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Caring Bridge
Connecting Family and Friends When Health Matters
My Sister~50 and Dying~This Happened Two Years Ago If you read this two years, please update at the end
This is my sister Debbi, taken June 4, 2010
July of 2010
Debbi started getting attacks where she was short of breath, and after a mountain of tests, was diagnosed with heart failure. The cause was a mystery to the Medical Professionals treating her. They eliminated all known other causes of heart failure and contributed her condition to an unknown source, figuring that she had most likely contracted a virus earlier in the year that attacked her heart and did permanent damage. The doctors were hopeful that she would bounce back as she is a healthy young adult. She was treated with many drugs, put on a very restricted diet, and was at home until recently.
Oct 12, 2010
Debbi was again admitted into the hospital having extreme difficulty breathing and maintaining any lifestyle. They found she had pneumonia, treated her, and had that under control. They have been fairly successful in pulling off fluids from around her heart, which makes it easier for her to breathe. There are an abundant number of steps she will need to follow before a clear treatment path is decided on. Her heart has permanent unrecoverable damage. It is likely that the worst case, most evasive treatment, although risky, is the great hope and promise of Debbi receiving a heart transplant, which would be her only chance at being "cured".
Oct 19, 2010
The doctors found today, during a heart biopsy, that Debbi has present and abnormal protein. Key test results were received yesterday that indeed proved that Debbi has Cardiac amyloidosis - proteins in the heart that are not curable. This protein will remove her from being a candidate for a heart transplant. Without that lifesaving measure, Debbi will not be able to recover from her heart failure. Debbi's treatment turned from preventive/curable to palliative. It has now been discovered that these 'abnormal proteins' have entered other viable organs, eating through her pancreas and into her liver. She has been fighting hard to remain positive and energized. But it is indeed a blow. Debbi seemed, oddly enough, at a resolved peace. Her children are coping about as well as one could expect given the circumstance...
Oct 22, 2010
It is with deep pain and a broken heart that I share this current update. Today was a very difficult day for Debbi and her children. A care conference was held for an open discussion with her children and doctors about how long she will be with us. She is in unbelievable mental and emotional pain. Every day she is tortured by the inevitability of her mortality. The palliative care will be moving forward and she will begin receiving limited to no medicine to keep her in her current condition. She will not be suffering as the hospital will make sure for the next week or so that they accommodate her to be as comfortable as possible while she readies herself to move on.
Sarah, Debbi, Melissa and My Godson, Eric... 10-15-2010
A Note to My LJ Friends:
I find myself crying at the strangest times. And writing this, has brought many tears, and taken a long time to write. But, it has been good for me. I now know the true understanding of the words, "I wish it would have been me instead." So thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope if anybody has ever had a family member or friend who has gone through this, I would love to talk to you. It is a relatively newer illness, and so much needs to be learned. I am so proud of my sister... she signed off on needed forms to donate her body for science. I am sure it will not give them a cure, but as Debbi said, "If by my doing this, helps to prolong someone's life so they have more time to spend with their family, it is more than I could hope for."
You have always been a beautiful angel that God sent to me from above. You are in my heart, thoughts and prayers; you've always been in my world... I love you so much, my little sister... Always and Forever.
Current Mood: crushed
Current Music:My Heart Will Go On and On
Dear Friends... Oct 24, 2010
I'm sorry to announce that Debbi has passed away. Sarah was with her as she passed. It was as unpainful as possible. Debbi is at peace now. Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts and well wishes.
God's Garden Must be Beautiful
God looked around the garden,
and found an empty space.
He looked down upon the earth,
and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you,
and lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
for He only takes the best.
He knew that you were weary,
and He knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never,
be well on earth again.
He saw the roads were getting rough,
and the hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids,
and whispered, "Peace Be Thine".
Oct 24, 2012 ~ And a small update
Today... We remember all our love for you. Knowing you, I can just imagine you have every angel laughing. Here's a remembrance of yours and miy favorite new idol singer, Connie Talbot (only older), singing to Whitney and other young actors (Quit chuckling - I know you know which one is my favorite) who died before their time, just like you. What nobody realized, is you died on my youngest daughter, Kari's, birthday, who you just happened to be her godmother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijYNTMdlF0o
"Remember them as life, not as death, and Celebrate the living."
