Refusing a heart transplant

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shepardsun

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I've never seen such an incredible display of standing by ones' principles. Bravo to you, sir! Know that as your heart beats its last pump you have remained strong in the face of medical oppression and adversity!

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"It's his body. It's his choice" smh

I just can't imagine giving up the chance for a life saving treatment to "stick by my principles" (not sure what those are exactly), especially when he has 2 kids and one on the way. It's not like there's a shortage of people on the transplant list.
 
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So what exactly is his REASON for not getting the vax??

If a HEALTHY person wants to refuse it (on the grounds that they have a higher chance of a side effect, than getting really sick from Covid), then I could understand.

This is a guy with a HIGH likelihood of dying (from not getting a transplant AND from Covid, if he DOES get a transplant). He’s going to HAVE to take other drugs (for immunosupression). Does he plan on refusing those, as well?? Is he afraid of myocarditis?? He’s getting another heart..

If there was some sort of RELIGIOUS opposition (testing of vax on aborted fetal tissue, yada-yada), that would make some sense. This seems like pure stubbornness.

No matter what you think of the vaccine for HEALTHY folks, the elderly/overweight/immunosupressed CAN benefit.
 
Maybe he can get a pig heart in Maryland unless he also doesn’t believe in gene deleted xenotransplantation.
 

I've never seen such an incredible display of standing by ones' principles. Bravo to you, sir! Know that as your heart beats its last pump you have remained strong in the face of medical oppression and adversity!

The patient is a fool
 
Hmm, maybe if some folks hadn't run so hard with the "covid survival rate is 99%, it's like a bad flu, literally no one needs a vaccine unless they're 108 years old or have full blown AIDS" narrative then maybe just maybe we wouldn't have a whole bunch of unhealthy 50 yr old dinguses who think they're superman clogging up ICUs or dudes like the guy in the story refusing life saving treatment over three shots.

But anyway, if I were running any transplant committee anywhere I would straight take him off the list. There's no way he's passing a psychological screen with that degree of irrationality and unwillingness to be compliant/ demonstrate comportance with something as precious as a heart tx.
 
Why does he need a heart transplant at 31? Covid related cardiac complications?
From his gofundme site it sounds like he has some form of genetic cardiomyopathy.
 
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In the article, the father states that his son has integrity and principles that he is fighting for? I just can’t figure out what those principles are? He doesn’t agree with advances in modern medicine and wants nature to take its course?

I took care of a lot of pre- and post- heart transplant patients back in my medicine days and a lot of these patients have serious psychiatric issues related to essentially living in hospitals for months at a time. They are often very maladjusted and have difficulty coping…especially the young ones. I just wish the father spent time trying to talk to his son instead of the media.
 
Ironic twist: It was myocarditis from a different vaccine and he has every right to be skeptical.

Source?

Let’s say it’s true, he certainly has every right to be skeptical. I don’t think that fact grants him the right to circumvent the “rules” that was placed to protect a very scarce resource.

I’d be sympathetic to his reason, but still won’t give him the heart. And apparently this is the hill that he will die on.
 
Source?

Let’s say it’s true, he certainly has every right to be skeptical. I don’t think that fact grants him the right to circumvent the “rules” that was placed to protect a very scarce resource.

I’d be sympathetic to his reason, but still won’t give him the heart. And apparently this is the hill that he will die on.

Gomerblog

(I agree with everything you said)
 

I've never seen such an incredible display of standing by ones' principles. Bravo to you, sir! Know that as your heart beats its last pump you have remained strong in the face of medical oppression and adversity!
His family will be comforted knowing that he is the most principled man in the cemetery.
 
It is funny that the title labels it as the hospital refusing a heart transplant. Why isn't the real title "man refusing heart transplant because he doesn't want to get vaccinated"?

B&W is offering him the heart transplant list but he has to take a vaccine with it.
 
I dug a little.

One news outlet did mention that he’s afraid that his heart will be swollen after vaccination. I suppose the possibility of myocarditis vs death….. he figured odds of death is lower? Maybe hoping his heart functions can recover?

I also enjoyed reading some of the principled individuals who won’t get vaccinated, so they can’t donate their kidneys.
 
