Serious Request for Prayer/Thoughts/Whatever you feel like

[Clint Barton]

I'm simply devastated at the moment.

My favorite (not supposed to have favorites, but I do) neice is in the hospital with cystic fibrosis, a disease she has battled bravely for all of her 24 years. Her name is Erica and she is perhaps the strongest young lady I've ever met.

Despite the severity of her illness her entire life, she's managed to graduate with honors from High School, College and even obtained her Masters degree. Often, I've used her example of constant struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds as a reminder of just how miniscule my personal problems are in my life.

She is such a brave young lady, that she took a job in Florida...hours away from her parents and family and has fought the disease as it's progressed without missing much work at all. She's touched everyone she's ever come in contact with and is a true inspiration to all.

Right now she's likely dying, according to her doctors in Florida. Massive amounts of the strongest antibiotics and intense therapies haven't made a dent in this episode. Erica realizes that her lifespan is short on this Earth and has made the most of it, and somehow seems at peace.

Being overly selfish, I'm not ready to see her go just now...and the rest of our extended family feel the same way.

Please say a prayer for this young lady that she will not suffer and will, with God's will, live on.

I sincerely appreciate it and will keep you all informed if you'd like.

Take care!

Clint

[Gingold]

That's terrible, Clint. She'll be in my thoughts. Hang in there.

[Ontir]

Add my prayers to the list.

[Samurai]

I wish her (and your family) the best, and hope she pulls through.

[Dr. Hfuhruhurr]

Add me in there and I'm in Florida, so if there's anything I can do, give me a shout.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

You have my thoughts. Just keep good thoughts Clint and hope for the best. You and your family should be proud because she never stopped and let the disease stop her from living.

[Mike Smash!]

You have my sympathies and best wishes for you and your family, Clint.

[JeffreyWKramer]

You and yours also have my sympathy and best wishes.

[Matt Algren]

My prayers have been added.

Best to Erica and your family, Clint.

[That JonoGuy]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope she pulls through.

[Paul McEnery]

I feel for you. That's harsh.

[Solaris]

Prayers said, well wishes sent. I don't know what life has in store for her, so I'll just wish strength to you all, but most especially to her.

[Adam Crocker]

I'm sorry to hear about this. A friend of my mother's has a son who has cystic fibrosis and last I heard he was merely doing "okay" because of the disease. I hope that she pulls through, or if not, that her death is painless.

[Clint Barton]

Thanks everyone. Your prayers and thoughts mean so much.

Last night Erica was confirmed to have pnuemonia in both lungs and is being "loaded" with 4 different front line antibiotics to make her fever go down. In addition, her heart rate is up to 160 at times and a pulmonologist is concerned as to why. Lastly, of primary concern is the elevated enzymes of her liver function tests. The doctors have confirmed that she has Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria in her lungs which has usually been there most of her life....just in not as great of concentration....apparently, it's typical of cystic cases.

The good news is that she has eaten around 2 tsp of food this morning. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it is for her at this point because she actually asked for food.

Please continue to pray for her and thanks for remembering her and us in your thoughts and prayers.

I may drive to Florida soon if my brother and sister in law need me for anything.

[Deathstroke]

I'm hoping for the best possible things for your niece.

[darkkeeperjr]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Hope everything works out fine.

[Iangould]

It's moments like these when I wish I did believe in God since then I could believe my wishes for your niece's survival would have some practical effect.

From what you say Clint, she's a fighter and I hope she pulls though.

I'm really sorry for you too that this comes so soon after your marital problems.

[Winslow]

That's rough

Good thoughts and prayers sent your way, Clint.

[twilight]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family Clint.

[Typo Lad]

Clint,

My Best Man (http://www.luchins.com/articles/mikey.htm) had CF, so I know a little of what you're going through.

I am about to say morning services. I will have your niece in mind.

[Motormouse]

My thoughts and best wishes go out to you and your family dude. I used to be a paediatric nurse and worked with kids with cystic fibrosis for two years, and it wasn't pleasant. Hope she pulls through.

[Cei-U!]

Please say a prayer for this young lady that she will not suffer and will, with God's will, live on.

Done and done. My thoughts are with you and your family, Clint.

Kurt

[rick]

My hopes and best wishes to your niece and the rest of your family.

Her illness is a rough one and you must be so proud of her for how tough she has to have been to have gone on so long with this vicious condition.

[Guapo Méndez]

Thoughts and prayers to her, Clint.

[Clint Barton]

Thanks, everyone and that tribute Typo, was quite touching....

The update is that Erica is stable and responsive, but her temperature still hovers around 102 and it's not going down. Apparently, there's pnuemonia in both lungs. The good news is that the antibiotics, albuterol and percussions on her chest/back seem to be making it easier for her to breathe on her own and she won't be needing a ventilator for the time being.

I am leaving for Florida tomorrow morning though. Not sure what I can do aside from giving my brother/sister in law support and taking care of Erica's little dog....but it's something.

