I'd do it for my brother.

Hey your brother died to give you life. Live it to the fullest and do not sit and mourn forever but hold his memory up to see. He did not give you this gift to ruin your life or spoil your dreams. Focus, move forward and always remember him. Sometimes we spend so much time looking back at the past that we trip over our future.

AKRandy and bklynj, you can't tell him these things now. Keep your cheerleading to yourself. Yeah, it may be in the right spirit, but more likely than not these sorts of posts will mean nothing to him, and if anything aggravate the situation. Nothing against your thoughts, but it's not the time. Just stand silently with Chad.

ejwilson7, good advice, and may I add the biblical quote No greater love hath a man than to lay down his life for his brother ? [paraphrased of course]

What true brother, wouldn't take this risk?

Nothing greater than the gift of life.

This is one of the saddest articles, ever told here.

A brother who sacrificed his own life (not knowing what the future would hold for him); and let his brother live.

There are great families, who in health crises would give their own lives to save another.

Chad must live his life out for the sake of his brother; for he was given the greatest gift ever. Ryan is a HERO.

May Ryan rest in peace, and know that he "Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice". What a true and loyal human being. This is what's called Family.

In 1997, The big "O", Oscar Robertson gave a kidney to his daughter. I thought to myself, in one decision he accomplished more in life than he ever did on a BB court. I agree wholeheartedly. No greater gift than the gift of life. No greater love than the gift of life. He, in body, may be gone, but he will be with forever.

ejwilson7:

There's always someone on this board that "kills" the good thoughts and well wishes of enthusiasm for a remaining sibling. In this case Chad.

The 2 posters meant well; are compassionate and believe in the "living".

For some other reason, this terrible event happened. No one knows why. That is the mystery of Life.

Dale3242 My heart goes out to this family. As coming from a Donor's aspect. You will do whatever it takes to make your loved ones better. I donated my kidney to my husband. No one forced me to. We were well informed. We were told that this was a treatment not a cure. That doesnt matter. That last 3 years I have had the person I married back. I would do it all over again if it were only for that amount of time. My husband has been able to enjoy our son and our son his father. Transplant are a wonderful thing. As anything there can be tragedy that comes from it. I pray that Chad can find peace and know that his brother did it because he loved him and won't take no for an answer. I wouldn't....

Listen to your heart, its probably Ryan.

Chad, if you're reading this: Take good care of Ryan. He's part of you now. And let go of your guilt- if it was known up front he would pass, no one would have allowed the procedure.

And send God your endless gratitude. This (ironically) is a beautiful story in so many ways. In time you will see.

And Ryan- you're a good man and you are in Heaven with God. You're probably doing something fun-crazy-exciting right now :)

Do any of you who are praising Ryan realize he left a wife and young sons behind? While I appreciate his attempt to help his brother (and fyi: I'm a living donor too), his responsibility should've been to raising the kids he brought into the world.

The surgical complication rate for liver donors is nearly 40%; the surgeons in Ryan's case were perfectly aware something could go wrong, even his death. They did the procedure anyway, because living donors are not as imporant as recipients in their eyes.

The world is filled with freaky stories of life and death, I hope you come to terms with yours and live well otherwise it was all a waste.

Also consider this. You are going to die, your brother was going to die. You will both meet again and your stories will stretch out until this is but a tiny speck.

I agree. Much of this conversation has gotten off point. Nonethless, brother needs to get over it,move on and do something important rather than p@#s and moan. I await a transplant, but if given that--I sure wouldn't the hell waste my time with all this self pitying, self-aggrandizing malarkey. Write a journal, if one must, but at some point get over the whining. Publicizing the pitfals of organ donations does nothing but usuage his own guilt and cautions others about the procedure. Try this, guy!! Get a job, go to school, try to make a real contribution or donation!! Do you really expect us all to keep feeling sorry for you when you've been given so much?

WOW! Great brother to have, and please don't waste it on sorrow. He gave you the gift of life, so use it to live life to the fullest, help others and try to promote organ transplants from those that have died.

Too many people die that have good organs that could be used to save other people's lives.

God Bless your brother and you for carrying his torch of life within you.

Wow is really all I can say too. I don't want to tell this man how to live, think or feel. I just want to acknowledge that his life has extraordinary circumstances.

Echo1226
I totally agree.
Would just like to wish him continued good health and happiness.

It will be hard for Chad to not feel guilt about his brother dying, because of the organ transplant given to him. An obstacle for the living brother to deal with..

He will need plenty of counseling, and family support. I just hope Chad does not give up, and weaken his own immune system, so the transplant takes..

Giving a connected family member an organ; no one ever thinks this might happen. It is a major sacrifice of love. It would be preferable to get a replaced organ, donated by someone else outside the family.

This is just about impossible. Only the very wealthy can search the world trying to get a match for an organ transplant.

:,(...

Holy crap this story is sad... Im going to give my brother a call. I love my family.

