Opinion: A mom gives the other side of the organ donor story

Opinion: A mom gives the other side of the organ donor story

BY ARLENE THOMPSON

Last Wednesday, the Journal published a submission written by Michael Curran about the solace his family took from the organ donation process following the tragic death of his 20-year-old son Emerson. That story has struck a chord among our readers, including this heartfelt response.

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Thank you, Michael Curran, for writing your half of the story about organ donation, specifically your story about your son, Emerson.

I was overcome with emotion while reading it and felt I must respond. Here is the other half from my perspective as a mother.

I have a daughter, Suzanna Pomrenke, who at age 19 was diagnosed with lupus. It was not long after that we learned the lupus had destroyed her kidneys and she began dialysis.

Those years were not easy. What should have been the most exciting years of her life turned out to be the most devastating; physically, emotionally and mentally.

While her friends were off studying at university or college, travelling, socializing and developing relationships, she was stuck at home, tied to her dialysis schedule. Eventually she was able to go on peritoneal dialysis, which meant she could do the procedure at home.

She was determined to live as normal a life as possible, even to the point of taking a microwave oven with her camping so she could cart it to the washroom, plug it in and warm her dialysis solution to begin the process. This she did four times a day every day.

Suzanna was on dialysis for 4½ years. There were many days she felt so hopeless. She did not dare plan for any kind of a future.

Then on Jan. 30, 2009, she received a phone call. My son and his wife had been visiting us from Langley, B.C., and we had just sat down to a family fondue night. I answered the call and the lady asked for Suzanna.

We sat around the table listening and watching Suzanna as her eyes got wider and wider. I could tell by the answers she was giving that this was the call we all had hoped and prayed for.

Our meal sat untouched as we prepared for the trip to the hospital. There was a huge windstorm and there were branches lying in our path en route.

This was the third time Suzanna received a call like this. For the first two calls she was a “backup” recipient just in case the primary recipients were unable to go through with a transplant. We almost dared not hope that this could really be happening.

When we arrived at the University of Alberta Hospital, Suzanna was immediately admitted. It was a whirlwind of activity with doctors, nurses, technicians and others in and out of her room constantly.

We still could not believe this was happening and kept asking everyone for reassurance.

The operation did not take place until late the next day. She had to wait her turn among all of the other recipients.

I waited alone in her empty room while the transplant took place and all that was on my mind was the fact that someone had just died in order for this to happen.

I cried and prayed for the donor’s family and friends, that they would find some sort of comfort in all of their misery and sadness.

I felt guilty. This generosity was the ultimate gift that anyone could ever give to another human being, and to a stranger at that.

Suzanna has devoted herself to living the best and most productive life she possibly can in honour of her donor. In addition to her regular job she also works for the Kidney Foundation in promoting organ donation awareness events and speaking engagements. She takes her diet and fitness routines very seriously.

Kidney transplants only last on average about 10 years. She is trying to push that as far as she can into the future. So, Mr. Curran, the mere words “thank you” can in no way begin to convey the gratitude that the recipients of Emerson’s organs have for his gifts to them. Emerson and others have given life to so many people. Your son lives on.

Here are a few facts about organ donation:

Alberta does not have an organ donor registry at this time, although you can make your wishes known by signing the back of your health card and informing your family of your wishes.

For more information, contact the HOPE (Human Organ Procurement and Exchange) program:

For Edmonton and northern Alberta, as well as for Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, call 780-407-8411. For Calgary and southern Alberta, call 403-944-8700

Everyone should consider themselves potential donors, according to the Canadian Association of Transplantation, no matter your age or medical history.

Even if your organs can’t be used, it’s likely that you can be a tissue donor, giving anything from corneas to heart valves to a needy recipient.

In Alberta, about 75 people will die each year while waiting for an organ.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/Opinion+gives+other+side+organ+donor+story/8974395/story.html