Mary's message (in part) from an email seh just sent to everyone. : How horribly sad this is...Her daughter was in excellent health. (Nancy B) She wrote: VWhile we were on the last leg of our fight to Hawaii, Diane passed away. The doctors said that she had a strep infection and toxic shock. Diane and Debbie had gone to Sea Life Park Saturday morning and swam with the dolphins. She had the time of her life. It was the main thing that she wanted to do more than any other while in Hawaii and had a fun. On the way home, she started throwing up. Diane and everyone thought it was the flu, and gave her medicine for it, as well as Gatorade and broth. She took a bath and went to bed. Just a couple of hours later, she was having difficulty breathing and they rushed her to the hospital. In two hours, she crashed the first time. The doctor thought she would live 3 hours. She made it 27 hours, and gave it every fight she could.
She said: "We will be bringing her home at the end of the week. We are meeting with the hospital people in the morning. And then we have a lot of arrangements to make. Thank you all for your prayers. They meant a lot. I don't know how I am going to make it without her. She was my first, and she was my best friend, and she was my co-caregiver. I'm lost.
I will send a memorial to the Alzheimer's Association in Little Rock Arkansas in Diane' Hand's name.. She can contact the Association office and give THEM her home address so she can be notified. Mary and Diane were extremely close and Mary was her co-caregiver. Unbelievable.
I do not understand the time line of this tragedy. She was healthy, swmming on Saturday, got sick on the way home and was gone the next day? I just want to be sure I have it straight. It is too, too sad. What a tremendous loss. I can only extend my sympathy. Nothing seems right at the moment.
I can not even come up with words I want to use. This is so very shocking . Those of us who find our selves here focus so much on the gradual loss of our spouses and then when something like this happens it brings us to a new depth of loss . I am so very sorry.
I am in total shock, and hurt so much for Mary. Swimming with dolphins is fun..How can it be toxic? I can't even finish what I want to say... Oh Mary....this is horrible
The strep infection must have been lingering in the background for a while do this kind of damage so quickly. With so many antibiotic resistant infections around these days, it can be impossible to treat some of them. Toxic shock means that it had infected her whole system, pretty difficult to treat.
Dear Mary, You and your family are in my prayers and those of my family. We are not suppose to bury our children. This is everyones worst nightmare. We are not supposed to bury our children. Life is so unfair. Please know that we are here for you, always and for whatever you need. Please call anytime you need to talk. Feel my hugs. Remember, "God does not Make bad thing things happen, but he will Give us the the strength to handle them. Arms around and around, Susan
This is insane. Beyond imaginable. My heart is breaking for Mary. I met Mary, Diane, and Dave on the February cruise. She was shouldering so much. And now this. I cannot imagine.
I cannot see the screen very well as i am crying for Mary and her family, you are not supposed to lose a child , I can only say how sorry I am, God must have a better plan for her she will now be an angle in heaven, my arms are around you . Gail
I too awakened to her tragic email. I feel numb. Words cannot adequately express the sympathy I want to extend to you Mary. I know you feel lost, and that is understandable. I am so, so very sorry for your and your family's loss of Diane.
I also am just devistated and I only met Mary on this forum. She is such a wonderful caring Mother and Wife my heart aches for her. Sad day for all of us here. This has been so sudden. Mary we all love you. Lois
I couldn't believe the e-mail. How awful for Mary and her family. I am praying God will give them peace and help through the days weeks and months ahead. I never had children so I can only imagine the pain Mary is going through. God bless you and all you loved ones Mary.
Mary, I am in shock at this turn of events for you. My sympathies for you and your family. Everyone has said all that I can only reiterate. I have a beautiful daughter and the idea of not having her absolutely is the worse thing I can imagine happening. Please draw from our support and feel the hugs {{{{HUGS}}}}} that we all send you. God bless you and yours.
There are no words to help expresss my condolences. Having a daughter, I think I can empathize, you must be in so much pain. I can only say my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I don't know what I can add to what the others have already said, this is a terrible shock to all of us, I can't imagine your grief and sorrow. You, your husband and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. (((Hugs)))
Mary, I am at a loss for words to comfort you. However, I do pray that God will give you strength to face the upcoming week and all the hard stuff that follows. We are just a mouse click away. Love you Phyllis
This is beyond comprehension. I am so sorry to hear this news. Oh Mary, please know that we are thinking of you and praying for your family right now. Many of us have children who are so involved with us and so helpful that we KNOW exactly how this must be for you. Our feeble attempts here may not be enough but we sincerely send our hearts your way and pray that you will receive the strength and courage to get through this awful time.
Everyone else has said it, and I left a message on facebook....I'm soo sorry for this terrible loss. As a mom who's lost a son (21) I can empathize with what you must be going through. Praying for strength for you and your family at this time of grief.
My sympathies go out to Mary, and Dave as well -- I know both are suffering terribly from this unexpected loss. I just Googled Staph toxic shock, and it's awful business!
Dearest Mary, at times like these we can only question what the purpose of losses like this could be. so many of us are staring in the face of disease and future death that is to be expected. but a loss of a healthy vibrant daughter is just too much to fathom. i know we will be here when you stretch your hand out for support and comfort. your friend always, Divvi
Mary, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's just unbelieveable, that this could happen so fast. And so senseless. Please accept my heartfelt feelings that I'm sending your way.
Mary, my heartfelt sympathy and love goes out to you and your family in this terribly difficult time. May God watch over you all and bring peace to you.
Mary--I am so very sorry for your loss. So very unexpected. However, Diane will always be with you--in your heart and watching over you and your family. Think of it as a promotion--she's gone from being a Caregiver to being the Guardian Angel for you, your DH, and your family. Prayers continue to be with you through this very difficult time. Carosi
Oh my....I just got back home and turned on the computer to hopefully hear Mary's daughter was better. I am so, so sorry. There are no words adequate enough to express the sympathy I feel for you.
Dear Mary: My heart goes out to you and your family: There are no words that will comfort you, I feel your pain, having lost our only Son, to ALS...You now have your own Guardian Angel to watch over you.. I will pray that you will have the strength and the Faith to keep you going. God Bless you . A Big cyber hug to you
Life and death are such mysteries...when something like this happens, I don't understand it. I can only tell you Mary that I am so sorry for your great and sudden loss. We humans keep going through such heartbreaking happenings and survive somehow. May you find comfort in knowing your friends are praying for you.
Oh my dear Mary, I am having an extremely hard time dealing with your loss. It's soooo painful, I can't speak. I will keep you and Diane in my heart. Perhaps I'll be able to speak more eloquently later, but for now, God Bless. ~Di