Sad story from a mom...Prego gals dont read :(

Before you read any further, I just want to say that I am very sensitive to pregnant ladies hearing this type of stuff. I would not say this if you were in the room, so please dont read it, if you are sensitive to very sad and tragic stories dealing with children...


I heard a really heartbreaking story this weekend...

I went to a MOMS CLUB Luncheon this weekend. Its an International Club with over 85,000 members all over the world. ITs basically a frienship/fun/support type group for stay-at-home moms, with chapters all over the world (momsclub.org). It was started over 20 years ago, by a mom who wanted to mingle and spend time with other moms and children...

There were lots of fun activites. All chapters made boards, baskets and huge displays, showing off their cookbooks, scrapbooks, fun visits to the zoo, what service projects they did for their communities, etc. There were a few moms that brought their nursing infants, a few pregnant moms, and over 400 moms just spending the day with their closest friends....

Towards the end of lunch, there were raffle give-aways, display contests, etc.

Then one mom got up to tell a very personal story.
It was 30 minutes that changed my life.
From eating chicken and sipping soda, 400 moms in the room were sobbing like babies..

Her daughter Heather was 2 1/2. On March 3 (yes, less than a month ago), they took her to the Dr. for a simple skin rash. Without getting into too much detail here, this simple rash was STeven Johnson Syndrome. and from Dr.'s visits, ER Visits, overnite stays at the hospital, her skin 'falling off' all over her body, being bandaged up from head to toe, having many tubes in her mouth, and a catheter and several other tubes below, to immense pain, confusion, tears, and heartache,
this precious daughter, who just two weeks ago was playing in the park with her little brother, was taken from them, to be with Jesus and all the precious Angels in Heaven, on March 17th...

I have not gone into details, but just wanted to give a brief note about what occurred. The mom told us many of the symptoms, which seem so common:diaper rash, fever, gooky eyes, etc... There are many many more symptoms, there are several different types of this disease, and it is extremely rare.

This was just an eye opener that we needed on that bright sunny day, when we were thinking 'what a great day'... It really puts things into perspective sometimes even makes you question 'why??? why ???? why???'

Everyone please send a special kiss up to Heather, and pray that she is with special little Angels like herself....

We have never met this woman, yet we all felt that common bond that a mother has with a child. It was the most heartbreaking story I have ever heard. God Bless her strength, for making her come to peace with Gods plan for Heather, and giving her the strength and courage to make it there that day....

Hugs to all...

Oh my goodness...i am here crying right now. What a sad story and it is things like this that puts life in perspective so much! My prayers are with her family and all my thoughts and hugs and kisses go up to Heather where she now resides as the new angel!

I'll say a prayer for her & her family. What a heartbreaking story
What causes this disease?

I was just reading an article on this condition. They were saying its a very rare reaction to certain prescribed drugs. Ugh so sad

I couldnt imagine that. I feel SO bad for her entire family. Since her birth I sometimes think what would my life be without Emma now... I wouldnt be able to live. I hope your friend finds the strength to get through this.

Anna, reading this story gave me chills. Oh my word. God knows best. I hope her and her family can find peace soon

That is a sad story Thank you for sharing, who would have thought a simple rash could tunr out to be a devastating disease.
God Bless her and the family.

My God what a horrible story!! After I read it I picked up my son & ravaged him w/ kisses & hugs. He's now on my lap 'helping' me type. He is my world.

My prayers are with that precious angel & her family!

That was so sad

What a terrible thing to happen to a child. That was so sad. My thoguhts and prayers are with that family. A child is such a precious gift, one you have to treasure always. I wish I were home right now with my little boy to give him a huge hug and kiss, instead of being stuck at work.
May God Bless all our Little Ones.

How terribly sad for this family. My only hope is that perhaps now more people will learn about this condition and research will increase to help prevent this disease in the future.

My heart and prayers go out to the entire family.

OMG! I popped back on this morning to say a quick hello to Anna and everyone else b/c Michele emailed me the post that Anna wrote on the NW board last week...

I totally freaked out when I read this - especially since Paul JUST had a fever, flu-like symptoms, a slight diaper rash and gookey eyes...not to mention, he was just on 10 days of antibiotics!

Anna - I know this is a rare disease, but I think you should have warned the MOMS about reading this too...I am far more freaked by this than one of the preggo Moms might be - after all, their babies are still SAFE in the womb!

I just did some quick searches on Google and learned that this disease happens as a result of ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO MEDICINES...either prescription antibiotics or even over the counter medicines. It can be deadly, but it can also be stopped before it does too much damage. If left untreated, many patients lost their eye sight, lose the ability to prespire (very dangerous), and can lose hearing. All of this results from the skin blistering and falling off.

Therefore, some good advice to ANYONE - not just Moms - is to monitor your illnesses very carefully and if you are not getting better, or are developing new symptoms, TELL your doctor!! Keep careful records of family allergies to medicines and each individual's allergies to medicines.

Here's a link, if you are interested in learning more, but I WARN you - DO NOT LOOK AT THE PICTURES!!! Stevens Johnson Foundation

Hi Claud- nice to 'see ya'

I also thought later on that I should have 'warned' moms also but I figured my words 'if you are sensitive to very sad and tragic stories dealing with children...'
would have given them the idea of what they were about to read.

Its so sad that these things happen. and most of the time I feel silly about taking John Anthony to the Dr for just a little cold. We really should be able to ask all the questions we want and take them to the Dr. even if we see a little rash...



We heard this story in the midst of a formal lunch, speaking about dirty diapers and first words, so needless to say, we really didnt get much of a 'warning'...in minutes we were all captivated by this woman's voice, her tragic story, her courage, and her strength...

Kisses, hugs and lots are prayers are sent to Heather ....