I've had ideas for this post swirling around in my head for quite a long time now....always thinking about whether or not I should post about it........is it too much personal information, or is it just sharing information and raising awareness of a very important issue?
Although I value my privacy very highly (hence why there are no names and faces on my blog), I also feel a responsibility to highlight an issue that is deep within my heart (literally)!
This has become more of an issue for me this year as I have been out and about meeting lots of new crafty people via blogging and Brown Owls. If you've been reading my blog for a while, then you've probably noticed that I've never really mentioned much about working. When I meet new people, I'm often asked the question, "What do you do?".......most people expect to hear that I work for such and such company or that I'm a stay at home mum, or something else similar which is considered normal.
.
The reality is that I had to retire from my job in July last year (retirement sounds very weird when I'm still young). I have a chronic lung disease and I am going to require a lung transplant. I'm not on the waiting list yet, I'm just under regular review. I loved my job and I kept working for as long as I possibly could by reducing hours over the last few years that I was there but it came to a point where I had to choose between work and my health, and my health won.
So if you meet me and I'm huffing and puffing and a bit breathless, and if I can't get up the stairs, or the hill, or the slight incline, then that's the reason why! If you see someone wandering around a suburban craft market with an oxygen bottle then say 'HI' because it's probably me....just don't stare at me (which is what usually happens) because that's really really annoying.
The real reason for this post is to highlight the need for everyone to discuss organ donation with their families and sign up for the national register once you have made the decision to donate.
I have always had a link to the Organ Donor Register via the Medicare Australia website on my sidebar in the hope that some of my crafty pals would clickety click over there.
Think it over, discuss over dinner with your family, register, be well, and have a lovely weekend.....
27 comments:
I clicked a while ago Cam - good on you for posting. You're a goodie.
Nice Curlypops. Can we knit/crochet/craft some nice decorations for your oxygen bottle to style you right up.
My parter and I are already registered too. It's great to draw attention to the importance of organ donation.
The funny thing is that I have a little bag made from an asian style brocade fabric that I made when I first started sewing a few years ago and I use it to hang off the bottle trolley to store my tubing and nasal cannula. I have received so many nicw compliments about my little bag when I'm out and about...it's actually quite funny!
Thanks for sharing your story and for highlighting the importance of organ donation. Good luck in raising public awareness and best wishes for maintaining your own health!We are registered donors over here.
It's good of you to share your story. It helps awareness and stop people from staring.
I wish you good luck there and that things can get better with your health.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I was just looking at your buttons yesterday wishing I could click on them (this was at work and I have access to very few things here...long story). Of course, I'm not in Australia but I'm a very strong advocate for organ donation here in the states. It's something so easy to do and so important.
Well, have a good weekend and can't wait to see your progress with the knitted beret and/or beanie.
I don't think I've met you (properly) at Brown Owls yet, but Hi! I'm a registered donor too, it is hard to believe people could object to organ donation really, it's so terribly important.
Cam, good on you for telling your story. Not only does it highlight the importance of organ donation, but also how lucky those with good health are. We haven't discussed organ donation over here, but will now definitely do so thanks to your post. Thank you for sharing with us.
Beautifully written!
I am glad you shared your story as it is annoying being stared at.
You are an inspiration to everyone who knows you!
love your big sister
Thanks for the info, I wasn't really aware of the site, I have it registered on my drivers licence, but this national system is a lot better. Thanks for sharing and prompting me to have a think.
hey you!
thanks for sharing
i love honesty and opening up
we are organ donors
xx
Organ donors here. Good luck and I hope what you need is available when you need it xo
Hey Cam, that was a brave and honest step, and if anything it really helps to make us all more aware of organ donation, particularly when it effects someone that we know and care about. It's also important to get the message across to those of us who had never really given it enough thought. Guess what we'll be discussing at home tonight?
Very best Wishes,
Jen.
I am so glad you shared this Cam. I think I told you before, but my brother is alive because of a heart transplant. It's funny, because though most people would probably not object, they don't talk about it with those around them. It doesn't matter what is on their license etc, if the family member there after an accident doesn't know that is their wishes, they may say no just because the moment is so scary and stressful, and the last thing they want to think about is the death of their loved one. Which is why the only thing to do is educate people and talk about it.
I think I will mention this, and the American organization, on my blog as well. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love Stacy
Hey Cam,
Another organ donor registrant here good on you for sharing, definitely NOT too much information!
Cheerio
Belinda
Definitely NOT too much information. In fact, my husband and I signed up straight after I read your post. We both thought it was on our licenses, but upon checking couldn't see anything. So now we're registered properly. Thanks!!!
I'm so sorry to hear about your condition, but thank you for sharing! Hubby and I are both strong believers in organ donation and are signed up. It was certainly not too much information and it's personal stories like this, from people that you know, that really make people more aware of the need. Hugs to you.
Thank you for sharing your condition with us. Having some dodgy lungs myself, I know how annoying it can be... I've also registered as an organ donor, but doubt they'd want my lungs.
Good on you for putting yourself out there like this Cam. We're donors!
Thank you, thank you.
We have had the organ donation debate for many years here. Mr QM is against it (for what reasons I'm not entirely sure, but he is the kind of person who thinks the worst of doctors) but I've already told him he won't have a say when he dies - I'm sending off his good stuff to someone who can use them. Likewise I've told him that if he stops my organs from being harvested, I will haunt him forevermore, and it won't be a good haunting. It will be a very pissed off ghostly Michelle.
I now realise I can't change his opinion, so I've just signed up. Thanks for the link - I hadn't realised you could do it online.
xx
Great post Curlypops. Really important issue, and not one people openly talk about. We are registered donors, and with a little pop with dodgy lungs, we understand your position. You are an inspiration, really. I'm also with Big Cat though - need an O2 bottle cosy?
What an amazing post! That's a huge thing to put 'out there'. We have had this debate before too, and decided to do it, and then never got around it. Thanks for the kick up the bum (even though you may not have intended it that way!!) - knowing that you can do it online makes it a lot easier. I'll be onto this today.
A huge thank you for posting this Cam! Mike and I have been talking about registering for quite a while now, but couldn't quite decide yes or no. Reading your post has convinced me that we definately should. I guess we had put it off for so long because the thought of one of us loosing the other is just too horrible. It's so sad to hear that you had to give up your job because of your health (I have been there, but my reasons were nowhere near as big) but it's awesome that you now get to use your time now making lovely things and sharing them with all of us!
Thanks for sharing your story. Organ donation is such an important topic and I am a huge believer in the "opt out" rather than "opt in" system.
Its one of those discussions we have had at home, especially since becoming parents, the "what if" scenario.
Good luck and stay well.
X
thanks for sharing
my husband hates me banging on about organ donation, but I think it is shocking that our donation rate is so low here
thanks for bringing it up & getting people talking about it
Wow, I just found your blog today. I am so happy you shared your story with us. I definately don't think it is too much info. My Huband has been living with a heart transplant for 9 yrs now. He got it just before his 21st birthday. I have touched on it a little bit in my blog but it is a long story so I am waiting for a time when I can focus and really tell it. I am so glad you are raising awareness about Organ Donation. We will be praying for you and your health. Glad to see you have a good attitude about it all.
heh I missed this post but glad you wrote it! remember its your blog and you can write what you like!!!!
have fun at the wedding today too! love a good wedding!
Corrie:)
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