What can I do to help???

[Heather]

Okay here is the story... My uncle who I was kind of close to when I was a kid is very sick. He is only like 40 some years old and is getting ready to die. A couple years back he was sick and needed a blood transfusion. He got one and then everything was okay (so we thought). He ended up getting Hepatitis (sp?) from the transfusion. Well it has now made his liver bad and he needs a liver transplant. Now here is the deal, I was talking with my mom about it after I saw him for the first time since he has become really sick (he looks horrible!) and she asked what blood type I was and I told her O+. Then she told me that if I wasn't pregnant then I would be a candidate to help him. Now I feel so bad because I could save his life, if only I wasn't pregnant. They are having a really hard time finding someone to help and his time is running out. I know that I can't donate my liver to him but, is there something else I can do? I feel so guilty that I can't help!!!

 

Heather

[Jenna]

Heather-

 

First of all- don't feel bad that you are pregnant. I TRULY believe that everything happens for a reason. Consider this, what if you weren't pregnant- and you gave blood (or something else-I don't know what the medical options are here)- and something happened to you. Maybe you are pregnant right now for a reason. I know it sounds far fetched- but in looking back at my own life at times I wondered why is this happening- it is clear to me now. I can see (in hind sight) that if certain things hadn't happened in my past- I wouldn't be where I am today.

 

If it were meant that you donate blood (or something else)- you would be in a position to do so. Since you aren't, then there is something else- non-medical that you can probably do. Help out with the children (if there are any), run errands for your aunt (if the uncle is married), sit with your uncle, read to him-keep him current on whats going on in areas that he is interested, if the family is in need of money- hold a fund raiser, bake sale, yard sale etc. Ask friends, family and church members to pray for him.

 

There are all kinds of things that you can do to help him and his family. Be very careful about exerting yourself- you have your own health (and your baby's) to think of first and foremost.

 

Make yourself available- it will surely be appreciated.

 

Jenna

Okay here is the story... My uncle who I was kind of close to when I was a kid is very sick. He is only like 40 some years old and is getting ready to die. A couple years back he was sick and needed a blood transfusion. He got one and then everything was okay (so we thought). He ended up getting Hepatitis (sp?) from the transfusion. Well it has now made his liver bad and he needs a liver transplant. Now here is the deal, I was talking with my mom about it after I saw him for the first time since he has become really sick (he looks horrible!) and she asked what blood type I was and I told her O+. Then she told me that if I wasn't pregnant then I would be a candidate to help him. Now I feel so bad because I could save his life, if only I wasn't pregnant. They are having a really hard time finding someone to help and his time is running out. I know that I can't donate my liver to him but, is there something else I can do? I feel so guilty that I can't help!!!

 

Heather

[Tony T]

Get some ideas from the blood bank. You may be able to pledge blood in the future for others who can give blook to your uncle now.

 

O+ blood type is very common. A call for donations of blood will bring in many unless you live in a very tiny town. I promise you, if this blood can save his life, it is quite readily available, even if it has to be brought from another town.

 

You can help your uncle a lot by not feeling guilty about being pregnant and about everything else that you have no control over.

 

You may also want to be an advocate for him with an organ donor agency. A liver to match his could be available in time, especially if you stay on top of the situation.

[Heather]

Thank you very much for your ideas I will definitely take them into consideration. You both are very wise. Thank you!

 

Heather

Get some ideas from the blood bank. You may be able to pledge blood in the future for others who can give blook to your uncle now. O+ blood type is very common. A call for donations of blood will bring in many unless you live in a very tiny town. I promise you, if this blood can save his life, it is quite readily available, even if it has to be brought from another town.

 

You can help your uncle a lot by not feeling guilty about being pregnant and about everything else that you have no control over. You may also want to be an advocate for him with an organ donor agency. A liver to match his could be available in time, especially if you stay on top of the situation.