Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Michael Jackson's Liver?

I was recently with a group that met a liver transplant recipient. What follows is the conversation that we had with her. Questions from various people in the room are in italics.

"I am so grateful for my transplant. It gave me a second chance at life."
"Have you met your donor's family?"
"No, but I feel as though I know my donor already."
"How so?"
"Well, I think that he's sharing my body."
"Because you have his liver?"
"No. A lot of strange things have happened to me since my transplant. For example, when I woke up from my surgery, I was holding my privates. Now, I'm not in the habit of holding myself down there, but I think it's because of the liver. I think my donor was a male."
"Oookay..."
"Also, I never used to like healthy stuff! Now I like to eat healthy foods, so I think my donor liked to eat healthy foods."
"Really? Like what?"
"You know...healthy stuff. Like I never used to like strawberry ice cream. Now it's my favorite. Also, I used to always get sunburned. Always. I was very fair-skinned and would burn if I was in the sun at all. So, I think that my donor was a person of color. My skin is much darker and more pigmented since the surgery. I think my donor was a person of color and my DNA is changing to be more like his."
"Really?"
"Yeah! I told my doctor but he just laughs. He won't test my DNA. I've talked to some nurses and stuff, but they don't have access to the DNA tests. I need the access!"
"Oh. That's too bad."
"Ooh! Have you guys watched that show Heartland on TNT? It's all about transplant and it's awesome. I mean, I probably enjoy it because I know so much about transplant, but you guys would like it too. Don't watch it this week cause it's the finale, but catch it in re-runs. It's great."
"Okay..."

Random thoughts cropped up in her mind every ten seconds over the next hour, but that was the gist of it. So, just to clear up any misconceptions:
1. Organ recipients do not take on the physical characteristics of their donors.
2. Your DNA can not be changed by a transplant. Or anything really besides radiation.
3. Ice cream is not a healthy food.
4. Heartland sucks.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Sam,
I am going to need you to put that transcript into a powerpoint presentation and present it following the HBOV and thoracic organ outcomes meetings on Monday....ok? Seriously, things just aren't the same without you around. I know you are rocking it for those waiting in the Northeast. Stop by when you are in town.

AH