[ktwlpn]

It's just been announced that she has been removed from life support.The family refused to donate any of her organs....

[Q.]

Originally posted by SharonMH31
Now they don't like the Mahoney guy. Sheesh.

They? You mean me questioning the history of Mahoney? I don't think that is "not liking" the man. I think it's simply questioning if he has any other motives besides altruistic ones. And asking if he is translating is a legit question - not to mention if it's true, an ethical one at best.

[emily_mom]

But how many of her organs do you think are viable? I'm sure there were some, but maybe because of what happened.....

They will sue the hospital for all their worth (thanks to their advocate) and go home and give it to all of their relatives.

It is truly sad though. I'm glad that wasn't my family member.

Kristy

[Furball]

Her cornea's and skin would've been ok? I don't know. They probably aren't thinking very clearly in their grief and anger.

[sunnygirl272]

Originally posted by emily_mom
But how many of her organs do you think are viable? I'm sure there were some, but maybe because of what happened.....

i think it's hypocritical of them to choose now to not give anything...seems like a few piecesparts mighta been usable....

[bestblondRN]

Originally posted by Susy K
They? You mean me questioning the history of Mahoney? I don't think that is "not liking" the man. I think it's simply questioning if he has any other motives besides altruistic ones. And asking if he is translating is a legit question - not to mention if it's true, an ethical one at best.

Thank you, Susy.......I think these issues should be questioned. He just seems to be a little too zealous in his need to attack the physicians and the hospital, not to mention his emotional and inaccurate statements about life support ruining all the major organ systems. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the news tonight talking about how the Duke staff murdered her.

I'm sure we've all either been involved in or heard about medical botches, but the hospital is owning this one. I am not minimizing the loss this family and her friends feel, but I have to agree with mattsmom on this one--cerebral hemorrhage and the resulting swelling is a complication of the surgery, and they should have known that before Jesica had her surgery. This whole thing is laden with ethical and practice issues, but the fact remains that she was at high risk going into surgery the first time.

[nurs4kids]

She died. Very sad. My heart goes out to the family.

BUT, I have a real problem with a few things here..

First of all, I, like other's here, have watched numerous AMERICAN children die while awaiting organ transplant. Children of the AMERICAN WORKING CLASS. Dang straight I have a problem with us giving organs to immigrants (legal OR illegal) while our own children die.

Whether she was legal or illegal at the time of the operation is mute to me. She was ILLEGALLY smuggled into MY country and in my opinion, stole the life from two other Americans. May have been the child I cared for today. The child of hard working Americans. The child whose parent's have mediocre healthcare coverage. Their crime? Being born American and playing by the rules.

The next BIG problem I have with this whole thing is that the parents had the gall to refuse to donate organs. Their "state of mind" is of no excuse at this moment. These people have known the odds for this child for years now. These people KNOW the importance of organ donation. Their child was given, not one, but TWO sets of organs and they have the undecency to refuse organ donation??!!! THAT in itself tells me about all I need to know about them. Selfish.

And with that said..I also have a right to be selfish. I want to see MY country take care of its own citizens before they take on the world.

As for those who are in favor of this family obtaining a large settlement..
when OUR healthcare premiums rise beyond our paying capability..
remember, your bleeding heart supported one of the lawsuits that was instrumental in driving the cost of healthcare from the point of affordable to the point of unobtainable. The money to "compensate" this family WILL eventually be passed onto the taxpayer..one way or another.

Just proof once again..
If we'd have sent her and her family back as soon as we found they were illegal, everyone would be better off. She'd still be alive (right???), we wouldn't be facing a major lawsuit and two more AMERICANS on the transplant list would probably have their organs by now.

[baseline]

nurs4kids......well stated.

[roxannekkb]

If organ donation was international, then I would not have a problem with giving organs to people here illegally. But if I sneaked across the border to Mexico, would I get on their list for organ donation? For those who defend the right of illegals to get organs in this country, all aspects need to be considered. Could an American get a Mexican heart while Mexicans are waiting on a list? i think the system might work better if it was more international in scope, at least, including all countries on one continent.

As far as this Mahoney guy, I think its great how he took up the cause. On the other hand, he is totally out of line. Two weeks to get a second set of organs is miraculous. If he didn't think it was fast enough, perhaps he should have donated his own! And yes, a horrible mistake was made. We acknowledge that. But as I said before, the girl may have died in surgery or afterwards even with the proper match. Many people reject their organs and die. It's a fact. I tend to imagine that this Mahoney guy would be acting the same way if she died even after receiving the correct organs--if no mistake had been made.

And I think it is awful that they're not donating any of her organs. Shame on them, although, maybe it's Mahoney who's refusing for them. Who knows what he's translating for them.

[Q.]

I'd need confirmation that they refused donation.

Many organs could have been used for another little girl.

What is their rationale? 'Tis okay to receive but not give? Organ donation could have helped someone and also helped with the grief with the loss of Jesica.