It is funny that the title labels it as the hospital refusing a heart transplant. Why isn't the real title "man refusing heart transplant because he doesn't want to get vaccinated"?

B&W is offering him the heart transplant list but he has to take a vaccine with it.

Yes and he is in the hospital already, the pictures look like ICU, lined up, and could get put on VA ECMO if in the very rare event he gets myocarditis from the covid vaccine. Plus he is on the heart transplant list which is the end game.. he needs the organ.. So weigh the very rare risk of vaccine reaction to stay on this list to the very real situation of being denied heart transplant for pt being an idiot
 
No one else thinks he is just trying to get some media attention to appear as a martyr, but will quietly get his vaccine and heart transplant in the coming weeks/months when he realizes that causing a media circus won’t grant him an exemption?
 
No one else thinks he is just trying to get some media attention to appear as a martyr, but will quietly get his vaccine and heart transplant in the coming weeks/months when he realizes that causing a media circus won’t grant him an exemption?
Time will tell.
 
The campaign against vaccines, which seems to emanate from right wing media and people who identify as Republicans, is one of the most bizarre and unethical things I think we will ever witness in modern society. I assume there is a political motivation for it because I cannot think of any other justifiable reason for the campaign against vaccines. I am willing to bet a lot of money that if you drill down into the data, there will be a significantly higher instance of COVID deaths and COVID-related deaths in people who claim to be Republicans…at least since the vaccine became widely available. The people who claim to be against the vaccines will talk about mistrust of science, the government, or corporations…or some amorphous concept of “freedom.” I guess all of that is possible because there has been an erosion of trust in all institutions over many decades. However, I can’t help but wonder if something more sinister is going on. Perceived martyrdom and self-sacrifice are powerful political motivators. The problem is the people doing the self-sacrificing are not the rich and powerful, but rather the poor and desperate.
 
The campaign against vaccines, which seems to emanate from right wing media and people who identify as Republicans, is one of the most bizarre and unethical things I think we will ever witness in modern society. I assume there is a political motivation for it because I cannot think of any other justifiable reason for the campaign against vaccines. I am willing to bet a lot of money that if you drill down into the data, there will be a significantly higher instance of COVID deaths and COVID-related deaths in people who claim to be Republicans…at least since the vaccine became widely available. The people who claim to be against the vaccines will talk about mistrust of science, the government, or corporations…or some amorphous concept of “freedom.” I guess all of that is possible because there has been an erosion of trust in all institutions over many decades. However, I can’t help but wonder if something more sinister is going on. Perceived martyrdom and self-sacrifice are powerful political motivators. The problem is the people doing the self-sacrificing are not the rich and powerful, but rather the poor and desperate.
Does that ring any bells?
 
The campaign against vaccines, which seems to emanate from right wing media and people who identify as Republicans, is one of the most bizarre and unethical things I think we will ever witness in modern society. I assume there is a political motivation for it because I cannot think of any other justifiable reason for the campaign against vaccines. I am willing to bet a lot of money that if you drill down into the data, there will be a significantly higher instance of COVID deaths and COVID-related deaths in people who claim to be Republicans…at least since the vaccine became widely available. The people who claim to be against the vaccines will talk about mistrust of science, the government, or corporations…or some amorphous concept of “freedom.” I guess all of that is possible because there has been an erosion of trust in all institutions over many decades. However, I can’t help but wonder if something more sinister is going on. Perceived martyrdom and self-sacrifice are powerful political motivators. The problem is the people doing the self-sacrificing are not the rich and powerful, but rather the poor and desperate.

It’s the poor and the less educated who are the one paying the price.

Those who are powerful fighting for their freedum, liberty and against mandates… are sitting on the sideline, with their vaccine then egging them on. They’re not the ones dying….

Even on this board, “I am not against vaccination, I’ve gotten my shots. But I am against, x y and x. And people should have the freedom to do whatever they want…”. Do as I say, not as I do.
 
