Carl did, and here is his blog.
http://carlanddawn.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label Organ Donation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organ Donation. Show all posts
Sunday, September 23, 2007
News from around the world
Well, actually from one other country. Here is a small article on Yahoo News, from Hong Kong about a living donor. Click here. Thanks to Josh for finding it.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Curent numbers
Waiting list candidates as of today 9:31am 9/11/07
97,216
http://www.optn.org/data
332 people have been added to the waiting list in 23 days.
97,216
http://www.optn.org/data
332 people have been added to the waiting list in 23 days.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
So cool
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,294607,00.html
FoxNews.com reported that an 8 month old boy received a FIVE organ transplant of the gastrointestinal tract. The organs did come from a single donor.
FoxNews.com reported that an 8 month old boy received a FIVE organ transplant of the gastrointestinal tract. The organs did come from a single donor.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
A side note
One of the web sites I visit frequently had this article.
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1814
It is about a photographer that documented the last days of a womans life very close and "inside". He talks about being inside versus outside regarding the subject.
When I asked a photographer from a local paper to document my journey as a liver donor, it was this access I was trying to provide. Not many times do they get that kind of an opportunity.
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1814
It is about a photographer that documented the last days of a womans life very close and "inside". He talks about being inside versus outside regarding the subject.
When I asked a photographer from a local paper to document my journey as a liver donor, it was this access I was trying to provide. Not many times do they get that kind of an opportunity.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Current numbers
Waiting list candidates 96,884 as of today 5:15pm
Data from OPTN.org
It's amazing how fast the numbers are rising. We will have 100,000 people waiting for an organ probably in less than a year (by my estimate nothing to substantiate those numbers). I can only assume that the number of people that die every day will rise accordingly. Right now, I believe that number is about 17 people die every day waiting for an organ.
CORE has updated is Facts and Statistics page. It's an interesting read.
Data from OPTN.org
It's amazing how fast the numbers are rising. We will have 100,000 people waiting for an organ probably in less than a year (by my estimate nothing to substantiate those numbers). I can only assume that the number of people that die every day will rise accordingly. Right now, I believe that number is about 17 people die every day waiting for an organ.
CORE has updated is Facts and Statistics page. It's an interesting read.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Back in action
Okay, wow, like, it's been a while.
I still have a few hangers on. I appreciate it. Really, I do.
Now that I have a real job, (taking care of my kids) I don't have time for the frivolous stuff like blogging. (tongue in cheek) Sort of.
So, here's a nutshell update.
Moved out (you already know that)
No regular paycheck (you already know that too)
Trying to get a photography studio off the ground.
Looking for a corporate type gig (otherwise know as a "job")
Trying to adjust to living in a box with 5 other people......moving in with the recipient and the recipient's spouse is a HUGE adjustment. My kids are not as enthusiastic about it anymore either. I am sure it goes both ways though.
Next week I get to go "home" for a few days. My 20 year class reunion is Aug 10/11. Almost didn't get to go. I would have been truly bummed if that had happened. Truly.
For three weeks, I have been hanging out with our summer visitor.....She is legally a niece. But because of my superior way of being specifically ambiguous, I will call her....OldestD. It has been fun, and trying. From OldestD's perspective, I am the "entertainment". Since I don't have a day job, it's up to me to keep the kids entertained. Swimming, food, shopping, trips ANYWHERE out of the house. You know. Everything I have waited to do since I was a young teenager. Being a DAD is nothing short of great. Wish OldestD could stay forever. Wish she could have been with us these past years....
Other things happening are:
The recipient has been taken off some more medications. He is doing very well since the transplant. Even in the past three weeks, things are better. He was really tired for quite some time. Early to bed. Late to rise. Mid day nap for a few hours, then back to bed early at night. Now, the nap is essentially gone. Strength is still low and a few other issues exist like the lost feeling in fingers of the left hand. Still there.
I have been monitoring the numbers, but obviously haven't posted any. Here they are:
Waiting list candidates: 96,940 as of today 11:22am (8/5/07)
It won't be long until the list tops 97 THOUSAND people waiting for an organ. I guess I should do my part.
A little FYI. Over the summer, there was an ad campaign on TV about teen drivers. While I am not a teen driver, I have one that is of age, and two that are becoming aware of driving. They ask the speed limit. Recognize red lights (and green ones too). The stats from SADD (culled from the NTSB) say in 2005, 43,200 died in traffic accidents. That same year, 3,467 15- to 20-year-old drivers were killed in accidents. (Not in additions to, but as a part of).
