MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS AN ORGAN DONOR AND SAVED MANY LIVES AFTER HER DEATH
Mother had registered, prior to her death, to be an organ and tissue donor. In the days prior to her death, we were comforted in knowing exactly what she would have wanted.
My mother-in-law, Nolen Dollene Myles, was a petite and pretty lady, who was called, “Doll” by her close friends. Her doll-like stature was magnified when she stood next to her husband, Ronald Myles, who stands 6-feet, 4inches tall.
My wife and I, as well as Dollene’s grandchildren, affectionately called her “Mother.” She was no-nonsense, but very loving and selfless, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a lifelong educator.
Retired in 2000 as the principal of Morny Elementary School in Joelton, Tennessee, she was active in her bridge clubs — Mississippi Mud and Queen of Hearts — for over 40 years. Vibrant and healthy, Mother walked three miles every single day, rain or shine.
It came as a terrible shock on April 15, 2015, when Mother was rushed to the hospital during one of her morning walks, unknowing at the time that it was a ruptured brain aneurysm.
I had talked to her on the phone just that morning. When the hospital called us — initially thinking she’d suffered a stroke — my wife Ericka rushed to her mother’s side at Baptist Hospital in Nashville (now St. Thomas Midtown).
I rushed to Vanderbilt Hospital to be with my father-in-law, who was recovering from back surgery, and I was able to get special accommodations for him, so he also could be with his wife.
This is exactly what Mother wanted
On April 18, two days after the brain aneurysm and the day of her youngest granddaughter’s First Communion, which happened to be Easter weekend (a celebratory time for newness and rebirth), Mother had passed. She was 71 years old.
It was the worst day of our lives; however, it would be the best day, a true blessing for the three people whose lives were saved by Mother’s donated liver and kidneys.
Her corneas restored another person’s vision, and her donated tissue healed many other people’s wounds. Mother was their angel, their saving grace like she had always been for us — and now was for others, having already registered to be an organ donor.
When someone you love dies unexpectedly, it is incredibly stressful and disorienting. Making important decisions in that state of mind, when nothing feels right or clear, is unimaginable.
The fear of wondering “did I do the right thing?” can be overwhelming. Our family was spared those emotions, because Mother had registered, prior to her death, to be an organ and tissue donor. In the days prior to her death, we were comforted in knowing exactly what she would have wanted.
It was just like her: if anything were ever to happen, Mother was sure things were taken care of, all i’s were dotted, and t’s were crossed. She was always organized and prepared.
How to register to become an organ donor
The Family Care Coordinator from Tennessee Donor Services supported us the entire way. She was compassionate and patient as she explained the process and answered our questions.
Ericka was able to stay with Mother until they wheeled her into the operating room to recover her organs. Knowing how relieved and grateful the recipients and their families were to have another
chance at life helped to ease our family’s grief.
Honestly, I hadn’t thought about organ donation before Mother died. I did not know how rare it is for someone to meet the qualifications to be an organ donor after death.
This is one of the main reasons it is so important that people register to be organ donors. We all have the potential to save someone’s life through organ donation.
If you have questions or concerns about becoming an organ donor, contact Tennessee Donor Services at 888234-4440 or tds.info@dcids.org and they will answer any questions you have and share valuable information.
The Thanksgiving holiday is in just a few days and starts the season of giving. What a perfect time to choose the gift of life by registering to become an organ and tissue donor.
It is now very easy and convenient to register online at Bethegifttoday.com. Also, if you haven’t already, please talk to your family this holiday season and make sure they know your decision to be a donor. Together, we can make miracles possible. We can be the gift for one another.