off topic DEATH in Family

[Joe S.]

My neice died last week leaving my wifes twin sister to raise a 3 yo. My neice was 40 and had a hole in hef heart that was so large the doctors could not hear it. When we discovered it in my youngest daughter 18 years ago we found out it was a problem in my wifes sife of the family and asked that everyone get chdcked out. My daughters showed up on an ekg after an electrical shock. It took an echo cardiogram to show the damage.

My neice, started with breathing issues. The urgent care doctor told her to lose weight and sent her home. She was having breathing problems and so much pain in her leg that she could not walk when she went into the ER. In the ER they said it was blood clots. They admitted her and started her on blood thinners. That night a clot went to her brain.

The doctors operated an removed that clot. The next day they did an echo cardiogram and found a large hole and a large clot. Surgery was scheduled for the next day so she was kept in a coma. Her O2 levels had dropped significantlybefore the surgery. The doctors removed the clot in her heart as well as 2 clots from her lungs when they closed the hole.

They kept her sedated and it was a couple of days before we could go in to see her for a couple of minutes. She had been put on dialysis and had several other machines besides heart/lung. She was over breathing the lung machine which we took as a good sign. They were pulling extra fluid from her body and things were looking up.

Then she got an infection. Antibiotics were given. She went in for surgery to move the heart lung machine and they could not find large enough veins.they had to take the machine away and Dawn died.

There is a go fund me page that my daughter set up for Brie (Brianna) Hall, Dawns Daughter. Jean is formalizing her custody of Brie this week. Dawns ashes will be burried on Friday.

I wrote this for you so if there is any chance that you or one of your children or grand children could have a hole in their heart, please, please have them checked with an echo cardiogram so you do not have a similar tragedy in your life.

[Linda196]

My deepest condolences on your family's loss, Joe.

I thank you that even in your sorrow you remember others and are considerate enough to remind us all of the steps needed to prevent this tragedy from hitting another family.

[A66eyroad]

Joe, I'm so sorry to learn of this terrible tragedy. Holding you and your whole family in the light.

[SunshineDaydream]

So sorry to hear of your family's loss, Joe. My condolences to all who love Dawn and are affected by her untimely death.

[Scottietottie]

Hi Joe

So sorry to hear of your loss. very sad. How great that your wife's sister is going to raise the child. A difficult time for you all.

Take care - scottie

[Katybarstool]

Dear Joe

What a nightmare for your family. I will remember your niece and her little daughter in my prayers.

Kathyx

[Carebear]

Joe, my sincere condolences to you and your family.  Such a huge tragedy for all of you.  Thank you for sharing this with us, friend.

[irish]

Oh, Joe, This is such sad news. I know that you and your wife will be helpful as possible with this child and with the emotional support that your sister in law will need. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Irish

[Joe S.]

Thank you all for your support.

If heart defects run in your family like they do in Jans please get an echo cardiogram to avoid tragedies like this.

Most of the time the holes are small and the doctors can hear them. Some close on their own. These were large enough so they could not be heard. While Sarahs ekg showed a problem, Dawns did not. The diffinitive test was the echo cardiogram.

[Bucky]

Joe - so sorry for your families loss of Dawn.  My condolences to you and the family.

Bucky

[CMNK12]

Very sorry to hear of your loss  Joe.  Prayers for you and your family. Ck

[susanep]

Joe I am so sorry to hear of this sad time for your family. All of you are in my prayers. It's good knowing that your niece's  little girl will have another family member to raise her.

susanep

[finallyadx]

Joe so very sorry for yours and your familys loss. 

Hoping time will lessen the pain and make room for warm, loving memories.

Hugs

[Sleepy In Seattle]

Oh, Joe - I am so, so sorry. What terrible heartbreak for you and your family - please know I am thinking of you all and sending love and best wishes. 

[Ripvanann]

Joe, got back on the boards recently and just now read this. I'm so very sorry for your loss! So tragic and I know that your wife and her sister must be in a daze right now. One of life's most painful blows is the loss of loved ones gone too soon. 

My estranged husband's side of the family has some heart issues. The story goes that his mother had a small hole in her heart Dx in infancy.  She says that she was misdiagnosed, but only found that out much later on.  Whatever the case, at around age 45, she got viral cardio myopathy and was on a transplant list when I met my husband 20 yrs ago. She ended up needing only a pace maker and built in difibulator (sp?). My mother in law has 4 siblings, one of which has had 2 heart attacks before the age of 50 (male). Her sister is now recovering from her own bout of viral cardio myopathy. She is also set to have a pacemaker/difibulator put in.

They (medical community) used to not believe that this was familial but interestingly enough, a client of mine, only a few years prior to meeting my husband, had been in a study about familial viral cardio myopathy She and 2 of her 3 siblings had all had it by the time they were 45, and the last was still in her 30's at the time. They have told my husband that there's a one in 4 chance that he'll get it. I do jot know what the chances are with my kids.

Thank you for posting Joe. You're in my prayers, along with your family.

Peace to you,
~Andrea