Looking on the CORE web site. I found some interesting bits of information. First, one:
If I die of a heart attack, can I be an organ donor?
No. For traditional organ donation, a person needs to be in a hospital and on a ventilator at the time of death. If someone dies of a heart attack, that person may donate tissue, but not organs.
Another one that is a big bummer, but understandable (source here) :
Donation Facts
-Under a program called "Routine Referral"
...However, when an individual dies outside the hospital setting, the individual may be able to donate tissue or corneas, but not organs.
Those two items have been the most troubling for me. The death outside a hospital was surprising. But my limited knowledge of anatomy, I will assume that when the heart stops beating, the organs begin to deteriorate. Thus, in a car accident, it can be several minutes (tens of minutes) before a crew could extricate a decedent. By that time the organs are in pretty bad shape. Not exactly something to put into another person huh.
With those two items, I can begin to understand how important it is to have more and more people to be organ donors. Right now, so many people die in car accidents, they are probably the bulk of organ donors. If the death occurs in the car, then they cannot donate.
Kind of a strange irony.
I still have a few hangers on. I appreciate it. Really, I do.
Now that I have a real job, (taking care of my kids) I don't have time for the frivolous stuff like blogging. (tongue in cheek) Sort of.
So, here's a nutshell update.
Moved out (you already know that)
No regular paycheck (you already know that too)
Trying to get a photography studio off the ground.
Looking for a corporate type gig (otherwise know as a "job")
Trying to adjust to living in a box with 5 other people......moving in with the recipient and the recipient's spouse is a HUGE adjustment. My kids are not as enthusiastic about it anymore either. I am sure it goes both ways though.
Next week I get to go "home" for a few days. My 20 year class reunion is Aug 10/11. Almost didn't get to go. I would have been truly bummed if that had happened. Truly.
For three weeks, I have been hanging out with our summer visitor.....She is legally a niece. But because of my superior way of being specifically ambiguous, I will call her....OldestD. It has been fun, and trying. From OldestD's perspective, I am the "entertainment". Since I don't have a day job, it's up to me to keep the kids entertained. Swimming, food, shopping, trips ANYWHERE out of the house. You know. Everything I have waited to do since I was a young teenager. Being a DAD is nothing short of great. Wish OldestD could stay forever. Wish she could have been with us these past years....
Other things happening are:
The recipient has been taken off some more medications. He is doing very well since the transplant. Even in the past three weeks, things are better. He was really tired for quite some time. Early to bed. Late to rise. Mid day nap for a few hours, then back to bed early at night. Now, the nap is essentially gone. Strength is still low and a few other issues exist like the lost feeling in fingers of the left hand. Still there.
I have been monitoring the numbers, but obviously haven't posted any. Here they are:
Waiting list candidates: 96,940 as of today 11:22am (8/5/07)
It won't be long until the list tops 97 THOUSAND people waiting for an organ. I guess I should do my part.
A little FYI. Over the summer, there was an ad campaign on TV about teen drivers. While I am not a teen driver, I have one that is of age, and two that are becoming aware of driving. They ask the speed limit. Recognize red lights (and green ones too). The stats from SADD (culled from the NTSB) say in 2005, 43,200 died in traffic accidents. That same year, 3,467 15- to 20-year-old drivers were killed in accidents. (Not in additions to, but as a part of).
Looking on the CORE web site. I found some interesting bits of information. First, one:
If I die of a heart attack, can I be an organ donor?
No. For traditional organ donation, a person needs to be in a hospital and on a ventilator at the time of death. If someone dies of a heart attack, that person may donate tissue, but not organs.
Another one that is a big bummer, but understandable (source here) :
Donation Facts
-Under a program called "Routine Referral"
...However, when an individual dies outside the hospital setting, the individual may be able to donate tissue or corneas, but not organs.
Those two items have been the most troubling for me. The death outside a hospital was surprising. But my limited knowledge of anatomy, I will assume that when the heart stops beating, the organs begin to deteriorate. Thus, in a car accident, it can be several minutes (tens of minutes) before a crew could extricate a decedent. By that time the organs are in pretty bad shape. Not exactly something to put into another person huh.