Connecting Family and Friends When Health Matters
My Sister~50 and Dying~This Happened Two Years Ago If you read this two years, please update at the end
This is my sister Debbi, taken June 4, 2010
July of 2010
Debbi started getting attacks where she was short of breath, and after a mountain of tests, was diagnosed with heart failure. The cause was a mystery to the Medical Professionals treating her. They eliminated all known other causes of heart failure and contributed her condition to an unknown source, figuring that she had most likely contracted a virus earlier in the year that attacked her heart and did permanent damage. The doctors were hopeful that she would bounce back as she is a healthy young adult. She was treated with many drugs, put on a very restricted diet, and was at home until recently.
Oct 12, 2010
Debbi was again admitted into the hospital having extreme difficulty breathing and maintaining any lifestyle. They found she had pneumonia, treated her, and had that under control. They have been fairly successful in pulling off fluids from around her heart, which makes it easier for her to breathe. There are an abundant number of steps she will need to follow before a clear treatment path is decided on. Her heart has permanent unrecoverable damage. It is likely that the worst case, most evasive treatment, although risky, is the great hope and promise of Debbi receiving a heart transplant, which would be her only chance at being "cured".
Oct 19, 2010
The doctors found today, during a heart biopsy, that Debbi has present and abnormal protein. Key test results were received yesterday that indeed proved that Debbi has Cardiac amyloidosis - proteins in the heart that are not curable. This protein will remove her from being a candidate for a heart transplant. Without that lifesaving measure, Debbi will not be able to recover from her heart failure. Debbi's treatment turned from preventive/curable to palliative. It has now been discovered that these 'abnormal proteins' have entered other viable organs, eating through her pancreas and into her liver. She has been fighting hard to remain positive and energized. But it is indeed a blow. Debbi seemed, oddly enough, at a resolved peace. Her children are coping about as well as one could expect given the circumstance...
Oct 22, 2010
It is with deep pain and a broken heart that I share this current update. Today was a very difficult day for Debbi and her children. A care conference was held for an open discussion with her children and doctors about how long she will be with us. She is in unbelievable mental and emotional pain. Every day she is tortured by the inevitability of her mortality. The palliative care will be moving forward and she will begin receiving limited to no medicine to keep her in her current condition. She will not be suffering as the hospital will make sure for the next week or so that they accommodate her to be as comfortable as possible while she readies herself to move on.
Sarah, Debbi, Melissa and My Godson, Eric... 10-15-2010
A Note to My LJ Friends:
I find myself crying at the strangest times. And writing this, has brought many tears, and taken a long time to write. But, it has been good for me. I now know the true understanding of the words, "I wish it would have been me instead." So thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope if anybody has ever had a family member or friend who has gone through this, I would love to talk to you. It is a relatively newer illness, and so much needs to be learned. I am so proud of my sister... she signed off on needed forms to donate her body for science. I am sure it will not give them a cure, but as Debbi said, "If by my doing this, helps to prolong someone's life so they have more time to spend with their family, it is more than I could hope for."
You have always been a beautiful angel that God sent to me from above. You are in my heart, thoughts and prayers; you've always been in my world... I love you so much, my little sister... Always and Forever.
Current Mood: crushed
Current Music:My Heart Will Go On and On
Dear Friends... Oct 24, 2010
I'm sorry to announce that Debbi has passed away. Sarah was with her as she passed. It was as unpainful as possible. Debbi is at peace now. Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts and well wishes.
God's Garden Must be Beautiful
God looked around the garden,
and found an empty space.
He looked down upon the earth,
and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you,
and lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
for He only takes the best.
He knew that you were weary,
and He knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never,
be well on earth again.
He saw the roads were getting rough,
and the hills were hard to climb.
So He closed your weary eyelids,
and whispered, "Peace Be Thine".
Oct 24, 2012 ~ And a small update
Today... We remember all our love for you. Knowing you, I can just imagine you have every angel laughing. Here's a remembrance of yours and miy favorite new idol singer, Connie Talbot (only older), singing to Whitney and other young actors (Quit chuckling - I know you know which one is my favorite) who died before their time, just like you. What nobody realized, is you died on my youngest daughter, Kari's, birthday, who you just happened to be her godmother.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijYNTMdlF0o
"Remember them as life, not as death, and Celebrate the living."