Dr. Cranquis' Mumbled Gripes

The First Ever Animated Cranquis Mail Reply!

Dr. Cranquis-
I’ve browsed your enormous blog, which has provided much insight and humor, yet have a couple questions I don’t believe you’ve previously covered. I hope you don’t mind my combining both questions into one message… =)
1) What are your thoughts/critiques on being a registered organ donor? I have yet to hear the opinion from a physician on this topic…
2) On a similar note, what’s your opinion regarding post-mortem body donation?
Thank you for your time! 

— determined4medschool 

Excellent questions, Mr (or Ms) Determined. Um, perhaps I will just call you Hun Determined? [HEY! A Cranquis-Nym! When’s the last time I handed out one of those?!]

Anyways, first of all, I think I speak for 99 percent of all physicians and patients when I say, please please register yourself as an organ donor. People die every day for lack of an organ, while other people die with perfectly good organs which are then buried, cremated, or eaten by sharks. (Well, I suppose that being eaten by a shark is a good excuse not to donate your organs… and there are other legitimate medical and religious reasons to not donate organs, too). But overall, it’s one of the best things you can do with your (hopefully none-too-soon) death.

(And yes, I am a registered organ donor myself. Mrs. Cranquis is also an organ donor. Actually, we are both registered as full body donors. Once we die, we want our bodies to be used in whatever way could best bring healing or life to someone else. And we are certain that our families would be glad to know that some portions of our physical selves still live on and serve a purpose in another person.)

Now as to your question about post mortem body donation: I suppose you are asking about situations when a person dies without leaving any instructions about organ donation, and the family is asked to consider donating the body for organ harvesting or medical research? Obviously, that type of situation is very emotional and sensitive, and forces the family to make decisions at a time when they are still trying to grasp the enormity of their loved ones death. I think it’s an important option for the healthcare providers to present to the grieving family, but I also think it’s even more important to try to avoid putting your own family into that situation. So do the smart thing: Plan ahead! Make an advance directive, and also register with your state or country’s organ donation database. [OH! And discuss your end of life desires with your family! Here’s one reader’s story of how her mother’s death was made easier by her mother’s prior preparations.]

This will save your family a lot of stress at the time of your demise. (Unless you get eaten by sharks — because sharks are notoriously bad at following advance directives, or cooperating with organ donation organizations.)

(Cranquis Mail box is still closed. I have 4 more ancient CM’s to reply to, but I am freshly motivated to create replies using this new (free!) animation software from xtranormal.com — so hopefully I can get those other replies done within the next few weeks.)