Robert D. Guyott
My husband, Robert Guyott, suffered a brain injury on August 17, 1994. After
he was declared brain dead on August 18, I was asked if I had thought about
organ donation. Since this was not something we had discussed and I had no
idea how he felt about organ donation, it was a difficult decision to make.
After talking with my children, we all agreed that this was the "right thing"
to do.We then met with the transplant coordinator at the hospital and agreed to donate the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. About two weeks later, I received a letter from the transplant coordinator telling me that the organs had been successfully transplanted. After receipt of that letter, I knew that I had definitely made the right decision. Our first Thanksgiving after my husband died was understandably a very sad occasion for us until my daughter said, "We're all sad because Dad isn't here with us today, but because of our decision, there are four other families who are very thankful today." Through my volunteer activities with Mid-America Transplant Services, I have met many donor families and recipients. I have not met one donor family who has said they were sorry they made the decision to donate. And when I meet the recipients who have received transplants and are doing well, it just reinforces my belief that I did the "right thing." The message that I try to convey to everyone is make your decision and share it with your family. Don't let them have to make this decision by themselves. Carolyn Guyott |
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