I completely understand your point of view but you might feel differently if it was someone that you loved that was facing this situation. Very difficult to judge what's "right" and what's "wrong".

Amen. You don't know what you would do unless you were that person.

This is such a sad story. It is impossible to know how Chad feels, seeing his brother die this way in giving him a second chance at life. Hopefully he will be able to accept what has happened and go on with his life. The best tribute he could make to his brother is to lead a good life and be the best person he can be. I can completely understand Ryan wanting to do whatever he could to help his brother. As hard as it must be to go on after this tragedy, the worst thing Chad could do would be to retreat into himself and not make the most of the gift he has been given.

Dale3242 can you be more empathetic. It is enough that his brother gave a portion of his liver without questioning the dangers, but did it out of love. I don't think his brother who is now dealing with the loss of his brother Ryan needs those insensitive words you are spilling out of your keyboard.

Dale3242

You have written an interesting factoid: However, you have just 'crapped' all over this beautiful story of love and sacrifice! Save your informative stuff for another time and venue: this is a heartbreaking story of one brothers' love and gift to another with tragic results. It should not be commented on like what you said here and now. My heart goes out to Chad and all of his and Ryan's families'. God bless the gift and I pray that you overcome the guilt feelings and live life as Ryan wanted you to.

Dale, are you a doctor? Because unless you are, maybe you shouldn't be speaking to what is good medicine and what is not, especially without knowing the details of someone's medical history. Transplants often work well; I know people who have had them and who now live full, healthy lives. I agree with the posters who have said that right now this family needs empathy and compassion, not your opinions on medical care.

I hope and pray that you and no one in your family will ever need a transplant. I have received lungs when my children were young and I am still alive after 12 years. This is a sad tragic story and yet his younger brother new the risks involved because we are all told and yet he went forward because he LOVED his brother more than life itself.

Dale 3242, you need a heart transplant.

Dale 3242...Much of life is balanced between what is right in our head (your post) and what is right by our heart (this heart rendering story).

I lost my companion, significant other, partner, best, etc. to type one diabetes. If there was any possibility I could have donated part of my pancreas, I would have in a heart best (even if it meant putting my life in jeopardy).

Love knows no bounds....and this was an act of love.

Dale.... It is obvious you don't have a clue. Yes some of the points you bring up are valid, but.... For the most part transplantation is a wonderful thing. Everybody is entitled to their opinion.I myself am all for them most transplants have a wonderful outcome. There are risk involved in everything and anything in life. Being a transplant recipient myself, and have endured all the extra medical expenses and the cancer I would do it again. I think the good of it all out weighs the negative. I support organ donation. And as for donors, living donors the risk is low. There is always one somewhere where the ending is not a good one.But look at all the success from transplantation as a whole. IT works. The numbers prove it!!!

Dale, I believe your comment was more about medical facts than the family the story is about, I did not assume you had no compassion as everyone is assuming. If what you say is true, there is pause for far more knowledge than assuming this is a procedure that should be followed. And as for the long term situation and drugs that are necessary - way more thought.

There is a side of medicine you hear little about. And that is the failures. I plan to research more about it. I'd prefer to be more informed.

I've not heard skin grafts don't work well though. I believe those donor situations are not rejected. I don't know though.

Definitely worth finding out more about.

Discussion of medical facts here -->> not the amazing love this family has for each other. I have heard that the anti rejection drugs can cost into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, which, unless you have insurance... And really, what is the cost of that, even if you do. When money is pooled into programs, and one individual takes out a majority, how long or well can that program work.

The one fact everyone likes to overlook is that we all ARE going to die. We are ALL going to loose the people we love. Regardless of transplant or not. That said, we must make a decision everyday to treat one another like it was the last time we'd see them.

Heart transplant, my ass! One has to possess a heart before one can recieve a transplant when it goes bad.

Good point, Metal Guitarist!

So you are telling me if your child was dying from liver disease and you had a chance to give part of your liver to save your loved one you would let them die. If so I pray to God you never have children or a loved one. you are cruel and you never know what you will do until you walk in that persons shoes. Shame on you. You made me sick to my stomach knowing that you could even write something like this when a person is going through so much termoil in his life. Glad I don't know you.........

I read this story with interest because I developed PSC at age 31 and received a cadaveric liver transplant at age 45. Almost 5years later I have not developed PSC again, remain incredibly healthy, work full time (as a registered nurse), and was able to watch both my children graduate high school in 2009 and 2010. Your comments might lead people to believe that transplant is not a valid option for treatment but I am living proof that the kindness of a family I have never met allowed me to continue raising my family, enjoying life with my husband and to be a productive member of my community. This is a very sad story but do not diminish the value of transplantation to those of us with end stage organ failure.

