Do you believe you take on some characteristics from your donor after you receive an organ?

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Permalink Reply by Dara on April 25, 2008 at 12:17pm

I like playing video games more than I used to. Just kidding. I am the same as I was before only a bit more of a Jesus Freak now. I wouldn't ever blame that on the donor.
The article is a bit strange, to say it nicely.poor woman probably thinks she has a curse on her. I can't imagine losing two husbands to suicide. I can't even imagine losing my one husband. God bless her.

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Permalink Reply by J T Rhodes on April 25, 2008 at 12:32pm

Bill Wohl believes this. I think my donor died in a bicycling accident (based on newspaper article and friend of family of bicyclist). When I woke up from surgery I felt like riding a bicycle!
Didn't notice any really major changes but find I am eating spicy foods and crabs more

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Permalink Reply by Peach on May 1, 2008 at 12:01pm

I don't know if I've have traits or not but I knew or had a feeling that my donor was a girl before I found out anything. I had a dream a long time ago. I don't really remember much of it but there was a picture of a young girl, kind of like a school picture. She was wearing some kind of jean skirt/dress outfit and had redish light blond long hair. This didn't look like anyone I personally know or have ever seen so I had always asumed that it was my donor.

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Permalink Reply by Kim Jacques on May 28, 2008 at 12:04pm

Yep, most definetely believe I have traits floating around. I've become a lot more clumsy with stairs (NO it's not due to the meds ;-)), fearful of heights (this kicked in within weeks...it was weird), and my laugh changed. Though I'm iffy on that last one b/c my vocal cord became paralyized either during the acctual tx itself, when the doctors were putting the respirator in me, or when it was being removed. I LOVE pasta now. I mean, I've always liked it but holy crap post transplant it's just become intense! Unfortuntely, I've just been diagnosed w/ diabetes so I have to cut back!

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Permalink Reply by Rev P on July 3, 2008 at 2:29pm

Hello I am a Chaplain working with transplant patients at UCSF and a interfaith minister. I have found that patients often have cellular memories from the organs they have received. I am working on a study of research at UCSF through guided meditation to integrate the energy of the donated organ into a patients own. Also bringing a awareness of the gratefulness of to your organs that have served you thus far and being concsious of making a place for the new organ you will receive. Any thoughts or feedback?
Many thanks and blessings

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Permalink Reply by Colette Jordan on August 31, 2008 at 10:35am

I would love to hear more about this study. I truly believe in the energy and spirit that each of us possess. I have tried doing some reiki and meditation exercises to help me be aware and to work on the healing of my liver...pre- transplant; and acceptance and healing post transplant. I'd be very interested in hearing more feedback. I am certain that I have taken on the energy or certain traits of my unknown donor, but cannot identify/specify the actuality of my feelings. ( I am certain of 2 things...my donor must have been a chocoholic who loved walking and the outdoors. These are characteristics that I can specifically identify. The spirituality is something I would like to explore in greater depth.

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Permalink Reply by NICOLA on August 14, 2008 at 3:58pm

I remember a few day after my Transpalnt I had a feeling I had little boys Heart and lung it was a funny sort of feeling it was true then out of the blue I kept seeing things like this street and this tall house and when I went to meet my donors family about six year ago the street I kept seeing was that street I am now also a spiritual medium and are in a development group so I really do belive.
And in away I think it has alot to do with healing of the mind after transplants

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Permalink Reply by Donnia on September 9, 2008 at 9:14am

I know I now like foods that I did not like before... I hated fried mushrooms... now I like them (my donor's favorite food). I also did not like pizza, after I got out of the hospital I was craving pizza (my donor's 2nd favorite food)!!!

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Permalink Reply by Bette Luksha-Gammell on September 27, 2008 at 8:21am

This same topic was on the news last year and again repeated a few months ago.
Condensed version:
Heart and lung recipients for some reason can take on traits of their donors.
I can only state from my side that it was true.
My family (except me) are from New England so I was raised on seafood alot. Living in Florida it was our main staple.
After my first lung transplant-I craved seafood-could not stomach it at all. For 10 years this drove me crazy.
After the 2nd lung transplant I now crave seafood 24/7.
There are other characteristics but this one is the most pronounced.

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