JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE Volume 18, Number 4, 2015 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2014.0339
The Legacy of Anatomical Donation Barbara M. Raudonis, PhD, RN, FNGNA, FPCN
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. —Albert Schweitzer, MD
T
he need for and the process of organ donation is well known and is considered an altruistic action by health care providers, patients, and their families. There is less awareness or attention given to an anatomical donation of one’s whole body to medical science. Palliative care providers in all settings need to be aware of this opportunity to advance medical science, education, and potentially improve the health of future generations. The purpose of this personal reflection is to share one family’s experience and the legacy of the anatomical gifts of both parents. My parents both decided to donate their bodies to science when they were in their 60s and lived on the East Coast. Fast forward through life’s changes and opportunities that resulted in my parents’ relocation to one of the Western states. Always a detail oriented and organized individual, once settled in their new state, Mom contacted the state medical school and signed Dad and herself up as whole body anatomical donors. She made sure that all four children knew of their intentions and where the documentation for their anatomical donations was located. As Dad’s health declined due to Parkinson’s and cardiac disease, Mom reminded us all of Dad’s intent to donate his body and hoped that his act would help find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Home-based hospice services helped Mom care for Dad and he died peacefully at home as he wished. When we explained to the hospice nurse that Dad was an anatomical donor, she shared that although she was aware of such programs, she had never assisted with the process. There was no problem because the documents from the Anatomy Board of the state clearly listed the steps to be followed. All went smoothly except the delay in coming to pick up Dad’s body. It is important to note that once the body leaves the home or other setting (depending on where the person died), family will not be able to view the body again. For our family, the delay was actually very beneficial. It was like having a wake at home. We all were able to spend time with Dad. I recall touching him and feeling the advancing coolness of his extremities, but smiled when I felt the warmth of the back of his head while it rested on the pillow. When the attendants arrived, they were very respectful and moved Dad’s body to the narrow stretcher and tucked him in with a blanket. As they approached the door, they stopped for us to say our final
goodbyes and asked my Mom to place the blanket over Dad’s face, but that was too hard for Mom. She could not do that.so I did.my last gesture of love to my Dad. Although there are many details to contend with after a death, there was a certain peace experienced by our family. We did not have to rush around to the funeral home, choose caskets, etc. We were together and were able to receive visitors and make the numerous long distance telephone calls to share the news with friends. Dad did not want any memorial service. Six months later Mom participated in a bereavement service offered by the hospice that cared for Dad. The service brought Mom a more formal closure. Over the next several years Mom periodically reminded the family that she’d donated her body to science and she, like Dad, did not want any funeral service. Mom died seven years after Dad. She ‘‘suddenly’’ developed pneumonia, severe weakness, and acute jaundice. Although no physical evidence was found, her physicians suspected biliary cancer. Mom was very clear on what diagnostic tests and treatments she would accept. Surgery and chemotherapy were out of the question. Although she was responding to the antibiotics for the pneumonia, her kidneys began to shut down. She died in the hospital five days later. Her last wishes were followed and her body was donated to the Anatomy Board of the state. About a year later I received an invitation to attend a memorial service for all of the donors of anatomical gifts. My work schedule allowed me to make the 13-hour drive to the service. A friend accompanied me, because my siblings live throughout the country and could not make the trip. In the RSVP I listed my desire to speak on behalf of our family and the gifts of both of my parents. When we arrived for the ceremony I had no idea what to expect. But the auditorium was packed with family members of the donors, faculty, and students. There were medical, dental, physical therapy, and physician assistant students. Family members were given a framed copy of the quote by Albert Schweitzer that I used to begin this reflection, a Gerber daisy, and a program. All the students from the first-year class of the four professions signed the program. The health science campus choral group set the reflective tone of the service followed by tributes by representatives of each class and reflections by representatives of the families.
College of Nursing, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas.
391
392
I represented our family and was nervous but so proud to share memories of my parents and give voice to why they chose to make their anatomical donations. The common theme expressed by the bereaved families was their pride in honoring their deceased loved one’s last wishes to help future patients, potentially find cures to the respective diseases, and to contribute to the education of the next generation of health professionals. As heartfelt as these stories were, it was the students’ remarks that moved me to tears. The students were so respectful, actually reverent while sharing thoughts and experiences from their anatomy classes. Smiles, laughter, and tears were threaded throughout their stories. The students were profoundly moved by the generosity of the donors. These students, their future careers in health care, were the legacy of all the anatomical donations. I was so grateful that I made the journey to attend the memorial service and for the peace I experienced. A final note: Generally a year after the donation, bereaved families can choose to have the remains returned to them or be interred in one of the city’s cemeteries. Both of my parents
PERSONAL REFLECTION
chose to be interred at the cemetery. Mom wanted to be ‘‘with Dad.’’ The gravesite is marked with a simple but elegant headstone that bears the following inscription.
