Even the idea of tissue/organ transplants leaves me cold and ... Sorry, but I doubt I could ever bring myself ever agree to such a procedure, either as recipient or donor (but particularly as recipient). And I do hope life continues to spare me the necessity of ever having to make that decision (beyond simply not signing the donor card on my drivers license, that is).

A few weeks ago an acquaintance committed suicide. In his mid-40's, this person had been a heavy smoker, alcoholic and drug abuser all his adult life. For the last couple years right up to his death, he'd been smoking 2 packs of cigarettes and drinking at least a case of beer a day, as well as abusing Percodans and other prescription/illegal drugs. It was so bad near the end that he'd driven most of his friends away. Including me. :-(

Anyway, the doctors kept him alive long enough to get his wife's permission to remove his organs. And within 24 hours of his death, some poor soul had that heart installed in their chest. Can't give you the complete list of organs that were relocated, but I will say that at the funeral (open casket) his trunk looked like a deflated balloon.

And I just couldn't believe it. Who in their right mind would install a heavy smoker/drinker/drug abuser's heart/organs into somebody else?? Are medical professionals, in general, so terrified by even the thought of death they'll do ANYTHING to put it off, even just for a few weeks? No wonder people are stealing organs for resale!

I'd rather suffer my own physical ailments and take my chances, myself. Even if that meant I'd be six feet under in a hurry. But hey, to each their own.