Your comments regarding organ transplants are not accurate. I had a living donor liver transplant 11 years ago due to stage 4 cancer - thankfully my doctors thought outside the box and I was accepted at U MD medical center for my transplant. My brother who was my donor gave me the gift of life. I was able to see my two kids (who had already lost their dad) graduate from high school, college and now enjoy their adult lives. Any surgery there is risk. Bill and I were both asked how we would feel if the other one died when we went through the psychological tests. There are 'transplant olympics' ; organ transplants can and do provide the gift of life - and for those who receive them, we are eternally grateful! Kathy Z, Hagerstown, MD

God bless you, Transplant Survivor, and the family of your donor. Continue to live your life in a manner that shows that family made the right choice. You are a wonderful testament to what love and compassion can overcome.

You are an idiot!!

Dale3242 If you have not walked in these shoes then you should be very careful with your opinion. Yes you fact are correct transplantation is not always a cure but it has allows many grateful and blessed people to survive. I was diagnose with Hep C in 1979 and in 1996 received a liver transplant in April 27, 2009 I received another but these two transplants have allowed me to live get married and have two miracle children that I was told I would never have. So many they have not cured me but I am still alive and thanking God everyday for my blessing and for the strength of my Donors Families.

Why in the world would you post such a negative response to an already hard situation for this gentleman. His brother gave the ultimate sacrifice and for you to give the statistics on what may or may not happen is irresponsible. You should offer prayers and encouraging words to this man and his family to endure the loss of a sibling and a son. Not berate them with medical knowledge that they could easily find on the Internet if they choose to look it up. This world needs need more people that will help stand by you and support you. I pray that you will find someone that will offer kindness and love and maybe you will then find the importance to offer that back to someone else.

I also pray that Chad will once again be able to enjoy life and not live in a state of sadness. By the things he has shared in his story I know that Ryan would not want him to be sad. He gave his liver so that Chad could live life to the fullest and in due time I pray that he will be able to do that, if not for himself then for the memory of Ryan.

Dale...TMI and not enough empathy. I hope you aren't a doctor. Your bedside manner would suck.

Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Did you know this man or his family? What if this were one of your children? Would it be too expensive to save them or would it strap your all mighty pocketbook too much? SHUT UP

Not one post has contradicted what I wrote. Transplants do indeed dramatically improve the lives of many recipients. However, "shishi123" is a perfect example though of my point. Shishi is now on his/her 2nd liver. The first transplant was not a "cure". A cure would be an organ which lasts for the rest of a person's life. The advocates of organ transplantation imply that transplants are a cure. That is a lie; they are not. I am not against cadaver transplants. Once a person is dead, they are dead. The removal of usable organs from a dead person does the deceased no harm. I am against doctors who have sworn an oath to care for their patients, doing harm to a living person. It is a slippery slope between brotherly love and forcing a person to risk their life. As to my needing a heart, thankfully my heart is well and I am quit old and retired.

quite old and retarded

It's not your information I question it's you insensitivity. I also don't question your need for a heart transplant but you definitely are a candidate for a brain transplant.

My sister gave my other sister a kidney.. it gave my sister 30 years of life.. we miss her, but we are all grateful (five of us) that she was given the 30 added years. We all offered to give a kidney the sister that matched almost as good as an identical twin was chosen. We are grateful to my sister that gave her kidney. Yes it is all a game of chance. I am sorry Ryan left this realm under such a circumstance. But I feel he is watching over Chad, and hoping Chad is watching over his children. We must accept things as they are, there is no return.. we can only go forward. Take care Chad.

Dale, don't be such a jerk. I am a living donor and I would suggest that you talk to a living donor before you continue with this negative attitude. I am glad that you have been blessed to enjoy your life for so many years but so many people are not so lucky. Could you look a person in need of a transplant in the eye and say ...I am healthy, you are not and you are not worth the risk. ????? Really? Everyone is worth the risk, you are just not wise enough to see that. What a shame, your knowledge that you share, it is not making anyone wiser and no one is buying it.

Dale3242 - you missed the point man. This man loved his brother enough risk his life to try to help save his brother's life. The whole point is his love for his brother was greater than his own life. Blessed is a man who will lay down his life for another. Whether "Shishi" had the two transplants or one - you missed it again - she knows it is not a cure, but she gained the gift of precious time - she has been able to enjoy the love that comes with her marriage and the birth of her children.Many, many would love the chance to have a second chance - even if for just a few years of happiness - sometimes that second chance can feel like a lifetime of happiness. If you ever need a transplant, feel free to say no.

Dearest Dale

I too understand your point.

I had a cornea transplant last year for an illness that will most likely grow back on the new cornea if I live to be old enough.

My donor was of course deceased but I bless the family every day for the gift of sight in one eye.

My dearest granddaughter was extremely ill at 4 years old and we watched and prayed, not knowing what was happening, if she would live. And there was a lot of doubt. She recovered but I would have gladly without a second thought gave her my life if it would have helped. To love so completely, you do what you can do.