With those two items, I can begin to understand how important it is to have more and more people to be organ donors. Right now, so many people die in car accidents, they are probably the bulk of organ donors. If the death occurs in the car, then they cannot donate.
Kind of a strange irony.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
How's this for a real causal effect
TNT channel has a new series centered around organ transplants.
http://www.upmc.com and the TNT site.
http://www.upmc.com and the TNT site.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Current events
I am heading in a different direction professionally. I have two photographers looking over my portfolio and am thinking about moving whole heartedly towards being a pro photog. Another local pro has offered me a 1/3 partnership. We will talk about this in more detail Friday morning.
I also got a call from "C" (you can see her picture here http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007/513681626) her daughter is an up and coming photog and she wanted to know if I could offer any guidance. Of course I will!
One of the things the recipient gets is TIRED. He naps for a few hours every afternoon and I think he's getting a full night's sleep. But after 3 months, he can do more things, but it really saps the energy. We worked together today on a workbench in the new garage. I could see him struggling with the tools and with his strength. While it's better than is was 6 or 12 months ago, it's tough to see him like this.
I put up a new link down on to the right, but here it is anyway http://transplantheadquarters.blogspot.com there are many thing organ donation related on here. I haven't gone to far into it, but it's a plethera of info.
I also got a call from "C" (you can see her picture here http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007/513681626) her daughter is an up and coming photog and she wanted to know if I could offer any guidance. Of course I will!
One of the things the recipient gets is TIRED. He naps for a few hours every afternoon and I think he's getting a full night's sleep. But after 3 months, he can do more things, but it really saps the energy. We worked together today on a workbench in the new garage. I could see him struggling with the tools and with his strength. While it's better than is was 6 or 12 months ago, it's tough to see him like this.
I put up a new link down on to the right, but here it is anyway http://transplantheadquarters.blogspot.com there are many thing organ donation related on here. I haven't gone to far into it, but it's a plethera of info.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Not what we like to hear
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,280732,00.html
A woman working for Tennessee Apparel wanted to donate a kidney to a distant relative, sort of. But the company won't keep her job available if she donates. Because the surgery is an elective, they don't have to follow the FMLA.
Now, when I first read this, I was a bit concerned about it. But after reading the article, she is also the sole financial provider for the family. Strike one. She has three kids, that apparently get sick often. Strike two. The third strike for me is thinking about the lack of care she nad her immediate family will get during her recovery. Sure, organ donation is important, but she and her family is too.
This is just one fo the issues facing everyone that is a living donor, what happens after I donate.
A woman working for Tennessee Apparel wanted to donate a kidney to a distant relative, sort of. But the company won't keep her job available if she donates. Because the surgery is an elective, they don't have to follow the FMLA.
Now, when I first read this, I was a bit concerned about it. But after reading the article, she is also the sole financial provider for the family. Strike one. She has three kids, that apparently get sick often. Strike two. The third strike for me is thinking about the lack of care she nad her immediate family will get during her recovery. Sure, organ donation is important, but she and her family is too.
This is just one fo the issues facing everyone that is a living donor, what happens after I donate.
A new era
Over the past week to two weeks, I have been coming up with something of a new plan for my professional career path. Flash back to last summer when the recipient was really sick, we (actually just me) were thinking that if the recipient did pass away, we would fast track it back to the Great State of WA. Come fall, I was offering a slab of my own liver. Last November, I wasn't able to donate. This winter (February) the recipient received a liver. Spring=change, and we bought a house here north of Pittsburgh, thus securing our medium term stay, extending the 5 years that we (again, probably just me) would give Pittsburgh......sigh
Now, given my wifes penchant for being in a constant state of chaos, we are getting ready to move into said house. The recipient and spouse have most of their stuff in the house, and the flooring and paint is supposed to be going in. When I say "in the house" that's literally. The dining room and living rooms are FULL of their stuff. Both floors also have to be replaced so we will be doing a lot of move everything there, then move it again then move it AGAIN. Something I loathe!
So, that effectively brings you current.
The new era.....I would really like to head in the direction of a photography. Really! I would. Our new house has an out building that could server as an office/SMALL studio. I mean REALLY small studio. I also got a shot of hope from a Canadian web site that focuses on social change. You can see their images here http://www.photosensitive.com. Last month I was also reading about NGO's, otherwise known as Non Governmental Organizations. BIG non profits that are about bringing about the betterment of the world, one country at a time. The photographers that work for the NGO's are usually contract photogs. In some cases they are actually staff employees, but not often.
