Discussing organ donation can seem like a difficult conversation to have but for one man from Carlisle it made all the difference when his wife died.

Lynn Smith was a mental health nurse in the NHS for 35 years. In 2017 she sadly died following a catastrophic stroke. When her husband Simon was asked about organ donation, he already knew the answer. They had spoken about donation some years previously, which meant Simon was certain of Lynn’s decision.

Simon and Lynn Smith.PNGSimon kindly spoke to us to share his and Lynn’s story. Simon said:

“We both agreed that if the circumstances arose, organ donation would be the next step. I remember Lynn told me that she thought the one of us who survived would find it of help. At the time I hadn’t appreciated what that meant but I now realise that organ donation provides a structure which allows a more time to be with your partner at the end. There’s also a sense of purpose. Lynn sadly no longer had need of her organs but she was able to donate her organs to help others in real need. And I was not having to agree that life support should be turned off.

“During that time, 36 hours or more, you are with your partner and you see what is going on. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and specialist organ donation nurses provided the most compassionate care imaginable, looking after Lynn and me. I had time to be with Lynn and say my goodbyes and the whole process helped me come to terms with the fact that Lynn had died, including observing the brain stem tests, conducted with such care and dignity by the consultant anaesthetist, with the medical team in attendance.

“One of the specialist nurses who was working really long shift was clearly very busy organising potential recipients. But she found time to find out about Lynn and me, where we met and when we got married. She took our hand prints, adding our wedding date and the current date. And she plaited a lock of Lynn’s hair, giving it me for a keepsake.

“A couple of weeks later I received a letter from the organ donation team to say that Lynn had supported 4 people – 2 kidneys, a liver and lungs. After a year I received letters from 2 of the recipients.

“A woman in her 40s received a kidney and was able to be the mother to her daughter who was 11 at the time and wife to her husband and was back to full health, riding her horse and competing in eventing again.

“The second was a young woman who received Lynn’s liver. She was only 17 at the time and suffered acute liver failure. She too is now back to enjoying all the things she used to enjoy.”

JackiNewby.jpgJacqueline Newby Specialist Organ Donation Nurse, NCIC said: “Lynn worked as a nurse for 35 years so it’s such a fitting legacy that she is also caring for others even after her death. She’s putting in a double shift.

”One of the biggest reasons that families say no to organ donation is because they say it takes too long but I’ve found in my experience with families who have gone through organ donation that they have really appreciated the extra time with their loved ones. We certainly know that Simon did.”

Simon added: “It was very helpful to go through organ donation and to have all the extra time after Lynn’s death to say my goodbyes and be with her. I was extremely touched with the care that was given to both of us. Having had the conversation about organ donation with Lynn some years before, it made it a very easy decision and I was certain of Lynn’s wishes.”

One person donating after their death can provide life-saving transplants for up to 9 recipients; restore eyesight for up to 4 people; and prevent another 6 people from going blind. They can also transform lives of a further 40 people through transplanting heart valves, tendon, ligaments, bone or blood vessels and in many cases lives are saved after severe burns by having donated skin grafts. Donation after death is an incredible gift.

This week – organ donation week we urge everyone to please have the conversation, you can make huge difference if you leave them certain.

Register your decision on the Organ Donation Register:

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