Robyn Powell’s time on the lung transplant waiting list has been marked by nothing but “excitement”.
“There was no fear or sadness,” said her daughter, Jessie. “I mightn’t understand how she might be so positive. But the thought of getting new lungs passed her off.
It made the situation even more upsetting when, following several months of waiting, Robyn’s doctors deemed her too ill to receive the new set of lungs she desperately needed.
Geelong mother-of-two Victoria died in February 2019 aged 60 – around a year following joining the waiting list.
Sharing her story on the final day of DonateLife Week to encourage Australians to register as organ and tissue donors, Jessie describes the day she, her father John and younger brother Liam learned that Robyn would not be receiving no transplant as “the most devastating day ever”. ”.
“We just knew that was it,” said the 30-year-old.
“It was palliative care following that time, all hope had been lost.”
Robyn had been sick for most of Jessie’s life, but was diagnosed with autoimmune lupus only regarding three years before her death. She also had non-cancerous nodules on her lungs which severely affected her ability to breathe.
“Towards the end, Mom was bedridden and on oxygen 24/7,” Jessie said.
“He was a very social and outgoing person, so it was very difficult.”
Learning that her mother would die if she didn’t get new lungs was also heartbreaking.
“It’s quite shocking to learn that someone else has to die for your parent to live,” Jessie said.
“But one of the nurses explained that means someone else is not dying in vain. They potentially help so many people.
An organ donor can save up to seven lives and help many more through eye and tissue donation.
Jessie said the loss of her beloved mother as she lingered on the transplant waiting list led her to be “very vocal” regarding the importance of saving a minute to register as a donor.
“It’s such a quick and easy thing to do, and a lot of people don’t realize how many people it might help,” she said.
“I made sure all my friends and family are signed up. It’s so empowering to know that you’ve made a decision that if, God forbid, something happens to you, it won’t be in vain.
Robyn Powell was remembered by her daughter as “the happiest and funniest person”.
Jessie also carries on her mother’s spirit.
“She was an absolute weapon, the happiest person, the funniest person,” she said.
“She loved so hard and always put others before herself no matter how bad she felt.
“It makes me so proud to be his daughter and to carry on his positivity and love of life.”