Right now I am in the discovery phase of the process. After I do my research, I will take the information I learn and to move forward by creating a non profit foundation/organization. File for the 501(c)(3) tax status. That will put me in the position of being able to request tax exempt donations from large corporations and individuals that might be sympathetic to organ donation and it's various associated causes. Right now, my cause is commendable, but I can honestly say, being successful puts me into the position of sacrifice that frankly, I am not prepared to perform. I don't mind working hard, but there has to be a payoff. My family can't eat off great pictures of organ donors. If I can actually pull a salary as a photographer, then putting 110% into this cause can then actually create some change. To wit there are 96,667 people waiting for organs this afternoon.
I have another photographer friend of mine that has offered to pull me in as a 1/3 partner. That should bring is some weddings and perhaps some team and individual portrait jobs next spring/summer. It's a tough gig to work full time on the weekdays, then shoot weddings and sports on the weekends. That's where I am not willing to sacrifice quite yet. The kids are young and I am involved, so I an staying on the side of caution before I jump headlong in to the mosh pit.
Now, given my wifes penchant for being in a constant state of chaos, we are getting ready to move into said house. The recipient and spouse have most of their stuff in the house, and the flooring and paint is supposed to be going in. When I say "in the house" that's literally. The dining room and living rooms are FULL of their stuff. Both floors also have to be replaced so we will be doing a lot of move everything there, then move it again then move it AGAIN. Something I loathe!
So, that effectively brings you current.
The new era.....I would really like to head in the direction of a photography. Really! I would. Our new house has an out building that could server as an office/SMALL studio. I mean REALLY small studio. I also got a shot of hope from a Canadian web site that focuses on social change. You can see their images here http://www.photosensitive.com. Last month I was also reading about NGO's, otherwise known as Non Governmental Organizations. BIG non profits that are about bringing about the betterment of the world, one country at a time. The photographers that work for the NGO's are usually contract photogs. In some cases they are actually staff employees, but not often.
Right now I am in the discovery phase of the process. After I do my research, I will take the information I learn and to move forward by creating a non profit foundation/organization. File for the 501(c)(3) tax status. That will put me in the position of being able to request tax exempt donations from large corporations and individuals that might be sympathetic to organ donation and it's various associated causes. Right now, my cause is commendable, but I can honestly say, being successful puts me into the position of sacrifice that frankly, I am not prepared to perform. I don't mind working hard, but there has to be a payoff. My family can't eat off great pictures of organ donors. If I can actually pull a salary as a photographer, then putting 110% into this cause can then actually create some change. To wit there are 96,667 people waiting for organs this afternoon.
I have another photographer friend of mine that has offered to pull me in as a 1/3 partner. That should bring is some weddings and perhaps some team and individual portrait jobs next spring/summer. It's a tough gig to work full time on the weekdays, then shoot weddings and sports on the weekends. That's where I am not willing to sacrifice quite yet. The kids are young and I am involved, so I an staying on the side of caution before I jump headlong in to the mosh pit.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
In the news
A Dutch TV show is raising some controversy with it's crazy antics. A woman is going to have a game show to see who will get one of her kidneys while she is alive.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276043,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18919768
It interesting that in the article people are quoted saying it disgusting that this show will air and they want to shut it down. Yet, no one offers any suggestions on how to fix the issue of people waiting so long for an organ. In the Netherlands, their average wait is 4 years.
It's great that someone took some outside thinking to bring about an awareness. Here in the US, our numbers are significantly higher than those in the Netherlands. Currently the accepted (average) number is 17 people die every day waiting for an organ. That puts us around 6,200 annual deaths. Right now, there are 96,470 people on the waiting list.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276043,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18919768
It interesting that in the article people are quoted saying it disgusting that this show will air and they want to shut it down. Yet, no one offers any suggestions on how to fix the issue of people waiting so long for an organ. In the Netherlands, their average wait is 4 years.
It's great that someone took some outside thinking to bring about an awareness. Here in the US, our numbers are significantly higher than those in the Netherlands. Currently the accepted (average) number is 17 people die every day waiting for an organ. That puts us around 6,200 annual deaths. Right now, there are 96,470 people on the waiting list.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Southern hospitality
In all honesty, I was a mark. But (I hope) it became more than that.
