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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:
Original poster
RoxyFox211 · 18/07/2013 20:59

Reindeerbollocks (or anyone really), do u need a card or is regisering online enough? worried how anyone will know if i am or am not one...

OP posts:
Original poster
RoxyFox211 · 18/07/2013 21:00

Cheers giveityourbestshot, appreciate that.

OP posts:
TweenageAngst · 18/07/2013 21:01

There is a raft of blood tests which are sent off in the preliminary stages of the donation process which test for all kinds of things. Including HIV and hepatitis, previous IV Drug use does not preclude you donating your organs, neither do existing medical conditions.
The only absolute contra-indications are known HIV or CJD and by no means do all ex drug users have these.

Squitten · 18/07/2013 21:05

I'm atheist so as far as I'm concerned once I'm dead, my body is useless and if it can help someone else then brilliant. I'm registered and have the card in my purse. DH also knows what I want done.

McNewPants2013 · 18/07/2013 21:13

youthecat that is funny.

Once i am dead they can take anything apart from my eyes.

Mrsladybirdface · 18/07/2013 21:14

We recently lost a very close family member (child) and she was able to donate her organs, hopefully saving 5 peoples lives. It gives us great comfort knowing her death wasn't in vain.

don't be scared

thepurplepenguin · 18/07/2013 21:15

I am a Baptist and a registered donor. We also see it as a religious duty. When you are spiritually resurrected your body remains in the ground and is of no use to you. (For those who believe this bit...) When you are (eventually) physically resurrected God will heal your broken decayed body anyway so it doesn't matter if it's got a few bits missing. Over-simplification but you get the gist...

Turniptwirl · 18/07/2013 21:18

trazzletoes totally agree that a loving god couldn't punish people who in death have given life. I'm agnostic but find it hard that people can believe in a god that would want them to be selfish in this situation.

Trazzletoes · 18/07/2013 21:34

Registering online is fine. Though given that, I think, your next of kin can override your wishes(?) it may well be worth having a good chat with your nearest and dearest and making sure they are clear on your wishes. Well, anyway whether or not they can override. That way they can come to terms with it now and it may be one tiny thing that's easier for them on an awful day.

Re: whether you are on the register if you signed up years ago... You can sign up now online. If they already have your details they will just amend your details and wishes if necessary.

CloudsAndTrees · 18/07/2013 21:56

I'm not on the register. I wish I felt comfortable about going on the register, but I just don't, and no amount of reading or debating the subject on here has changed my mind yet.

I don't want my body kept alive after my brain has died. If I'm properly dead, then I want my body to be dead too.

If they didn't keep a body alive artificially in order to donate, then I'd be much more willing.

RunRabbit · 18/07/2013 23:36

I have zero interest in registering as an organ donor - now or ever.

RunRabbit · 18/07/2013 23:38

Forgot to add I'm not very religious. So religion has nothing to do with it for me.

EatingAllTheCrumpets · 18/07/2013 23:56

I told my mum I wanted to be an organ donor at 13, I officially registered as soon as I was 18.

I'm religious but I have no idea if its ok in my religion or not, but as far as I'm concerned I can't see why it would bother my Gods.

I would accept an organ and therefor I will be happy to donate. And to be honest they can take whatever they like. If I become ill then I would be happy for them to conduct research etc too.

At the end of the day I will be cremated when I die, seems a shame to waste any good bits Grin

Do make sure that your relatives are aware of your decision though, as they can veto any donation once your dead. However I think that will change soon.

moustachio · 19/07/2013 00:04

Leverette thanks for sharing that. Has definitely put my mind at rest over it. I was worried about being treated like 'meat' once i was an organ donor so that's reassuring that doctors still have respect for you.

I think I would find it hard to allow my DP/DS to be organ donors (god forbid that would EVER happen, in fact making me teary in this fake scenario i have created!).

moustachio · 19/07/2013 00:05

I gave my placenta away when I gave birth for reasearch purposes, not really the same thing though as i thought it would just end up in the bin if anything. The researcher was really greatful and asked me about 5 times if i was sure I didn't want to take it home to bury it... do that many people do that???

RunRabbit · 19/07/2013 00:06

moustachio Some people eat it Grin

sashh · 19/07/2013 05:34

DomesticCEO

If you could have that on your card what about a baby? A baby has no idea what organ donation is, yet might receive organs.

Would you want your organs donated to a baby who, in later life, might not want to be a donor?

CloudsAndTrees

Read up on what actually happens IN THIS COUNTRY.

curlew · 19/07/2013 05:50

I do hope anyone refusing to be a donor would refuse a donation. Either for themselves or their child.

WhatEverZen · 19/07/2013 06:21

I've been on the donor register for many years.

I can understand that some people do feel a bit squeamish about it. But what use are those organs to me once I've died, when they can be used to transform someone else's life.

RunRabbit · 19/07/2013 13:23

Didn't realise it was a case of tit for tat.

curlew · 19/07/2013 13:32

Not tit for tat- I'd just call it common decency

GoodTouchBadTouch · 19/07/2013 13:43

Im not on it, and I don't plan on signing. Neither are my husband or our children.

Mostly because I want my husband to be able to see how he feels about it if I should die prematurely. I wouldn't want the choice to be taken from him if the register trumps family wishes.

Im pretty sure I wouldn't want the children or DH cut up and portioned off after death. I don't know why, but it wouldn't feel right to me.

The fact that organs go to ex drug abusers doesn't make me feel nice either

curlew · 19/07/2013 13:45

As I said, I hope you would refuse an organ for you or your children, then.

RunRabbit · 19/07/2013 13:55

Are recipients even allowed to donate? Hmm

curlew · 19/07/2013 13:56

Well, if you are not donating because you are a recipient, then your posts on here have been completely asinine.