How do you feel about the donors?

[Louise Pembroke]

I too support an opt-out system John.
That's good Val you were able to send a card.
Me too Gareth, I've just ordered a medical bracelet, it will say I have grafts, and my Moorfields hosp number, years ago I remember a nurse telling me about the importance of the lens being removed if unconscious http://www.medicaltags.co.uk

[Louise Pembroke]

Anyone can also register online to be a donor:
http://www.uktransplant.org.uk

[Sweet]

Ok guys sorry to post a down side here but i did post about this a while back and i think it needs to be put here again. If you have had a transplant you are NOT allowed to donate blood or be able to donate any organs after your death due to major infection issues. I did feel quite upset about this because if i'd have known that i would have donated some blood before the op! But there you go. I have now stopped carrying a donor card and have taken my name off the bone marrow register.

I am also very grateful to have had the chance of a cornea and know that if i could i would happily donate organs to help someone else in the future. To give someone the gift of sight is truly amazing and i don't know how to put how thankful i am, although am sad for the family left behind.

Also, Louise i just have to ask are you 100% sure that this is the cornea, as it is my understanding that ALL organs go through numerous tests before we recieve them (which cannot be done until after death) and for a moment there it sounded like Holby when relatives were fighting over who was going to get an organ! I can understand that if you went private it would be quicker or indeed if you wre next on the list, but i still can't quite follow that someone had just died and the organ was given to someone straight away. Maybe you can solve that for me!

Sweet X x X

[Louise Pembroke]

Yes I am 100% sure I have received 2 corneal transplants! My first was 21 years ago. I was informed by the anaethetist in the hospital where I worked that I would be getting a cornea from the woman in ITU who had died. Sorry if that wasn't clear to you. I have no idea how long she had been deceased, I'm quite sure that unlike these silly medical soaps that she didn't die and he rushed down to tell me within minutes!! I was also next on the list, I couldn't afford private.
I am aware that there are numerous tests and that no organs are given to anyone straightaway.

That's very sad if we cannot donate organs despite that fact the cornea has no direct blood supply.

[Sweet]

Yes that was my reasoning as well, that we hadn't had any blood so what was the concern. But there you go, that is their rules and we have no choice. Hehe i wasn't disagreeing with you saying you have had two grafts! I just find it very odd that it would be done so soon when grafts can be stored for weeks at a time.

Sweet X x X

[Andrew MacLean]

Gareth

I shall certainly not be far behind you.

Louise, thank you for starting this string. It will go on giving recipients an opportunity to explore the extent of our indebtedness.

When I was first told that I'd need a graft, my childen, then still very young (8 and 6) insisted that they ought to be allowed to carry donor cards. They still do to this day.

Val, I had no idea that it was possible to communicate with the donor family. Next time I see my surgeon I shall ask about passing on my thanks.

Andrew

[Louise Pembroke]

This was 20 years ago Sweet when you were called by telephone by the hospital when a cornea became available [like any other organ]. I just knew before the eye hospital called me because I was working across the road. With my 2nd, I was given a date in advance.

[Andrew MacLean]

Ah well

Sweet thanks for putting me right on the acceptability of my bits and bobs for transplants.

Again Louise, thanks for starting this string

Andrew

[Louise Pembroke]

I've just spoken to the NHS Organ Donor Line [0845 60 60 400] and they confirmed that recipients of corneal transplants CAN be organ donors, so sign up now folks!
Sweet is however correct about blood donations, we cannot donate blood.

[Sweet]

Well now i am dam confused and they need to get their facts right, as i called them and asked about this a month back and that was the information i received. I would hardly come here and post that if i didn't believe it to be true. Enough said.