'My wife went to rest and died minutes later - her final act gives me comfort'

11 July 2023 , 16:54

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Patrick O’Sullivan’s wife Geraldine, 65, died from a catastrophic bleed on the brain last year (Image: NHS Blood and Transplant)

A husband whose beloved wife tragically died says her final act has helped with his grief. Patrick O’Sullivan’s wife Geraldine, 65, died from a catastrophic bleed on the brain last year.

The former nurse from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, donated both her kidneys and her liver. Patrick, 67, said: “Geraldine’s death was a shock to everyone as she passed away so suddenly.

“The day she died, we were out shopping all day and when we came home, we decided to have a cup of tea in the garden. Geraldine started complaining of a bad headache, so I got her some tablets, and she went to rest on the sofa.

“Minutes later I saw her having a seizure so I called 999 and within 20 minutes the ambulance whisked her to Cardiff Hospital.”

A CT scan revealed the bleed on the brain and the pressure from this had caused a second bleed. It was inoperable and non-survivable.

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Geraldine and Patrick had both signed up to the NHS Organ Donor Register years before and were adamant they wanted to be donors.

Janet Mills also saved lives by donating her organs (NHS Blood and Transplant)

Funeral flowers for Janet (NHS Blood and Transplant)

Patrick said: “We have found comfort in knowing her organs were donated. Geraldine worked in a hospital, she was a caring person and she helped someone right to the end.” Patrick says everyone should agree to honour their loved one’s decision: “Do it. Do it. We knew it was what Geraldine and the family wanted. It’s nice to know people are alive because we honoured Geraldine’s decision.”

Janet Mills, from Bournemouth, died last September after a suffering a massive brain haemorrhage. She had joined the Organ Donor Register and her family knew she wanted to be a donor.

Her brother David Brown said: “The doctor explained how some good could come out of this awful situation, and her husband Pete’s response was absolutely, yes.”

Janet donated her kidneys and liver and at her funeral a small heart of red flowers was placed on her coffin with the words “For giving fresh hope, we are all so proud of you”. David continued: “Knowing some good could come out of Janet’s death brought great comfort to us.

“The donation has helped with the grief. We have this image of somebody waiting for a kidney who has been through hell suddenly being able to lead a normal life again, and that is a good feeling.”

Martin Bagot