Anyone got/know anyone with Swine Flu?

[Wigsie]

BlackandBlue, I am really sorry to read this post. I lost my son in March so I know what you are going through.... PM me if you need any help or just want to talk to someone.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Blimey - puts the world into perspective.

My thoughts are with both you B&B, and you Wigsie... as a parent I have no idea how I'd cope if I lost one of my children. My heart goes out to you both, and to your families.

 

[fossyant]

Terrible news. Very Sorry.

 

[postman]

As one dad to another so sorry BB.

Keep your chin up.

God bless.

 

[Keith Oates]

My sympathies to both of you, no other words can express my sadness at your loss.

 

[Dayvo]

That's terrible news, Blackandblue.

My deepest sympathies to you and your family!

Edited to include my sympathies to Wigsie, as well.

 

[magnatom]

Very, very sad news for both you (Blackandblue) and Wigsie.

You and your families are both in my thoughts.

 

[661-Pete]

Very sorry to read about what you went through, BlackandBlue. And Wigsie. I can only imagine what it must be like to lose a child.

 

[dodgy]

Terrible and sad news, it must have took quite an effort for you to tell us your story.

 

[ajb]

Deepest sympathies to you both.

 

[Danny]

Wow, how terrible for both BB and Wigsie. There can be few worse things than losing your child.

And well done BB for posting such an open account of what happened. As Dodgy said this must have been a real effort, but hopefully writing it all down was helpful.

 

[karen.488walker]

Am very sorry for both of you. Thanks for helping me get a bit of perspective. I should certainly live a bit more for the day and appreciate what I have a bit more. Thank you for telling us. xx

 

[arranandy]

I have had it. My wife has had it, as have my two sons and my daughter. Myself, my wife and my sons all recovered without any serious complications. Unfortunately, my daughter had a "serious underlying health condition" and wasn't able to fight it off. She died a week after first exhibiting symptoms.

The GP claimed it was a chest infection and prescribed antibiotics. Never mentioned swine flu.

The next day, our daughter had trouble breathing and we called an ambulance. She was put on a respirator at A&E and admitted to intensive care. She was tested for swine flu which came back positive. She was given tamiflu and other antibiotics.

In brief, her underlying health condition involved a respiratory problem. This had never been an issue before and she had fought off many colds and infections in the past. Other children with conditions similar to my daughter often require suctioning to assist them removing excess secretions from their mouth and chest. Although we had a suction machine at home, we didn't use it. Our daughter had a very powerful cough reflex and had always been very efficient at clearing her own secretions.

The infection caused by the swine flu was however too powerful for her. She was not able to deal with it on her own and was suctioned regularly in intensive care, in conjunction with physiotherapy to assist her moving the infection from her chest and lungs and saline to try and loosen the infected secretions. In addition she was permanently on assisted oxygen and ultimately was intubated. The infection increasingly clogged up her lungs. Furthermore, the clogged lungs were putting pressure on her heart. Her BP and heart rate were gradually falling, even after she was receiving adrenalin.

Eventually, it got to the point that the hospital were giving her the maximum support they could without causing further damage or complications.

She received the most marvellous care from the nurses and doctors looking after her.

She died peacefully and quickly.

For myself, if it wasn't for the knowledge of what my daughter was going through, I wouldn't have altered my daily routine in any way. And yet I tested positive for swine flu.

For many this will be a mild infection. But for some it is fatal. I am aware that many people are confused by the expression "underlying health problems". As far as I can tell, the main concern is if you have heart or respiratory problems. My daughter had many problems associated with her condition but was generally physically healthy and had fought illnesses and recovered from major surgery many times. She did not have a weak heart but her lungs were perhaps not all that they could have been.

There are some very basic precautions we can take to avoid swine flu and other infections and yet many of us do not bother.

I am still coming to terms with our loss.

For those that have written jokes about swine flu, please don't feel bad on my account. I know some of you may (some of you won't) and others who haven't written jokes may consider them tasteless. I do not. Humour is a good way for some people to deal with things they don't understand or are not able to deal with. Provided the humour is not tasteless, I think it is a perfectly good therapy.

I may not post again for a while.

Thats absolutely tragic. My condolences to you and your family

 

[ChrisKH]

My sincerest condolences B & B. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Wigsie also.

 

[The Jogger]

I have all the symptoms but I haven't bothered calling nhs or anything. Only hassle is that I am off work on annual leave and was planning getting loads of miles in.

That's a swine