[Matt Algren]

I am leaving for Florida tomorrow morning though. Not sure what I can do aside from giving my brother/sister in law support and taking care of Erica's little dog....but it's something.You're wrong. It's everything.

[Clint Barton]

You're wrong. It's everything.

Yeah, you're right Necktie. How quickly I forget that family is so important in times like this.....

I guess I just don't like to feel so powerless....does that make sense?

[Matt Algren]

Yeah, you're right Necktie. How quickly I forget that family is so important in times like this.....

I guess I just don't like to feel so powerless....does that make sense?It makes perfect sense. Our culture doesn't teach us how to mourn, so it tends to be more awkward than it could be.

I don't want to jump the gun, but it sounds like this is where your family is headed. I'm a big fan of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Click the link (http://www.elisabethkublerross.com/docs/Changing_the_Way_Our_Culture_Mourns.pdf).

[Clint Barton]

I don't want to jump the gun, but it sounds like this is where your family is headed. I'm a big fan of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. See attached.

You mean, your sig?:confused:

[Matt Algren]

You mean, your sig?:confused:Fixed it. Check the link.

[Clint Barton]

Ok. I'm dumb. I can't find a link.:confused:

EDIT: Ok. Gotcha!

[Matt Algren]

http://www.elisabethkublerross.com/docs/Changing_the_Way_Our_Culture_Mourns.pdf

http://www.missfoundation.org/index.html

[Clint Barton]

Thanks, Necktie. Seriously.

[Ray R.]

Stay strong, brother. Thoughts and best wishes coming your way from D.C.

Necktie - very classy, man. Good on you.

[Clint Barton]

Update for those interested:

Erica was moved late last night to Memorial Regional/Joe DiMaggio CF Clinic near Ft. Lauderdale where she'll receive better care with some of the best specialists re: CF around the states.

Temps are constantly up around 103 while respiration is better as is her heart rate which is down to around 120/min.

Thanks for the prayers and kind thoughts.

I found a great cheesesteak here in Ft. Lauderdale. Bought a bunch of them for my brother and sister in law and their other daughter.

[Fenris]

So she's doing a little better? Excellent.

I can't imagine how stressful this must be for you, Clint. (For all of you, come to think of it.) Please take care of yourself.

[Clint Barton]

It's a stressful time, yet I'm up for it I think...but, yes...she's stable right now...still very sick and such...thanks for prayers and thoughts.

[Paradox]

Glad things seem to be on the upswing, Clint. I'll keep her in my thoughts.

[Perry Holley]

More good vibes heading your way, Clint.

[Clint Barton]

Not much has changed. Erica is still experiencing high fever which will not go down. Heart rate is still around 115 bpm and doctors are mystified as to "why". Her spirit is better since they moved her to the new hospital though. Her percussive treatments are at least having the effect of loosening up her lungs somewhat as she's able to breathe a bit better. We'll know more today after a couple of tests and a CT scan.

[Clint Barton]

Fever is down to 100.3 average. Docs beginning to think they've defeated the secondary infections. Breathing, while still very labored from congestion has improved as oxygen levels are around 90 and remaining constant. Big trouble is now with liver enzymes being elevated and panreatic function...which are two major issues with CF patients all the time. She's not "out of the woods", but it's looking much better at this particular time. Heart rate is still too high though, but there appears to be no coronary damage as of yet. This, as I am learning, is a very complicated and insidious disease. One young patient I saw the other day from outside his room passed away earlier this morning...at the age of 8.:( Prayers for his family and please continue to remember Erica at this time as well.

Thanks for everything and everyone for continuing to remember this vibrant young lady who means so much to our family!

[Agent Helix]

I hope she pulls through.

[Clint Barton]

Just got a telephone from my brother and Erica is improving! She's eating well and her liver enzymes are dropping. Her temperature is dropping now, althought it remains around 100....... and her sugar levels are normal and have remained so for the past two days. AT this point though she is going to have to have gall bladder surgery to have it removed as it's apparently quit functioning. That surgery will take place after she gains some weight and iis definitely not "urgent" at this time anyway. CF patients are normally thin, but Erica had lost 20 pounds on a 5'10" frame. Her "normal" weight is around 105, so she's very frail right now. Lastly, her O2 concentration is good at around 94% and she's continuing to breathe without the use of (obviously) a respirator and/or direct 02.

I just want to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, positive notions as this little soldier has made quite an impression on so many people. It's quite miraculous in her turnaround this time.

She probably won't get to return to her job as a city planner, but that's ok.

She's got work to do on Earth yet and we're all thankful for that.

Personally, I will be doing a CF walk for the 17th straight year and doing what I can to combat this incidious disease.

Thanks again!

[Perry Holley]

Glad to hear her condition is improving!

[Matt Algren]

Good news indeed!

[Cam63]

She sounds like a tough bugger, Clint.

I wish her well.