On May 3, 2003, my sister arrived at the hospital, her blood pressure was low, she was vomiting and had diarrhea. She thought she had a yeast infection. The emergency room doctor did an exam and told her she might need a little surgery but sounded like it was no big deal. I thought she might have a cyst or boil that would have to be lanced (and I am a nurse). I got her a warm blanket and told her I would see her later. Her husband and daughter were with her so I went home. The next morning I received a call that she was in ICU on a vent, critical condition, had surgery during the night in which a colostomy was performed. I was shocked.

My sister fought for her life for nine days. During all this, her kidneys failed, she was on continuous dialysis, her liver failed, the medication given her to increase her blood pressure caused circulatory problems with her feet and both needed to be amputated and possibly one hand. In the end we think her bowels were ischemic (dead bowel) and we chose to take her off all life support at that time, she would not want to live like this on dialysis possibly the rest of her life with no feet and only one hand, plus the rehab and numerous surgeries. Her liver was probably not going to regain function either. She had developed ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) and toxic shock syndrome. Her doctor said she was as sick as anyone could possibly get.

Sally died on May 12, 2003. I will miss my sister dearly. She is survived by her husband Freddie, a daughter Paula who has two sons, the love of Sally's life, her grandsons, Eligh and John. Her mother, brothers and sisters and a host of other relatives and friends. Sally worked for the prison system and had worked up until a few days prior to her hospitalization. She and her husband were married 3 years and had just gotten a new home that she was so proud of, she enjoyed the yard and was planting flower beds. She will be greatly missed. If you would like to know more about Sally's story please e mail me at Valsdaynow@aol.com. I know she is in heaven looking down on us all.