"C" needed more numbers. And truthfully, the first words that I digested were "5,000 free miles".
Funny, that's what I need to get a ticket back home for my 20 year reunion this summer. She asked me to fill out a credit application. Quickly showing me where to sign, fill in and check there, there and there. It was rushed but if I actually had time to think about it, I am sure I wouldn't have done it....but that 5,000 free miles was my enticement.
I slowed and tried to have a conversation with "C". She had numbers to get and I wasn't helping by keeping her from the "zone". Airports are a target rich environment, but time is fleeting. Her numbers were impressive. Much more than I would have thought.
After I filled out the application, I watched her. Well, I watched for a couple of reasons. One, she was dynamic. Very engaging. Secondly, she's beautiful and had an incredible southern voice. She would engage the passengers as they went from gate to gate. Some would slow and several would approach. Her style was all charm and hospitality. In between her attempts to get applicants, we would engage in small talk. Before long my plane was ready to board so I had to move along. After I checked in, (I was flying stand by) I returned to ask if I could take her picture for a project. We discussed the One A Day project and her standing on organ donation. She got involved many years ago when a family member got sick. Organ donation wouldn't have helped in that case, but it was still something that was near and dear to her.
Currently, she helps raise money for sick children. She had contacts to celebrities and creates events involving these celebrities and the children. But she is a behind the scenes person. Ironically, I put her front and center in my camera and she shines.
You can see her picture here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007/513681626
or all the OAD images here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007
"C" needed more numbers. And truthfully, the first words that I digested were "5,000 free miles".
Funny, that's what I need to get a ticket back home for my 20 year reunion this summer. She asked me to fill out a credit application. Quickly showing me where to sign, fill in and check there, there and there. It was rushed but if I actually had time to think about it, I am sure I wouldn't have done it....but that 5,000 free miles was my enticement.
I slowed and tried to have a conversation with "C". She had numbers to get and I wasn't helping by keeping her from the "zone". Airports are a target rich environment, but time is fleeting. Her numbers were impressive. Much more than I would have thought.
After I filled out the application, I watched her. Well, I watched for a couple of reasons. One, she was dynamic. Very engaging. Secondly, she's beautiful and had an incredible southern voice. She would engage the passengers as they went from gate to gate. Some would slow and several would approach. Her style was all charm and hospitality. In between her attempts to get applicants, we would engage in small talk. Before long my plane was ready to board so I had to move along. After I checked in, (I was flying stand by) I returned to ask if I could take her picture for a project. We discussed the One A Day project and her standing on organ donation. She got involved many years ago when a family member got sick. Organ donation wouldn't have helped in that case, but it was still something that was near and dear to her.
Currently, she helps raise money for sick children. She had contacts to celebrities and creates events involving these celebrities and the children. But she is a behind the scenes person. Ironically, I put her front and center in my camera and she shines.
You can see her picture here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007/513681626
or all the OAD images here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Neat story
I was talking to someone today and they told me about story of their relatives, co workers spouse.....whew...was diagnosed with a liver disease. Not long after, they said they need a transplant. VERY shortly after that, they received one BUT they were asked if they would be willing to donate a portion of that new liver to a pediatric patient waiting for a liver too. Of course, they said yes.
Sorry i don't have any more details, it's pretty much how it was told to me. But the fact that more and more of these transplants are happening is pretty neat. Since the liver regenerates from any size, the pediatric patients only need a very small portion and it will grow to it's proper size once implanted. The adult can live without a that small portion given to the child too since the larger portion will regenerate to it's proper size.
That's soooo, cooool.
Sorry i don't have any more details, it's pretty much how it was told to me. But the fact that more and more of these transplants are happening is pretty neat. Since the liver regenerates from any size, the pediatric patients only need a very small portion and it will grow to it's proper size once implanted. The adult can live without a that small portion given to the child too since the larger portion will regenerate to it's proper size.
That's soooo, cooool.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Encore, encore
"I called out Sue's name twice, and the second time she raised her hand," he said. "I announced we had to get her to Pittsburgh, to the children's hospital, that they had a heart for her little boy." - Pennsylvania State Police
That is an excerpt from this Fox News article about a boy getting an opportunity at life from a live saving organ donor but also, because of technology. They were at a concert and his mother had a cell phone that was able to be located from GPS, but I think it was triangulation. GPS is a receiver, cell phones send out signals that can be triangulated.