We have the right to choose and we make small and big choices daily but if the possibility exists to save our loved one, we get to choose.

Ryan was a Doctor, he knew.

I am an advocate of organ transplants of both kinds and I know we must be truly informed before such choices. And yes some fail and some die. But then there was the 21 year old young man engaged to my daughters friend, who died here recently because while having surgery for a broken ankle from a car accident, he died. It happens.

We make choices, loving choices, giving choices. And I so much thank Chad for sharing the story of love tonight.

And dearest Dale, I too am old and retired, and I learned this many times over. I don't know a thing until I have walked in the shoes of that person.

Peace be with you Chad and Dale.....maybe the world needs to talk more and listen even more.

You are heard Dale....but I would give my liver tomorrow for any of my kids, the whole thing if needed.

Dale you're full of crap! Advocates of transplantation DO NOT imply any such thing. The educational programs of advocacy groups, transplant information packets from hospitals, etc., make it clear that 1) the ultimate success of any transplant is dependent on individual circumstances, 2) replacing an organ does not ameliorate underlying causes IF they exist [and often they do not], and 3) no transplant is without risks to both the recipient and the donor if living. What they DO $TATE is that transplantation $AVE$ LIVE$! Who are you to determine that there is a finite value on the added time together it gives recipients and their loved ones? $top inferring things and then passing them off as facts. And PLEA$E, if your post reflects your valuation of human life, don't EVER go into health care, have kids, or anything else that will make you responsible for others. A human being DOE$ NOT have a price tag!!!!

Dale, if people were forcing live people to donate organs, you would have a point. This man willingly made this choice out of a deep love for his brother. He was not forced to do so.

I see you are one of those slippery slope fear mongers. Figures.

To Dale3242:

Transplant is never about cure; it does prolong life with an acceptable quality of life for most transplant recipients. It is tragic the donor died, but that only means that we should redouble our efforts to diagnose and intervene in most illnesses earlier than what is customary now, and to fund research into those illnesses for which there is no meaningful interventions presently. To deny all sufferers the opportunity of an organ transplant just because of one tragic incident is to shut the door on thousands hoping for a better life. Please get educated about transplantation before making sweeping statements.

Your information is not accurate. For one, transplantation is indeed a cure for many donors who are faced with transplantation as their option to survival. For patients who have lost their organs due to cirrhosis, or tumors, the new organ is not at risk to the same outcome as long as they continue to live a healthy lifestyle. Recipients undergo many tests to insure that they will be healthy enough to not only survive the surgery, but to also make sure they will live normal lives after the surgery. While there are some recipients who indeed do have a risk of redeveloping their original sickness post transplant, this is not the case for everyone, and even in those patients, the percentages are usually under 50% for most cases and it takes up to 10 years for them to be back in a similar situation. The real question we should be asking is why do we have to depend on living donors when so many people die each day? Why can't we bring awareness to organ donation and increase our databases worldwide so we don't have to have the healthy risking their lives to save their loved ones. Sign your donor cards. Make organ donation mandatory and force people to opt out if they are against it.

Dale, You are a dik. That is pretty much the only way I can sum it up.

Dale, u just ruined this story. Nice job.

Dale you are an idiot. I got a kidney from my mother 25 years ago. I got to graduate from high school and then college. For the past 20 years i have been a nurse RN, BSN helping take care of others. I work hard and pay my taxes so others like me can have the quality of life they deserve. I can assure you that if I ever have the pleasure of taking care of you while you are ill...you will thank our God he saved me.

I personally don't think any doctor should ever operate on any living person for the purpose of removing an organ or part of an organ for transplant.

No problem. Let's put more funding into stem cell research and organ cloning so we can grow the organs we need. Then, no more transplants required. Everybody wins!

It is a slippery slope between brotherly love and forcing a person to risk their life.

Who forces a person to undergo a transplant? that's usually a voluntary thing.

A cure would be an organ which lasts for the rest of a person's life.

Some transplanted organs do last for the rest of a person's life. Some pneumatic cystic fibrosis patients have been "cured" by having a lung transplant.

Seriously?? Like the manin the story, I have a liver condition caused not by lifestyle, but by genetics. It runs in my family, both brothers and an uncle have it. It is called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. It will eventually progress to cirrhosis, but the time varies from person to person.

I have been lucky that so far, almost 10 years after being diagnosed, I have been stable. I know that if I was to get to the point of needing a transplant, I would run the risk of developing the condition again. However, it would be worth it to gain the time to see my nieces and nephews grow up, or even possibly have kids of my own some day.

My aunt recieved a kidney after years of damage from Polycystic Kidney Disease. She waited 3 years after having both removed and being on dialysis every other day to get hers. The day that she died from a massive hemmorhagic stroke, her kidney was still working perfectly. Can you honestly say that it wasn't worth the time she got? I know that we cherished every day we got to spend with her. And she was in a lot less pain than when she was on dialysis.