In Gratitude They Advanced Medicine and All Have Benefitted By What They Gave
Address correspondence to: Barbara M. Raudonis, PhD, RN, FNGNA, FPCN University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing 411 S. Nedderman Drive Box 19407 Arlington, TX 76016-0407 E-mail: [email protected]
Copyright of Journal of Palliative Medicine is the property of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
The Legacy of Anatomical Donation Barbara M. Raudonis, PhD, RN, FNGNA, FPCN
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. —Albert Schweitzer, MD
T
he need for and the process of organ donation is well known and is considered an altruistic action by health care providers, patients, and their families. There is less awareness or attention given to an anatomical donation of one’s whole body to medical science. Palliative care providers in all settings need to be aware of this opportunity to advance medical science, education, and potentially improve the health of future generations. The purpose of this personal reflection is to share one family’s experience and the legacy of the anatomical gifts of both parents. My parents both decided to donate their bodies to science when they were in their 60s and lived on the East Coast. Fast forward through life’s changes and opportunities that resulted in my parents’ relocation to one of the Western states. Always a detail oriented and organized individual, once settled in their new state, Mom contacted the state medical school and signed Dad and herself up as whole body anatomical donors. She made sure that all four children knew of their intentions and where the documentation for their anatomical donations was located. As Dad’s health declined due to Parkinson’s and cardiac disease, Mom reminded us all of Dad’s intent to donate his body and hoped that his act would help find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Home-based hospice services helped Mom care for Dad and he died peacefully at home as he wished. When we explained to the hospice nurse that Dad was an anatomical donor, she shared that although she was aware of such programs, she had never assisted with the process. There was no problem because the documents from the Anatomy Board of the state clearly listed the steps to be followed. All went smoothly except the delay in coming to pick up Dad’s body. It is important to note that once the body leaves the home or other setting (depending on where the person died), family will not be able to view the body again. For our family, the delay was actually very beneficial. It was like having a wake at home. We all were able to spend time with Dad. I recall touching him and feeling the advancing coolness of his extremities, but smiled when I felt the warmth of the back of his head while it rested on the pillow. When the attendants arrived, they were very respectful and moved Dad’s body to the narrow stretcher and tucked him in with a blanket. As they approached the door, they stopped for us to say our final
goodbyes and asked my Mom to place the blanket over Dad’s face, but that was too hard for Mom. She could not do that.so I did.my last gesture of love to my Dad. Although there are many details to contend with after a death, there was a certain peace experienced by our family. We did not have to rush around to the funeral home, choose caskets, etc. We were together and were able to receive visitors and make the numerous long distance telephone calls to share the news with friends. Dad did not want any memorial service. Six months later Mom participated in a bereavement service offered by the hospice that cared for Dad. The service brought Mom a more formal closure. Over the next several years Mom periodically reminded the family that she’d donated her body to science and she, like Dad, did not want any funeral service. Mom died seven years after Dad. She ‘‘suddenly’’ developed pneumonia, severe weakness, and acute jaundice. Although no physical evidence was found, her physicians suspected biliary cancer. Mom was very clear on what diagnostic tests and treatments she would accept. Surgery and chemotherapy were out of the question. Although she was responding to the antibiotics for the pneumonia, her kidneys began to shut down. She died in the hospital five days later. Her last wishes were followed and her body was donated to the Anatomy Board of the state. About a year later I received an invitation to attend a memorial service for all of the donors of anatomical gifts. My work schedule allowed me to make the 13-hour drive to the service. A friend accompanied me, because my siblings live throughout the country and could not make the trip. In the RSVP I listed my desire to speak on behalf of our family and the gifts of both of my parents. When we arrived for the ceremony I had no idea what to expect. But the auditorium was packed with family members of the donors, faculty, and students. There were medical, dental, physical therapy, and physician assistant students. Family members were given a framed copy of the quote by Albert Schweitzer that I used to begin this reflection, a Gerber daisy, and a program. All the students from the first-year class of the four professions signed the program. The health science campus choral group set the reflective tone of the service followed by tributes by representatives of each class and reflections by representatives of the families.
College of Nursing, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas.
391
392
I represented our family and was nervous but so proud to share memories of my parents and give voice to why they chose to make their anatomical donations. The common theme expressed by the bereaved families was their pride in honoring their deceased loved one’s last wishes to help future patients, potentially find cures to the respective diseases, and to contribute to the education of the next generation of health professionals. As heartfelt as these stories were, it was the students’ remarks that moved me to tears. The students were so respectful, actually reverent while sharing thoughts and experiences from their anatomy classes. Smiles, laughter, and tears were threaded throughout their stories. The students were profoundly moved by the generosity of the donors. These students, their future careers in health care, were the legacy of all the anatomical donations. I was so grateful that I made the journey to attend the memorial service and for the peace I experienced. A final note: Generally a year after the donation, bereaved families can choose to have the remains returned to them or be interred in one of the city’s cemeteries. Both of my parents
PERSONAL REFLECTION
chose to be interred at the cemetery. Mom wanted to be ‘‘with Dad.’’ The gravesite is marked with a simple but elegant headstone that bears the following inscription.
In Gratitude They Advanced Medicine and All Have Benefitted By What They Gave
Address correspondence to: Barbara M. Raudonis, PhD, RN, FNGNA, FPCN University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing 411 S. Nedderman Drive Box 19407 Arlington, TX 76016-0407 E-mail: [email protected]
Copyright of Journal of Palliative Medicine is the property of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
