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A Kentucky man, Anthony Thomas "TJ" Hoover II, who had been declared brain dead, woke up while surgeons were preparing to harvest his organs. After suffering a drug overdose, Hoover was taken to Baptist Health Hospital, where doctors informed his family that he had no brain activity. His sister, Donna Rhorer, says they were told Hoover had agreed to organ donation, and the hospital even held a ceremony in his honor before proceeding with the surgery.
As the surgery to retrieve Hoover's organs began, Rhorer noticed signs of life when Hoover’s eyes opened and seemed to track movement, but staff dismissed it as reflexes. However, about an hour into the operation, a doctor came out and told the family that Hoover "wasn't ready" and had woken up. "He made attempts to say, 'Hey, I'm here,' but it was kind of ignored," Rhorer said, adding that the procedure was stopped after Hoover showed too many signs of life.
Since then, Hoover has struggled with mobility, memory, and speech, and his case has sparked an investigation by state and federal officials. Rhorer has shared her family's story in hopes that it may prevent similar situations, saying, "If it could save one other life, it's worth it." Both Baptist Health and the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates have denied wrongdoing.
Check out the article at The Guardian