The only time I could honestly say a transplant is not waranted is when it is caused by someones lifestyle, and they are unwilling to change that lifestyle. That wastes a perfectly good organ that could go to someone who would treat their body right. This story sounds like one who did not ask or cuase this to happen, and is going to do things right so as not to lose it if possible.

Hopefull you never need a transplant.

No offense but I'm pretty sure Chad has heard all of this from his doctors. Can we just encourage him and give him hope? Do you knoe GOD? ALL things are possible with GOD and therefore we can't look at the downside.we have to stay encouraged and think and be positive. We can all help by keeping CHAD and his family in our prayers and asking GOD to continue to keep him.

I pray that GOD does the same for you. Be blessed.

Many other health problems have no cure, just treatment. Many require a daily medicine to maintain maximum health or even life. Why question transplants just because they are not a full cure and require antirejection drugs? If it allows someone more years of health, to see their children finish growing up, to return to a career, to enjoy life, isn't that what so many other medicines and treatments do, also?

I can see questioning living donor transplants because there is always at least a small risk in any surgery, but not the concept of restoring health through transplants. But the point of this story was how much one brother loved the other. And getting into a discussion on the pros and cons of transplants distracts from that point.

Dale,

You are correct that transplantation is not a cure, but an effective treatment for organ failure. Most chronic diseases cannot be "cured", they are treated. Cancer, diabetes and many other conditions cannot be stopped, but treatment affords the afflicted a better quality of life. I was diagnosed with kidney disease at a young age and have had three transplant in the span of 40 years, the first being from my father and the next two from cadavaric donors.

Your argument is interesting, in fact some doctors view living donation as a violation of the hippacratic oath to "do no harm." As a transplant recipient, I am always torn. I have had many offers from family and friends that would readily donate a kidney to me if I were in need of another. I have always refused these offers because of the risks that are inherently present. I learned recently that my current transplant is failing and I will be faced with needing dialysis once again in the near future. Once again many in my family have offered their assistance.

The social and psychological implications are very interesting and complex. I think that donors very often get a huge benefit in the form of the feeling of selflessness.In the case of family, they have acted to avoid the pain of losing a loved one. In my case, my wife has offered her kidney. I am torn about the offer because of course I would not want to risk her safety, but on the other hand she would not want me to suffer. There is also the factor of how invasive and disruptive dialysis is to bring able to live a "normal" life. So, things are not always black and white. Itend to think that this is a personal decision that doctors should honor. You might feel differently though if you were ever faced with either needing atransplant, or having a loved one requring a transplant.

Dale.....I AGREE WITH YOU, 100%.

There are hereditary factors that cause disease, also, and/or environment. Transplants really don't get to the bottom of a problem. BUT, allopathy medicine don't go after the ROOT of a problem.

I suggest people read "Eat right for (4) your Type" by Dr. Peter D'Adamo/CatherinWhitney. It talks of certain foods that are good and bad for each blood type for each major racial group...white/black/asian. Excellent read. Common sense.

Also, I read an article recently, and my acupuncturist agreed, 86% of all disease is caused by EMOTIONS. You CAN'T separate the MIND/BODY/SPIRIT.

I studied a little on the Chinese Five Element Theory, learned from the Ayervedic, East Indian Medical Theory. We are what we eat, think, feel, what we believe. A good book to help one understand the Chinese Five Element Theory is "A Web without a Weaver" by Ted Kaptchuk. Another good read on the subject is "Herbal Healing Secrets of the Orient by Darlena L'Orange.

So my type 1 diabetes has an 86% chance of being caused by an emotion? My stat professor was right, 92% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Stop spewing such BS.

"I am against doctors who have sworn an oath to care for their patients, doing harm to a living person. It is a slippery slope between brotherly love and forcing a person to risk their life."

Dale, Dale, Dale. I will not go so far as to say that you need a heart or brain transplant, though I must say that your lack of compassion leaves much to be desired. Instead I pose a question, when was the last time that you or one of your loved ones or friends were the recipient or donor of an organ of any kind?

There is no FORCE involved in organ transplant regardless of whether the donor is living or deceased. The organ donor program is completely voluntary. When living donors are involved the testing procedures often takes months to complete. Aside from the medical testing, there are psychological tests that are conducted on both the donor and the recipient. This is to insure that both are prepared for ALL possible outcomes of the procedures that they are to undergo. If either the donor or recipient is not psychologically prepared then the operation is NOT carried out until such time as both people are physically and mentally fit for the surgery.

“In the more than 4,100 living-donor liver transplants conducted in the United States since 1989, just three donors had died from complications related to the surgery, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, which manages the nation's organ transplant system. At the University of Colorado Hospital, 141 such transplants had been performed with no fatalities.”

I think this statement alone shows that this procedure is, to many, well worth the possible risks.

