I'm shocked and saddened.
I found out tonight that a woman I had been talking to on the scoliosis forums for a long time, has passed away due to complications during her surgery.
She leaves behind a husband and three very young children. She was in her 30's.
Her name is really Trudy. She had her surgery on Thursday, and things went terribly wrong. She was losing a lot of blood and the anesthesiologist made a mistake. The blood was being pumped into her lungs. By the time it was discovered and fixed, her heart had suffered too much damage and caused her to have a stroke. She was pronounced brain dead and the family removed life support last night. On the 10th.All of us who have had the surgery and those thinking about it, know all too well the complications that could happen going in. It was made clear to me that the hospital I was in, had a copy of my living will on file before they would do it. I was counseled on all all that could possibly go wrong. I'm sure Trudy was as well. But this, this was a grievous mistake on the part of the anesthesiologist, something that could have been prevented.
I am so upset about this news. Trudy was so excited about having the surgery, as most of us are. It's a chance to get our lives back free from the constant pain we lived in.
She had hopes of being able to do more with her children, enjoy life again.
I can't even begin to imagine how her children are coping with this.
My heart breaks for her whole family.
Comments
Ohhh no. So very, very tragic. I just don't understand why such things have to happen. My heart breaks for her husband and children. I'm sorry for your loss, too. Just because we may never meet our online friends face-to-face doesn't make them any less a friend. You're all in my thoughts.
Posted by: Leigh | February 14, 2007 1:57 AM
What haunts me most is Trudy's last post, right before she went into surgery, saying "This is it" very bravely. It's unspeakably sad and shocking. I can't bring myself to participate in the Forum for a while. And I know people aren't going to glibly tell those who are going into surgery: "You'll be fine, don't worry about a thing!" The truth is, there is plenty to worry about and it may NOT be all fine. I've been very messed up since this happened, and feel unable to face my own impending surgery in June (although I guess I have to).
Posted by: Chris | February 14, 2007 8:17 AM
Isn't it just awful? I can't get it off my mind. We go into this expecting to come out. It just reminds you of how fragile life is and the fact that nothing is a guarantee.
Posted by: Brandi | February 14, 2007 12:06 PM