She was working at Charo Chicken, running the register, and while lifting some crates, she pulled a muscle in her right shoulder. Three months prior to that she had been bitten on her right elbow by a brown recluse spider. She had continued to pick at the scab on it, as she had a bad habit of doing, and it eventually turned into cellulitis. She was treated for it and given antibiotics. Apparently, the bacteria was still in her blood and we had no knowledge. As it progressed up her arm, slowly over the next three months, we were unaware of the damage it was doing. Pulling her muscle apparently gave the bacteria a place to attack, and that set off the infection in her arm. We went to the E.R. for her H.M.O. and she was given x-rays. She had a slight temperature and evident breathing problems, not to mention swelling in her right shoulder from her neck down to her elbow, and through the right side of her back. She was told she had a very bad muscle spasm, and to expect it to get worse before it was gonna get better. She was given no blood test or antibiotics. Instead he sent her home with codeine, flexiril, and motrin. And a prescription to see a physical therapist. As for her breathing, he said it looked like she had a touch of the flu, but it was non-related.

Needless to say, over the next few days her condition worsened. And on the 17th of June, at 2 a.m., I had to rush her the emergency. Her eyes were mow yellow, and her breathing was very rapid. They basically said she was gone when I walked her in there. Although she walked herself in, and answered all thier questions herself, and gave them a urine specimen, they still said it was too late. I was told she had a mass consumption of sepsi, and her liver and kidney were malfunctioning. She had full on pneumonia with two leisions in her chest. They said she was only getting 48% oxygen to her brain, and all her counts were high. Her heart rate was too high, and her blood ressure was too low. She was admitted to the I.C.U. And very shortly after intubated. She had emergency debriedment surgery of shoulder and back. The surgery lasted 4 hours. The 18th they tried to stabilize her so she could be transferred to another hospital for a higher level of care. A hyperbearic chamber. Her heart stopped 3 hours after she arrived at the second hospital.

I still can't believe she's gone. I celebrated her 18th birthday at the cemetary this year. Something I wouldn't wish on any mother. I have 6 other children, but it doesn't lessen the pain of her not being here. Now I have to learn to live without her. It's so hard to breathe. I LOVE YOU BABY!, and mommy is always right here for you forever. You're with me every minute of every day, from now until forever more.