With that said, Ryan Arnold was a doctor I am sure that he went into this with his eyes wide open. Chad was diagnosed with PSC at 25 years of age and did not go into liver failure until he was 38. Considering how close-knit this family is, shown by the fact that even extended family members volunteered to be tested, I think it is safe to assume that the ENTIRE Arnold family did extensive research into this disease and all possible treatments, procedures, and outcomes. Now I can well imagine that the fact that since this was Ryan’s older brother played a huge role in his final decision. Though after reading this story and learning what kind of person Ryan was, I think that he would have made that same decision even if this had been a stranger and he found out that he was a match for them.

Dale3242,

I really don't think that is the place to be posting all the negatives about organ transplants, wheres your compassion or regard to how Chad would feel if/when he reads this, he's already having guilt issues, way to go Einstien!

Dale,

I'm guessing you are a sad lonely old man who had no one to love. Because if you did, you would understand the meaning of unconditional love!!

I feel bad for you.

You are free to your opinion, but mine differs greatly. As a relative of someone who has had 2 different transplants (1 from a donor and one from a cadaver) I can say that I am thankful everyday for the doctors, surgeons, science and brave and educated individuals that make transplants possible. My relative is healed - and will now be able to live a normal life. Yes, anti-rejection drugs are necessary, but truly a small price to pay in exchange for life. It is a tragedy that Ryan passed away and I wish his family comfort and peace. As someone who went through testing to be a donor for my relative I can tell you without a doubt I would have gladly risked death so he could live. These are personal choices that people make...no one forces anyone to give the gift of life.

Chad, may God continue to look over you and bless you. I wish you peace in heart, mind and soul.

Dear Patti713,

I'm happily married thank you very much. As I have written, this is a tragic story. A healthy person, Ryan, died. That he died in an attempt to help his brother is very noble, selfless, and brave. Other writers have pointed out that the death rate among live liver donors is less than 1/1000. The story does not state how many live liver donors have serious complications or health issues as a result of their surgery. The apparent assumption is that everyone that does not die is fine. I doubt that is true. The other assumption is that transplant recipients are all cured and will live a full life. That I know is not true. Not every transplant has a happy ending.

Based upon the comments I've read, there seem to be few rational people on this thread.

I get your point Dale and I'm sure a lot of people get it too. but what people are saying is that this wasn't the right time for your statistics.

If you knew the family and you were with them while they grieved, would you have tried giving them statistics about the death rate of liver donors? I think not.

And what makes you think the people on this thread aren't rational? believing in God does not make one irrational.

Dale, I totally agree and there are other ethical issues as well, such as whether donors should be paid, involuntary surgery, organ theft, disease transmission, and many more. Instead, we should be investing heavily in stem cell technology so we can grow new genetically compatible organs or stimulate organ regeneration.

Dale... let's let miracles and human triumphs prevail this one time :)

I disagree with those that say Dale's comments are inappropriate. When a tragedy like this occurs is EXACTLY when we should be addressing the real issues of organ transplantation.

The stats cited in this article on LD death are wrong. OPTN (not UNOS, who is simply the contractor) has abyssmal data, losing track of 40% of living donors within 6 months and another 40% w/i one year. Many, many researchers have said that no one really knows the true mortality/morbidity rate of living donors.

A 2006 article cited 2 liver donor suicides within 2 years of donation - those are not part of the 4 now credited to liver transplanation. It's well known that many living donors experience depression, anxiety and PTSD post-donation, yet not a single transplant center offers aftercare or support services. These deaths are most assuredly linked to the donation. If the candidates had pre-existing psych conditions, they should've been excluded as donors.

While the majority of commenters here are well intentioned, they are frightfully ignorant of the true nature of the living donor transplant system in this country. The media only wants to talk about the happy donor stories, or in this case, capitalize on the sensationalism of this donor's death. They refuse to address how there are no standardized evaluation, informed consent or treatment protocols for living donors, or how there is NO LONG-TERM COMPREHENSIVE DATA on living donors' health and well being. We have no idea what happens to any of these people 20 or 30 years later.

What happened to the Arnold family is tragic. We should be demanding the transplant industry do better instead of deifying Chad. His fatherless sons deserve at least that.

While I agree that media outlets tend to have a bias towards the "happy" donor stories, your "gloom and doom" attitude seems biased as well.

I do not know where or when your transplant ordeal occurred, but my experience was much different. I donated 60% of my liver to my father 5 years ago, and he is still on this earth... The sole reason I donated. When my father was given a death sentence (PSC has no cure), and the only option to extend his live was a living donor transplant, there is absolutely no way I could sit back and watch him die, knowing there was something I could have done or tried to do to help. Of course there are still complications, struggles. Of course there were never any guarantees, and several risks. But the bottom line for me is, my Dad has a second chance at life, and we have had 5 more years (and counting) to be near, love and appreciate him while he is still here, all because of the opportunity for living donor transplantation. We cannot condemn science, medicine,... humans if this process is not a 100% success.