If the venue that she was at had a cell phone jammer (which is illegal right now in the US but some want to change that) or if her phone was turned off, he may have missed an opportunity at a new heart.
Jammer info:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone-jammer.htm
http://www.slate.com/id/2092059/ This is an old article, but may still apply.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=operations_2&id=cellular
The important thing is the fact that someone donated their heart to John.
Our current numbers are:
That is an excerpt from this Fox News article about a boy getting an opportunity at life from a live saving organ donor but also, because of technology. They were at a concert and his mother had a cell phone that was able to be located from GPS, but I think it was triangulation. GPS is a receiver, cell phones send out signals that can be triangulated.
If the venue that she was at had a cell phone jammer (which is illegal right now in the US but some want to change that) or if her phone was turned off, he may have missed an opportunity at a new heart.
Jammer info:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone-jammer.htm
http://www.slate.com/id/2092059/ This is an old article, but may still apply.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=operations_2&id=cellular
The important thing is the fact that someone donated their heart to John.
Our current numbers are:
| Waiting list candidates as of today 10:59am | |
|---|---|
All  | 96,371 |
| Kidney | 71,598 |
| Pancreas | 1,683 |
| Kidney/Pancreas | 2,356 |
| Liver | 16,855 |
| Intestine | 231 |
| Heart | 2,778 |
| Lung | 2,756 |
| Heart/Lung | 124 |
| All candidates will be less than the sum due to candidates waiting for multiple organs | |
| Transplants performed January - February 2007 | |
|---|---|
| Total | 4,424 |
| Deceased Donor | 3,414 |
| Living Donor | 1,010 |
| Based on OPTN data as of 05/04/2007 | |
| Donors recovered January - February 2007 | |
|---|---|
| Total | 2,274 |
| Deceased Donor | 1,266 |
| Living Donor | 1,008 |
| Based on OPTN data as of 05/04/2007 | |
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Timing is everything
Yesterday, I was perusing a site I frequent very often. www.sportsshooter.com which has some of the worlds greatest photographers as it's members.
I delve into the main site every so often but I read the forums most. but since I am not a member of the site, I cannot participate, post or view some parts of the site......
I read a forum post from one of the members and replied via the email feature, which I can use. We struck up an email conversation that was very, very nice. We had a few things in common and it lead to a discussion about a few things including organ donation, our pasts, our futures and dreams.
The photographer is an organ donor, has a family member that received an organ, and is also struggling with someone near and dear that may be in the early or middle stages of liver disease. We talked about the difficulty dealing with someone that isn't necessarily in denial, but refuses to accept help or seek treatment.
Our conversation went in other directions too, but I was struck by the casualness of our email conversation.
I had asked her early on if she could spare some time to review some of my own images I that have made in the last year or so. Having a true professional photographer review your work is always beneficial and scary. Most photographers are pretty critical and detail oriented. We are our own worst enemies. And having a "peer" (and I use that term loosely since I am not a "true" professional (yet)) review can only benefit me as a budding professional photographer.
To view her work, head here: http://www.jodygomez.com
I delve into the main site every so often but I read the forums most. but since I am not a member of the site, I cannot participate, post or view some parts of the site......
I read a forum post from one of the members and replied via the email feature, which I can use. We struck up an email conversation that was very, very nice. We had a few things in common and it lead to a discussion about a few things including organ donation, our pasts, our futures and dreams.
The photographer is an organ donor, has a family member that received an organ, and is also struggling with someone near and dear that may be in the early or middle stages of liver disease. We talked about the difficulty dealing with someone that isn't necessarily in denial, but refuses to accept help or seek treatment.
Our conversation went in other directions too, but I was struck by the casualness of our email conversation.
I had asked her early on if she could spare some time to review some of my own images I that have made in the last year or so. Having a true professional photographer review your work is always beneficial and scary. Most photographers are pretty critical and detail oriented. We are our own worst enemies. And having a "peer" (and I use that term loosely since I am not a "true" professional (yet)) review can only benefit me as a budding professional photographer.
To view her work, head here: http://www.jodygomez.com
Making it up as I go
It is May 2007 now. Last month, April, was National Donate Life Month. I saw ZERO national efforts regarding organ donation. I watch the news (NBC Brian Williams, ABC nightly news and CNN) on my iPod at least 4 of 7 days a week. In all of April, none of them had a story on organ donation. Locally, I don't watch the news since I am editing pictures at night from the previous weeks events or I am sleeping.
