Face transplant patient is revealed(nytimes.com)
nytimes.com
Face transplant patient is revealed
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/05/science/AP-MED-Face-Transplant.html?hp
20 comments
<psa>
I've been an ER nurse for years, and the most rewarding times of that career have been when I can work my tail off to keep a donors body going long enough to harvest the organs. Donors give an amazing and precious gift to dozens people. I've cared for both donors and recipients. It's a beautiful and amazing thing. Think about it and talk to your family about it.</psa>
Are there honestly many people these days who aren't donors? I'm sure the answer is yes, but I'll still be surprised by it.
I'm sure there are quite a few people who aren't donors and don't know that they have to elect to be one.
Otherwise, I guess maybe people aren't for religious reasons? I'm not sure on that.
Otherwise, I guess maybe people aren't for religious reasons? I'm not sure on that.
I choose not to be a donor.
My cousin died a few years back. He had an untreated cavity that turned very infectious. Now, a few months later, he got out of the shower and just died. The doctor said that he seemed to have died before he even hit the ground..
In the same room as the doctor explaining that "We dont know what killed your son" were the body harvesters. All they could do was to pressure the parents, my uncle and aunt, to donate every part of his body, even though they had no idea WHAT killed him.
I do find these body parts people just plain disgusting. To these people, "No" means keep pestering more.
And yes, I also do worry that if a RN or doctor sees that donor card, they might not do as good of a job to save me. Not that they would do _bad_, but they would quit sooner than a non-donor.
My cousin died a few years back. He had an untreated cavity that turned very infectious. Now, a few months later, he got out of the shower and just died. The doctor said that he seemed to have died before he even hit the ground..
In the same room as the doctor explaining that "We dont know what killed your son" were the body harvesters. All they could do was to pressure the parents, my uncle and aunt, to donate every part of his body, even though they had no idea WHAT killed him.
I do find these body parts people just plain disgusting. To these people, "No" means keep pestering more.
And yes, I also do worry that if a RN or doctor sees that donor card, they might not do as good of a job to save me. Not that they would do _bad_, but they would quit sooner than a non-donor.
I share these concerns, and elect not to be a donor. Also, there is the completely irrational concern that by being a donor, I acknowledge the possibility of my untimely death. This is unpleasant, and I worry that if I'd ever get into a life-and-death situation, I'd have thoughts about what would happen to my body distract me from trying to stay alive.
In a perfect rational world, 100% of the population would be donors. But we are really just animals who make animal decisions. I acknowledge my humanity.
In a perfect rational world, 100% of the population would be donors. But we are really just animals who make animal decisions. I acknowledge my humanity.
"I do find these body parts people just plain disgusting."
Saving lives is more important than your feelings.
Saving lives is more important than your feelings.
It's not "feelings".
If somebody makes a conscious decision and goes about to explicitly allow harvesting, then so be it. Decision's done.
Instead, these people prey on organs from the recently deceased. In my case, he died not knowing what killed him. It was an infection of sorts but we just don't know. He didn't make a decision about harvesting after he was gone, so they should respect his wishes (or lack thereof).
If somebody makes a conscious decision and goes about to explicitly allow harvesting, then so be it. Decision's done.
Instead, these people prey on organs from the recently deceased. In my case, he died not knowing what killed him. It was an infection of sorts but we just don't know. He didn't make a decision about harvesting after he was gone, so they should respect his wishes (or lack thereof).
"these people prey on organs from the recently deceased."
They're trying to save lives. Make no mistake, people's lives are jeopardized every time someone decides that the integrity of a corpse is more important.
Edit to add: the description of medical professionals as "preying" on the dead is an odd one. One cannot prey on dead bodies, which have no thoughts or feelings. The only problem with what they do is the effect on the feelings of the living (e.g. yourself) but as I indicated, saving lives is more important. Sorry.
They're trying to save lives. Make no mistake, people's lives are jeopardized every time someone decides that the integrity of a corpse is more important.
Edit to add: the description of medical professionals as "preying" on the dead is an odd one. One cannot prey on dead bodies, which have no thoughts or feelings. The only problem with what they do is the effect on the feelings of the living (e.g. yourself) but as I indicated, saving lives is more important. Sorry.
AFAIK, in countries with an 'opt-in' policy, less than 50% is a registered donor.
[deleted]
It's actually quite amazing how important appearance is, for people that have had it stripped away from them.
My girlfriend, a cancer survivor, envisions a young adult cancer charity that focuses on the cosmetic aspects of treatment: paying for wigs, teaching girls how to do makeup. At first, I thought her idea was missing the point, but then she explained to me how uplifting it is to have some modicum of control over your appearance during treatment and recovery.
My girlfriend, a cancer survivor, envisions a young adult cancer charity that focuses on the cosmetic aspects of treatment: paying for wigs, teaching girls how to do makeup. At first, I thought her idea was missing the point, but then she explained to me how uplifting it is to have some modicum of control over your appearance during treatment and recovery.
Few patients suffer more of mental discomfort than the unfortunate possessors of some unsightly disfigurement on the face which attracts constant notice, few are more solicitous for any operation which promises relief, and none are more grateful for the slightest improvement in their condition
http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2004/1/...
Not strange. Actual pain has known bounds, but if you have some unsightliness, you never know what people are thinking. Socially, you might be a monster--and you can't tell.
http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/2004/1/...
Not strange. Actual pain has known bounds, but if you have some unsightliness, you never know what people are thinking. Socially, you might be a monster--and you can't tell.
Man I can't wait until we can put a bunch of stem cells on scaffolding and reactivate certain embryogenic pathways to grow organs. Maybe even faces, though what you'd get is a baby face.
You wouldn't get a baby face. The shape of the face is determined by the bones under it, not by the skin on top. (Although the skin would be smooth, and not lined.) So a face donor recipient does not get the face of the donor.
Also, faces (i.e. skin) is actually the easiest organ to grow, and doesn't need stem cells. I read about a burn victim where they took some skin from under his belt buckle (The only non burned skin on him), and stretched, then split, then stretched some more till they were able to cover him (took months).
Also, faces (i.e. skin) is actually the easiest organ to grow, and doesn't need stem cells. I read about a burn victim where they took some skin from under his belt buckle (The only non burned skin on him), and stretched, then split, then stretched some more till they were able to cover him (took months).
I think what they have done here is a real victory for science. Also they have given back something that we all take for granted. It makes you wonder what we will be able to do next.
I just realized why I got a strange feeling. Her face looks like a Mii! (In the most tasteful fashion.)
Damn, couldn't they do something about her cheeks?
it said that they are going to deal with her cheeks once her nerves and muscles grow in better. It'll be most telling a year or two from now once it all settles down and they can fix some of the drooping problems. I hope to see a followup someday - it'd be super amazing to see the difference.
Look at the before picture. She had weird cheeks anyway.
It's nice to see that in this world of open source, patents are getting some attention and IP is still valued.