Donating Organs, Our Son, and Thank You Notes
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
Canada
March 14, 2016 6:44am CST
A long time ago my husband's sister had a brain aneurysm. She lived in Massachusetts just across the border from New York State. She was rushed to Albany Med and was brain dead by the time they got her there. They kept her alive until family could get there and the question was...was she a Organ Donator?
The answer was YES. My mother in law was there and it was difficult for her to allow the hospital to take Deb's organs. An adult grandson (who was and is a lawyer) was with her and talked her into signing the papers. The moment she got back to Deb's house she searched for her purse and found her donor card in it. She cried with relief.
We took Deb's son to Canada and hired a lawyer and adopted him. We shared many tears with him as he grieved the death of his mother and many laughs with him as he grew up to be a handsome and talented man.
Our nephew, the lawyer who was there when Deb died, took care of her estate. He guided us on what we needed to do legally.
He sent us a letter months later from the Organ Donation Organization full of thank you letters from the people who were gifted with her eyes, her lungs, her kidney, and other bit and pieces.
We already had a steamer trunk of Deb's history so we added it to the trunk.
When our son was old enough and asked about his mother as an adult, we opened the trunk.
Yesterday I saw this video. It brought back bittersweet memories and it touched my heart. I hope you will look at it. It is worth your time. It's about a man and a dog.
May 15, 2015 Argentine Institute of Liver Transplantation The FATH (Fundación Argentina de Trasplante Hepático) and DDB Argentina present “The man and the do...
18 people like this
15 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
14 Mar 16
That is a very touching video.
I am sorry for your loss Paints.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
14 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate Welcome Paints..
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
Thank you for your kind words, our son is now in his mid 30's. Our other two are 39 and 45' he grew up with siblings.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (56325)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
I'm sorry that I wasn't able to view the link, I don't have a log in for FB since I'm not a member.
Its a shame that you lost your sister-in-law at such a young age, but I think that you've done her memory right by keeping the chest up with keepsakes of her life. I believe in organ donation.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56325)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate What a heart-warming tear jerker, but they say that an animal will recognize that parts of their owners live on in others. I saw the same thing in the movie Return to Me.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
@Juliaacv I've never heard of that before this video but it makes sense.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56325)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate It was a movie starring Minnie Driver, you just have to look it up. Its one of my all time favorite movies, David Ducoveny, Carol O'Conner, Bonnie Hunt and Jim Belushi are all in it. Its so heart warming and such a feel good movie.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
14 Mar 16
I can't watch it if it is sad and it sounds like it probably is. I cry to easily as it is. At my age I don't think my organs would be very worthwhile to anyone.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
14 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate I said I can't watch it because it is sad.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
@AbbyGreenhill Ok I missread your comment. It is very sad but such a strong message.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
I changed it to the you tube video, you should be able to see it now.
. It is amazing how many people can be affected by the donation of organs from one person. We have both signed whatever forms we needed to to become donors.@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
We have filled out the forms too, It was mind blowing when we got the letters Sadly they couldn't find a recipient fast enough for her heart.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate Sometimes there is only a very short window where they can take the organs. I'm sure the letters caused a few tears.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
17 Mar 16
Yes her organs are still alive in people who were lucky enough to have a donor.
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
14 Mar 16
Thanks for sharing this with us. My eyes filled with tears as I read your article about your sister in law. I will check out your video.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
14 Mar 16
lovely that she was able to give others a possible gift of extended life
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
14 Mar 16
how wonderful that y'all were able to save all that fer her son. 'tis a diff'cult choice fer families to make, 'n there's so many'n need. to know that the tragic loss'f that sweet lady enriched so many other lives hopefully brings a bit'f piece.
big hugs!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
15 Mar 16
Deb had a trunk with her history in it, her memorabilia from being in the army, her wedding and marriage things, her treasures. It is still in our basement but will go live with our son when he has room for a trunk...
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
15 Mar 16
What a very touching and moving post... how difficult it must have been to receive those letters..but at the same time ... ssoooo special. ...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
15 Mar 16
My best friend received a kidney and lived 40 years more than she would have without the donation. There's another story in that so thanks for the reminder.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
14 Mar 16
There are all kinds of things in our body that age doesn't matter so keep your card and let your family know that you signed up...