My father's transplant was done at a very well known Chicago hospital, and both my father and I went through extensive testing, including psych evaluations, before I was ever approved as a donor match. The doctors were all upfront with the positives AND NEGATIVES, and answered every one of my questions whenever I called or came in to ask. I still am in contact with nurses/ doctors from the transplant department, and they have always addressed my concerns/ questions post transplant in the same manner as they did before. In addition, there are several Living Donor support groups out there... All you have to do is look. Actually, the hospital where our surgery occurred started a support group, and has meetings every few months. I've only been to one so far, but met some really interesting people who are putting effort into increasing awareness and support for living donors. FYI - I am also part of a study through the hospital that tracks living donors post transplant. Not only do they do continual blood work to follow up on donor health, but there is extensive questioning regarding physical and and emotional well being post transplant. The study has recently been extended, and I will continue to be a part of it.

As with anything "cutting edge" or experimental, there are always glitches, problems, imperfections. To say it is horrible that people like Ryan can and do lose their lives while trying to give the gift of life is an enormous understatement. But, how can people learn, grow, improve if we do not try.

Verrie - the article was not about religion.

While it can sound insensitive to ask such a question to a believer - especially with the topic at hand - how in the world do you see god in this and what justification do you have for a belief that we somehow see people again after we or they die? Why do Christians believe that everything that is bad is god's test and everything that is good is god's gift? We should live life based on reality and acknowledge the gifts that we give each other. That is real and far more powerful than a fairy tale that has to be justified when it seems to picks sides.

Sounds like Dale 3242 needs a heart transplant.

It was throughout this article that this entire family are believers. That this guy's faith was helping him cope. That his brother believed totally. So why would you two have anything to say regarding 'fairy tales'? Seems to me that the person that talked about crapping on this story to another poster could include you two in that category as this gentleman believes in what Verrie does also so her post was valid. I recently lost a loved one and can empathize with Chad to a point. I couldn't even imagine my pain in his situation. But his journaling is a good way to help him cope. He should contact a local hospice too. They have many things to help those of us going through a painful situation.

Why all the cruelty? What do you people get out of it? If someone believes in God and it helps them deal with tragedy, what is the poison inside of you that makes you need to attack them?

If they can't prove there is a God, you can't prove there isn't, so go bully someone else.

This story is so inspirational! Let's try to get along!

This story really brought tears to my eyes. It gets down to the raw, the nitty gritty, the rubber hitting the road, where many Christians don't want to be. We don't want to admit that when things like this happen, yeah, we question our faith-and it's okay. Those of you who don't believe may think that all Christians believe blindly no matter what, but that's not true. We wrestle with it. We're human. For myself, I've yelled and screamed at God, telling him he made a mistake. (I didn't just sigh peacefully and say, "well, it's for the best.") He didn't zap me-Job in the Old Testament did essentially the same thing. As for God, he showed me that it wasn't a mistake, after all. After many times of God showing me these things weren't mistakes I'm having an easier time trusting him.

My heart goes out to this man. I pray that he finds peace. What an awesome sacrifice his brother made!

Isn't it amazing how some people take something beautiful and nearly twist it into something awful. A sweet story of two brothers love, a sacrifice and a new life. Believers know this well, non-believers can't or won't understand. This is a believing family, of course God was all over this from the beginning! I, too, pray he will find peace.

kc said "Why all the cruelty? What do you people get out of it? If someone believes in God and it helps them deal with tragedy, what is the poison inside of you that makes you need to attack them?"

Here, here! Just as I can't stand radical Christians forcing their views on me, I also can't stand non-believers doing the same. If faith is a comfort to someone what would anyone else gain from attacking that except to feed their own ego? Why can't people just live and let live without this infernal need to act so superior to one another? As the commenter above notes, this family's faith is mentioned throughout the article, so commenting on the role of faith in the story is not only NOT offensive, it is very apropos given the circumstances. so al, please hold your unsolicited and ARROGANT opinions about how we "should live life" to yourself ... the rest of us already have a plan for our own lives.

Thank you. There was a movie about 10+ years ago called "Corinna, Corinna". It had Whoopi Goldberg, Ray Liotta and a great child star Tina Majorino. Ray and his little girl played by Tina loses the wife/mother. Ray and the wife were atheists but Whoopi who plays the new nanny to the girl is a Christian. Ray's character tells the girl that God is just something people make up to make them feel better and the little girl says, "Well, what's wrong with that?"

I always liked the movie because it didn't villainize either non-believers or believers (though I have to warn you there was a push for Ray to embrace the God issue toward the end, which is likely not very realistic--but this is Hollywood, LOL). But like you said, half the time I think God and Heaven (or the afterlife in any sense) is just a coping mechanism for some of us.

