Prayers Please?

This has been a tough morning..........

My step sister was admitted to the hospital Saturday and has been in critical condition all week. She had Septus? some kind of blood infection and she had fluid around her lungs.

I don't know what was wrong prior to her going to the hospital so I really don't know what she was experiencing.

She was tested for Flu and H1N1 and those both were negative. Apparently H1N1 has several tests it goes through, the first 4 last I heard were negative never heard about the 5th test.

Anyway I received a call this morning from my sister who works at the hospital she was in, she passed right after 5 this morning. She was only 36, with all those children. Way too young to die.

She has 7 children, 4 of whom are still very young and were living with her. The oldest has been living with another sister, and the two middle children were living with their father.

The 4 that were with her range in age from 4 months to 5 years. I'm sure they will go on to live with their father but I can't help but think,especially for the youngest they will never really know their mother. My heart is just breaking for them.

I've kept it together for the most part of today but I'm starting to crumble myself. My oldest two, that was their favorite Aunt, and they have been a mess all day. This is the first real death experience for them. Syd is only 8 and still doesn't understand death so she's been ok but the twins are a mess.

I'm still in shock I guess, I couldn't cry this morning when I got the call but I've worn thin now. I'm sure most of you know the thought process. how, why, what could have been different. I keep thinking if she was at another hospital she would have made it. (I don't think the hospital she went to is a very good one)  

I had planned on going to the hospital today to visit her, it's been difficult without a car and my husband not being home to keep the kids so I could go earlier this week. I guess I'm glad I didn't go in a way, she didn't look like herself from what I've been told and I want to remember her the way she was. Her face was blown up like a balloon from all the fluid. 

IF you can just say a prayer for her children please it would be appreciated.

My goodness! You are surely being put to the test, aren't you Girl? When I think about my own situation, I realize that though things are tough, there are always those who may be going through worse.

I am so sorry for your loss... Sometimes it's hard to know how or what to say to convey your condolences to someone. Life can be a completely baffling mystery sometimes. My heart breaks for her kiddos, but as long as the rest of the family will close rank around them, they'll be okay. They'll really need their family -- all of them. My heart also breaks for you -- and I think you are SO due for some good fortune and happiness -- and soon. We're all thinking of you, and praying for you. Hang tough -- I know that can be a lame thing to say, but sometimes that's all we can do -- or say. I'm thinking of you!

 Cat -

My deepest sympathies for your loss. 

Lita

 Cat,

You, your family, her family and children are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry to hear this.

Courtney

 Cat

You have my deepest sympathies for your loss.

Cat :

they will never really know their mother. 

Hug and hold tight to your kids and your family. God WILL get all of you through this.

May God give you & yours the comfort and hope that only HE can provide.

My prayers are with you.

sellen

I am so sorry. Prayers for you all from here.

Deb

 Okay,Cat, to Great People, God gives Great test. After reading this post, you are

 one: working on Sainthood, to survive all the "Stuff". or

 Second": Your Guardian Angels have confused you with Job.

"You are all in my prayers", May you all find your source of "Inner Strength and Peace".

Mary

Cat, I'm so sorry and you surely have prayers from me.  October is tough for us because DH's youngest brother died several years ago this month.  I definitely feel for you and your family.  Hugs!

 Cat - Your entire family are in my thoughts! I wish I could offer you best words other than simply I am so sorry! It is hard to try to explain all of this to kids. Just be understanding ( which I know that you will be ) and time will ease the pain for them.

Please let us know if you need anything! Sending thoughts your way...

 Oh Cat, my heart goes out to you and your family. It is never fun to lose a loved one, and it's always harder when you have to help children through it too. I wish there were something more I could do for you, but you can bet I'll be keeping your whole family in my prayers.  ((HUGS))

Lois

Cat,

I have not been on this forum for a while, I have been busy.  My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.  I have a step sister in a hospital now and pretty serious condition-so I can totally relate.

As far as the children not knowing their mother.  Do you have access to a printer?  Is it possible to get pictures of her thru her life and make prints.  I would make books for each of the children (your own also since it was their favorite aunt) with the pictures.  When my children were growing up, I had a book with pictures of the family in it.  The kids were allowed to look thru it and it helped them recognize people they may only see every couple of years (our families lived in another state).  When we looked thru the book I would tell them that is Uncle ... or Grandma...  etc.

I pray things will get better for you.

Brenda/Ind

very sorry to hear about the loss of your step-sister. and it will be difficult for the children. hopefully the dad is a nice guy. try to keep in touch with them if at all possible.

Cat I'm so sorry!!!!  You and your whole family are in my prayers with extra for your step-sister's children and Maddie and Meghan.  Let me know if there is anything else I can do, really!

This is no comfort but sepsis can be caused by any bacterial infection no matter where the infection began.  This is just a guess but it sounds like she may have had pneumonia.

Hugs, prayers, healing bubbles...

Pam

 Thanks Everyone :)

Pam  I wondered that too and there is a lot they DIDN'T do that I question. I looked it up online Friday night to learn more about Sepsis and now I have even more questions.

Late in September she had a staph infection under her arm and was in the hospital twice for it. After leaving the hospital the second time it seemed to be under control but I'm not sure. We went to the store together around the beginning of October and she said then that her arm was hurting her.

I know with that kind of stuff you have to keep the area cleaned and dressed. I'm wondering if that staph infection never really cleared up and her blood became infected. Thing is since she went to the same hospital for that I would think that they already knew about the staph infection.

THey had her in a face down rotating bed and were giving her 4 antibiotics through IV and was also on a ventilator. WHen she went in her O2 sats were at 28. A couple days later they were up to 91. I question if they were using the same antibiotics that they did for the staph infection- she may have built immunity (especially with a history of drug abuse). I wondered too before I even read about it online if they couldn't have done dialysis for the blood. They didn't bother giving her blood until a day before she died.

I guess all this doesn't matter but I'm still left with a lot of unanswered questions and this whole thing has become a mess with her nonexistent mother reappearing. She has taken control of everything, including the children as she sees dollar signs for the kids. IT's an absolute shame and I hope when she gets tired of taking care of the 4 kids she'll up and leave back to Arkansas where she came from as she has done to her own children several times.

Thanks everyone for the prayers, the kids will definitely need them as an EVIL person is over seeing them now.

Oh Cat this is so sad.  Yes, an unchecked staph infection could have caused this but it would be hard for me, or anyone, to tell without talking to her doctor and getting more information.  An O2 sat of 28 is serious hypoxia, aka lack of oxygen, and she likely would have sustained some brain damage had she lived.  Even an 02 of 91 isn't great.  Again, hard to tell without more details. 

I hope that you get some answers to your questions about the causes, etc., of this tragedy.  Also that the kid's grandmother behaves well for everyone's sake, especially the kids.   You and your whole family are in my prayers and my heart.  I sure wish none of you had to go through this, that your step-sister had lived and done well. 

Pam