way i see its is that it is a rational choice to donate, and in life i always try to be rational about things so it seems like the thing to do! just had lingering doubts due to supersition and lack of real knowledge of the afterlife (if there is one).

OP posts:
lljkk · 18/07/2013 20:19

I thought that relatively few religions objected.(?)
Why would burning the body or letting it rot in the ground be better, from a religious point of view?
If the body must be complete at death or burial, where does that leave folk who had something amputated years before?
Meh, just reminds me how kooky all some religions are.

DomesticCEO · 18/07/2013 20:21

I worked with a lady a few years ago who's dh had CF and was on permanent oxygen until given a lung/heart transplant - it transformed his life and was truly amazing to see.

I have been on the organ donor register since I was 18 but until then hadn't seen first hand what it meant.

I don't understand the squeamishness around donation, I really don't. I would like to have the following on my card though, "I do not wish my organs to be donated to anyone who is not prepared to donate to others".

BMW6 · 18/07/2013 20:27

The way I see it is, when you are dead your physical body will either rot in the ground or be cremated, so either way your organs have no relevance to any after life, if there is one.

One way or another we all return to the dust from which we came (random atoms), so why not let someone else have the use of whatever we leave behind - we have ceased to use it.

SillyTilly123 · 18/07/2013 20:29

I think I registered as an organ donar when I was in my late teens, is there any way I can check im still registered? And can you donate organs if you've had a blood transfusion?

Original poster
RoxyFox211 · 18/07/2013 20:29

I dont know, ive never heard of a religion objecting either but im relatively uninformed by not being affiliated myself. Not sure if it might be Jewish (?) religion which is sometimes against it Confused please correct me if im wrong, might be talking out my bum.

Anyway i totally understand some peoples (non religious) worries because i have a phobia of 'waking up' on the operating theater (although accept thats extremely unlikely after being pronounced dead!).

OP posts:
MadBannersAndCopPorn · 18/07/2013 20:31

I am an organ donor. I signed up as I had to renew my driving license photo.

I love to think that my body is being out to good use after death (not religious either).

I hate to think that my body parts will go to someone who has abused their body to the extent that they need to have an organ replacement or someone who is a real nasty, horrible piece of work over say, an innocent child or someone who has looked after themseves relatively well.

But, i'll be dead and helping someone out there regardless, so I'm happy!

OP posts:
ReindeerBollocks · 18/07/2013 20:34

I've always been a card carrier for organ donation. My mum was very open and honest when we were little which made it less of a big deal - i won't need my organd when I die so why let them go to waste?

The issue came to the fore when DS was diagnosed with a condition meaning he is likely to need heart/lungs when hes older.

I also have been a live donor and donated a kidney two years ago - a very emotive decision for me ad the kidney was for DH.

I've always been comfortable with my decision but would never puz pressurr on another to donate, even if I agree with opt out, if a person doesn't qant to donate I respect that view, even if i don't agree with it.

Mama1980 · 18/07/2013 20:34

I am on the organ donor registry. My sons were both born very prematurely at 26 and 24 weeks respectively, I nearly died both times. Our lives were only saved by massive medical intervention including dozens of blood transfusions. I saw babies in nicu waiting for donor organs. I owe the people who donate blood everything., my life, my family. So if before or after my death any part of me can repay that they are welcome to it. I am also on the donor kidney register, though sadly my own health would prevent this from being a option, and the bone marrow registry.
I'm a archaeologist I see death a lot, and believe once we are dead that's it we simply return to organic matter, be that ash or bone either way my organs would be of no use then.

Leverette · 18/07/2013 20:37

This reply has been deleted

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MadBannersAndCopPorn · 18/07/2013 20:41

I didn't know about the anaesthetic, that's really interesting...

Original poster
RoxyFox211 · 18/07/2013 20:45

wow never knew that Leverette... Reassuring & quite bizarre! definitley think though that that information could encourage people with hesitations to donate! Also will be giving blood next time theres a van in the area, not bothered by needles or anything so no excuse! Just another thing never got round to doing. Anyone know if they'll accept blood of people with addictions or does it have to be pure bllod? (sorry silly quetions).

OP posts:
specialsubject · 18/07/2013 20:48

dead is dead. No-one ever comes back. Once you are dead, you are just empty flesh.

why would you NOT offer your organs unless there was a medical reason why not?

regarding blood -if you have injected illegal drugs you will never be able to donate. If it is just alcohol or cigarettes it is fine.

Original poster
RoxyFox211 · 18/07/2013 20:51

specialsubject, do you mean if you have ever in your life injected illegal drugs you will never be able to? or if it was for example 10 years ago and not hiv positive you'd be ok? sorry just curious.

OP posts:
GiveItYourBestShot · 18/07/2013 20:52

I ride a motorcycle. The odds are quite high that I might meet an earlier death than a car driver. If that happens doctors are welcome to any bits that will help improve another person's quality of life. OP, here is a link to a statement from the Chirch of England that organ donation is a Christian duty, as you asked for religious views.

Http:www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2007/10/pr9607.aspx