And this is coming from a lapsed Catholic who still does go to Church once in a while but not so great at it anymore. I choose to believe in God and Heaven but I also know when I die there is just as big a likelihood that it all just "goes dark" and that is that. Thank you for your kind comments, though, about those of us who elect to believe in God, though. It was refreshing not to get bopped over the head! LOL. Have a good night.

If they can't prove there is a God, you can't prove there isn't,

The burden of proof lies on those making the claim for a god.

Adam had proof. Moses had proof. Elisha had proof. Mary had proof. The deciples had proof. etc etc... How often should we have to re-prove it for the non-believers?

gordy327

If they can't prove there is a God, you can't prove there isn't,

The burden of proof lies on those making the claim for a god.

Shouldn't the burden of proof also lie with those who say God doesn't exist?

Neither side has tangible proof, so your statement made no sense.

In this terribly sad article, I found one of the most beautiful things I've ever read:

"Suffering is like a pile of rocks. You can choose to carry the load, throw them at someone, just let it lay there, or you can build an altar."

If you are speaking about anything more than an urban myth or anonymous online rant - neither of which is a credible source - and the people you associate with are actually suggesting such a thing, perhaps you should reconsider with whom you associate!!

Medical science is making bigger and better advancements every day. To make these advancements, they must crawl before they walk. A perfect example is angioplasty. In the beginning, it was almost a death sentence. Today it is commonplace.

I can speak about liver transplantation because I was there to watch my husband go through this December 12, 1993. He had hepatitis B and C. Before the transplant, he was put on the interferon program. It was horrible for him. A donor became available, he received his liver and then a week later underwent a bile duct reconstruction. He needed another reconstruction about six months after his transplant. Additionally, he was put back on interferon along with ribavirin for the hepatitis C. At the time, medical science was finding very limited success with this drug cocktail, about a 10% remission rate. The ribavirin was illegal but it was inevitable that the hepatitis C would return to destroy his new liver so we felt that it was worth the side effects, the cost, to at least try. We were advised that we could purchase the ribavirin either out of New York or Mexico, given the contact information and told if anyone wanted to know where we got the information, we were not to tell. We opted for New York.

Today, my husband's liver is working just fine. The hepatitis C never returned once he went into remission. He is checked periodically, so we know. The success rate of the drug cocktail has increased although I do not know the figures or if it has finally received approval for patients to use the combination legally.

My point to sharing this story is to give hope to anyone reading this who may need the hope and some understanding of how medicine progresses. Things are always changing within the medical community. Chad's scar, while huge to someone who has never seen this, is nothing compared to the "mercedes cut" that my husband has. Medical science continues to try and always to improve. In 1993, live donor transplantations were not being done like they are today. Who knows, maybe a treatment or cure will be developed for PSC. We can hope.

When my husband was given the news, he said that he would rather die than go through something like a transplant and refused to have anything to do with it. I stayed out of it. The decision had to be his. Eventually, the illness was getting the best of him, he had a change of heart and today he is still here with a healthy liver. We give much Thanks to GOD for all that we have been given.

My heart goes out to Chad and the quandary that he must be in. It presented a great quandary to me knowing that someone died so my husband could live. How much more it must be for Chad. For anyone that is trying to decide if they should be a donor, please keep in mind that it is a way for you to live on by helping someone else to live on. Ryan gave his life to help Chad live on. There are always risks and I'm sure that both of them were informed. To Ryan, the risk was worth it.

I'm looking forward to reading the continuation of Ryan and Chad's story.

chefaz-1319563, hello my friend

Thank you for sharing.
May you and hubby both be happy and healthy and share many long years happily together.
All the best

Hey Marsha, always good to see you. Thanks so much for your kind wishes. Right back at ya to you and yours!!!

My gosh! What a way with words you have!! How true what you wrote to Chad and how beautiful!! Love among family members was shown here in this story and I agree with everything you wrote in your comment!!

God Bless You TMJ07!!

I agree with Karen, your words are encouraging for Chad and insightful. Thanks for saying what needed to be said.

TMJ07,

Your words were both powerful and beautiful. Only a heart filled with love could deliver such a wonderful message. I hope Chad receives the message, but if not you have delivered it to many others who have read your post.

God bless you!

My dad also received a kidney transplant from a cadaver, after 10 years on dialysis 3 times a week. Wishing we could find the donor that gave my dad a new lease on life. He is now enjoying his grandchildren and great grandchildren. God Bless those who have lost and also have given the best gift of all the Gift of Life.---Toni Pino and family

Cheryl,

You too have suffered much......my gosh......As i have learned over the years.....There WILL always be some things that we will never understand and we will never be able to figure out. It is for God and God only to know certain things, not us. I agree our Faith is tested soooo much in this life, between the suffering, heartaches, broken promises, unloving people, etc. The more our Faith is tested the more we need to run to God and pray so darn hard, never give up, ever, ever, ever, ever. I hope our Lord blesses you in your life today, tomorrow and always. Take Care girl..........