Tricia O'Connell's anguish at delay finding donor for her sick husband Shane
Shane and Tricia
A mum of three whose husband has been waiting for a heart transplant for 20 months has made a desperate appeal for organ donors.
Tricia O’Connell’s husband, Shane, 33, has been forced to live in the Mater Hospital in Dublin since being registered on a replacement list in February last year.
His debilitating Dilated Cardio Myopathy has left him dependant on 35 tablets every day, while an IV Milrinone Infusion pumps drugs though his veins 24 hours a day to keep him alive.
He has been living away from his loving wife and three children; Shauna, 13, Cadhla, aged four and one-year-old Michael.
A devastated Ms O’Connell, who remains at the family home in Castleisland, Co Kerry, revealed the couple are living in a constant state of uncertainty.
She said: “Waiting and hoping for someone to donate is very difficult and is like living in limbo.
“Many patients on the waiting list for a transplant have no quality of life. It cannot be termed a ‘life’ while waiting for a transplant, it is merely an ‘existence’.
“Shane is not bad at the minute but it’s difficult to remain in high spirits when you’re living in a hospital.
“He’s trying to remain upbeat so he can be stable while he awaits a transplant.
“All these treatments are great but if he’s not stable there’s nothing doctors can do.
“He misses our children and looks forward greatly to seeing them at weekends when we travel to Dublin.
“It’s very challenging for us as a family. We have three young small kids and it’s such a long drive from Castleisland all the way up.”
Ms O’Connell also spoke of the importance of families ensuring their loved ones’ organs go to a good cause.
She added: “Organ donation is such a selfless thing for a grieving family to consider but it gives someone else their life back whereas otherwise they would just be existing until their time runs out.
“Its legacy is that it can save the lives of so many people who along with their families will be forever grateful. It truly is a wonderful gift, the gift of life.
“I understand how difficult it is for families to be asked to give up the organs of a loved one.
“I’ve heard people who have agreed to donate a family member’s organs saying it feels great that even after death, they can still help save lives.
“It has been estimated that one person donating their organs can save the lives of five people.
“I hope that European Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation will help the general public become more aware of organ failure and the huge difference that a transplant can make to so many people.”
European Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation will be celebrated throughout Europe on Saturday, October 12.
For more information visit www.edqm.eu/en/European-day-for-organ-donation .
“You Have the Power to Donate Life – Sign-up today! Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
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