It is pretty disappointing to say the least. But in all fairness (because that's what I am about), I wasn't out there doing interviews or getting portraits either, so I am not pointing a finger, just making an observation.
I looked back on the numbers and unfortunately, I didn't do a good job posting last month. My post on Mar 26 shows 95,611 waiting for organs. April 10 shows 95,978 and May 1 (today) shows 96,254. There was an increase of 643 people waiting based on those numbers. Of course many have been added and dropped because they got organs or they died waiting for an organ. Out of the 36 days between Mar26 and May1, it averages just over 17 people per day being added to the list. 17.8 actually.
All of last month, I wore a Donate Life pin. It's a red heart/ribbon type of pin. I put a sticker on it with the number of people waiting for an organ. The first day I wore it, someone asked what it was. Yesterday, someone else asked. I don't remember anyone asking at any other time of the month. Very strange indeed.
It is pretty disappointing to say the least. But in all fairness (because that's what I am about), I wasn't out there doing interviews or getting portraits either, so I am not pointing a finger, just making an observation.
I looked back on the numbers and unfortunately, I didn't do a good job posting last month. My post on Mar 26 shows 95,611 waiting for organs. April 10 shows 95,978 and May 1 (today) shows 96,254. There was an increase of 643 people waiting based on those numbers. Of course many have been added and dropped because they got organs or they died waiting for an organ. Out of the 36 days between Mar26 and May1, it averages just over 17 people per day being added to the list. 17.8 actually.
All of last month, I wore a Donate Life pin. It's a red heart/ribbon type of pin. I put a sticker on it with the number of people waiting for an organ. The first day I wore it, someone asked what it was. Yesterday, someone else asked. I don't remember anyone asking at any other time of the month. Very strange indeed.
Friday, April 13, 2007
A New High...or a low
The United States went over 96 THOUSAND people waiting for organs today.
| Waiting list candidates as of today 12:17pm | |
|---|---|
| All | 96,003 |
| Kidney | 71,120 |
| Pancreas | 1,728 |
| Kidney/Pancreas | 2,364 |
| Liver | 16,912 |
| Intestine | 234 |
| Heart | 2,781 |
| Lung | 2,808 |
| Heart/Lung | 125 |
| All candidates will be less than the sum due to candidates waiting for multiple organs | |
| Transplants performed January - January 2007 | |
|---|---|
| Total | 2,268 |
| Deceased Donor | 1,724 |
| Living Donor | 544 |
| Based on OPTN data as of 04/06/2007 | |
| Donors recovered January - January 2007 | |
|---|---|
| Total | 1,191 |
| Deceased Donor | 648 |
| Living Donor | 543 |
| Based on OPTN data as of 04/06/2007 | |
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Med Update
It's been a while since a med update and this one will be pretty sparse.
The recipient is still having problems with the three fingers of his left hand. There is little or no movement and they are always swollen. Because of the damage, he went in for an MRI Monday 4/9/07. The results are supposed to be back on Friday 4/13/07. So while I don't have a prognosis on that issue, it is, nonetheless, an update.
As for the rest of him, he is getting stronger every day. Little or no pain. His legs used to be really restless at night and has suffered from "charlie horses" for YEARS. It is my understanding, that all that has gone away or been so reduced in frequency that they are non issues now.
He does have sore knees in the morning, but it's most likely from the way he sleeps at night. He has also been gaining weight which means he is absorbing the nutrients from the food he eats and that means the liver is producing enzymes and functioning properly.
Yeayyyy.
The recipient is still having problems with the three fingers of his left hand. There is little or no movement and they are always swollen. Because of the damage, he went in for an MRI Monday 4/9/07. The results are supposed to be back on Friday 4/13/07. So while I don't have a prognosis on that issue, it is, nonetheless, an update.
As for the rest of him, he is getting stronger every day. Little or no pain. His legs used to be really restless at night and has suffered from "charlie horses" for YEARS. It is my understanding, that all that has gone away or been so reduced in frequency that they are non issues now.
He does have sore knees in the morning, but it's most likely from the way he sleeps at night. He has also been gaining weight which means he is absorbing the nutrients from the food he eats and that means the liver is producing enzymes and functioning properly.
Yeayyyy.
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