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No one else thinks he is just trying to get some media attention to appear as a martyr, but will quietly get his vaccine and heart transplant in the coming weeks/months when he realizes that causing a media circus won’t grant him an exemption?
More like quietly get vaccinated and not get a heart, cuz we’re not raining nice hearts…
 
The campaign against vaccines, which seems to emanate from right wing media and people who identify as Republicans, is one of the most bizarre and unethical things I think we will ever witness in modern society. I assume there is a political motivation for it because I cannot think of any other justifiable reason for the campaign against vaccines. I am willing to bet a lot of money that if you drill down into the data, there will be a significantly higher instance of COVID deaths and COVID-related deaths in people who claim to be Republicans…at least since the vaccine became widely available. The people who claim to be against the vaccines will talk about mistrust of science, the government, or corporations…or some amorphous concept of “freedom.” I guess all of that is possible because there has been an erosion of trust in all institutions over many decades. However, I can’t help but wonder if something more sinister is going on. Perceived martyrdom and self-sacrifice are powerful political motivators. The problem is the people doing the self-sacrificing are not the rich and powerful, but rather the poor and desperate.



 
The campaign against vaccines, which seems to emanate from right wing media and people who identify as Republicans, is one of the most bizarre and unethical things I think we will ever witness in modern society. I assume there is a political motivation for it because I cannot think of any other justifiable reason for the campaign against vaccines. I am willing to bet a lot of money that if you drill down into the data, there will be a significantly higher instance of COVID deaths and COVID-related deaths in people who claim to be Republicans…at least since the vaccine became widely available. The people who claim to be against the vaccines will talk about mistrust of science, the government, or corporations…or some amorphous concept of “freedom.” I guess all of that is possible because there has been an erosion of trust in all institutions over many decades. However, I can’t help but wonder if something more sinister is going on. Perceived martyrdom and self-sacrifice are powerful political motivators. The problem is the people doing the self-sacrificing are not the rich and powerful, but rather the poor and desperate.

I’ve seen other studies similar to this but this was most easily accessible. Political affiliation was noted as an risk factor for contacting COVID. From the article:
“An unvaccinated person is three times as likely to lean Republican as they are to lean Democrat," says Liz Hamel, vice president of public opinion and survey research at the Kaiser Family Foundation”
 
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Goes hand in hand with the idea that anyone's opinion has the same weight as that of an expert's
 

I’ve seen other studies similar to this but this was most easily accessible. Political affiliation was noted as an risk factor for contacting COVID. From the article:
“An unvaccinated person is three times as likely to lean Republican as they are to lean Democrat," says Liz Hamel, vice president of public opinion and survey research at the Kaiser Family Foundation”

political party matters more than ethnicity for vaccination rates

Of Americans surveyed from Sept. 13-22, 72% of adults 18 and older had been vaccinated, including 71% of white Americans, 70% of Black Americans, and 73% of Hispanics. Contrast these converging figures with disparities based on politics: 90% of Democrats had been vaccinated, compared with 68% of Independents and just 58% of Republicans.

A Gallup survey released on Sept. 29 confirmed the KFF findings. As of mid-September, 75% of adult Americans have been vaccinated, including 73% of non-Hispanic white adults and 78% of non-whites. Along party lines, however, the breakdown was 92% of Democrats, 68% of Independents, and 56% of Republicans.


unvaccinated Republicans should know that most of your fellow party members think you are a *******
 
Some transplant programs are not requiring COVID vaccines to be listed. And American Society of Transplantation only "strongly recommend" vaccination for candidates. So good luck.
 
Some transplant programs are not requiring COVID vaccines to be listed. And American Society of Transplantation only "strongly recommend" vaccination for candidates. So good luck.
Why would they allocate organs to people who won’t take basic risk free precautions to protect themselves before they have their immune systems demolished? What other pseudoscience fantasies will they entertain in their care putting the organ at risk—no tacro because Joe Rogan had someone on his podcast over it? Refuse rabbit thymolglobulin because it is unnatural? Refuse surveillance biopsy because you know your body and know it is t being rejected? They clearly don’t respect the expertise of their transplant physicians. Might as well give it to someone else who doesn’t have those concerns.
 
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"
For the foreseeable future, he won’t be able to shower, he won’t be able to swim. He won’t be able to have a life,” his father, David Ferguson, told the news outlet.

David Ferguson has said his son doesn’t believe in the COVID-19 vaccine.

“It’s kind of against his basic principles, he doesn’t believe in it. It’s a policy they are enforcing and so because he won’t get the shot, they took him off the list of a heart transplant,” he told CBS Boston.

The parents later insisted their son does not oppose vaccines, saying he just worries the jab would complicate his heart condition.

“He’s not an anti-vaxxer. He has all of his vaccines, and he’s an informed patient who is concerned because of his current cardiac crisis,” Tracey Ferguson told ABC News.
"

Sorry, lady, your dingus son definitely is an anti-vaxxer. Also, your husband is an ungrateful dummy who doesn't understand how amazing getting a HMIII is. Your son can't "swim" so "he won't be able to have a life"? Jesus, where TF do they find these people
 
"
For the foreseeable future, he won’t be able to shower, he won’t be able to swim. He won’t be able to have a life,” his father, David Ferguson, told the news outlet.

David Ferguson has said his son doesn’t believe in the COVID-19 vaccine.

“It’s kind of against his basic principles, he doesn’t believe in it. It’s a policy they are enforcing and so because he won’t get the shot, they took him off the list of a heart transplant,” he told CBS Boston.

The parents later insisted their son does not oppose vaccines, saying he just worries the jab would complicate his heart condition.

“He’s not an anti-vaxxer. He has all of his vaccines, and he’s an informed patient who is concerned because of his current cardiac crisis,” Tracey Ferguson told ABC News.
"

Sorry, lady, your dingus son definitely is an anti-vaxxer. Also, your husband is an ungrateful dummy who doesn't understand how amazing getting a HMIII is. Your son can't "swim" so "he won't be able to have a life"? Jesus, where TF do they find these people

“…He won’t be able to have a life…”

I just stopped reading right there.
“You have a simple solution to solve that,” screamed in my head.
 
"
For the foreseeable future, he won’t be able to shower, he won’t be able to swim. He won’t be able to have a life,” his father, David Ferguson, told the news outlet.

David Ferguson has said his son doesn’t believe in the COVID-19 vaccine.

“It’s kind of against his basic principles, he doesn’t believe in it. It’s a policy they are enforcing and so because he won’t get the shot, they took him off the list of a heart transplant,” he told CBS Boston.

The parents later insisted their son does not oppose vaccines, saying he just worries the jab would complicate his heart condition.

“He’s not an anti-vaxxer. He has all of his vaccines, and he’s an informed patient who is concerned because of his current cardiac crisis,” Tracey Ferguson told ABC News.
"

Sorry, lady, your dingus son definitely is an anti-vaxxer. Also, your husband is an ungrateful dummy who doesn't understand how amazing getting a HMIII is. Your son can't "swim" so "he won't be able to have a life"? Jesus, where TF do they find these people

It would complicate his heart condition? He needs a transplant, it doesn't get more complicated
 
That this story makes headline news is a complete joke and illustrative of news outlets trying to further politicize the pro-vax/anti-vax divide.

Plenty of orthopedists refuse to offer elective joint arthroplasty to horribly controlled diabetics that "don't believe" in taking insulin. Plenty of transplant surgeons won't offer a liver transplant to addicts that continue to abuse drugs or alcohol.

If this guy wants a transplant then he follows the local transplant program guidelines which are not intended to be political, but only ensure that a scarce resource provides the most benefit to a potential recipient. If he wants to chose an LVAD or to die unvaccinated that is his choice. But I seriously hope the national news stops broadcasting this crap because he doesn't deserve to be made into an anti-vaccine martyr.
 
He is so “free” attached for a dialysis machine 3 days a week for six hours per session.
Think about how much parler he gets in during those hours though. He’s gonna get trump reinstated any day now to fix his freedom of free dialysis on his socialist Medicare insurance.
 
Paid for by everyone else by taxes through government funded medicare
Apparently this guy is a double amputee also and from his picture he clearly is morbidly obese. So what do you want to bet his amputations and renal failure were the result of severe PVD, uncontrolled DM and HTN?
 
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