Asking for prayers...

[jeannierides]

I have a very good friend on the Weight Watcher boards that has become very ill. Here is what her son posted today:

"Dear circle.
My mom Merryn is in the intensive care unit in critical condition. She has what is known as "T.T.P." a rare virus which affects the blood. She loves you guys so dearly I have created a members name to post a message here, I am her son., Please, please pray for her. She needs your loving and healing energy now. Her condition is not great, but she has survived the night and responded to her first treatment on a blood purifying machine at 2:00 AM. Her entire system is weak and compromised, kidneys not working and a virus which attacks the blood, i don't know the details of the illness but was in the hospital with her all night. I am the monk son, she is surrounded by her family and her california son and daughter-in-law and grandchild Ori are flying in later today. I don't know any of your screen names except pineridgepat.
thank you, i truely hope your healing energy will turn the tide for her. I am in your debt.
Ed Glassing"

I have only known Merryn through the WW boards, but all of us have come to love her. I know I can count on all of you to send healing thoughts and prayers her way. She lives in Upstate New York.

[sbctwin]

My prayers for you and your friend...

[Melody]

My prayers are with your friend and her family.

Mel

[LBTC]

Butterflies of healing are on their way to her bedside and her family's hearts....and yours too.

Hugs,
~T~

[Geonz]

....from here, too...

[Popoki_Nui]

Ditto. Warm hugs, and healing thoughts and prayers from Canada.

~Sherry and family.

[margo49]

I'll do my bit from here!

Thanks for sharing this btw.
I think lots of us are in a position to figuratively speaking grate another carrot into the salad as we vegetarians used to say of unexpected guests

[jeannierides]

Thanks, everyone. I just spoke with my friend's son (who is a Monk btw), and he is just blown away with the concern and the prayers. They have hit a *bump* and it is imperative that they get her kidneys working. The dialysis machine in the hospital where she is now is too big, and if they try to use it, could kill her. There are smaller ones at two other hospitals about 1.5 hrs away. There are risks to transporting her, but the benefits far outweigh the risks.

[Brandi]

My prayers for a speedy recovery from this heading their way right now!

[spokewench]

ED:

Sorry about your mom.:( I'm sending healing wishes and strong prayers that your Mom recovers from her illness!

[RoadRaven]

When I light a candle tonight, I will include Merryn in my thoughts Jeannie.

[jeannierides]

thank you all.

She is being transported now. They are uncertain if she is strong enough to make the 20 minute helicopter ride.

[bikerchick68]

my thoughts are with her, her family and all her friends as well...

[IFjane]

Jeannie - I just saw this thread! I am so sorry - please send my healing thoughts to your friend! Keep us posted - I know we are all hoping for the best. -jane

[East Hill]

We all hope she made it through the helicopter ride, bless her.

East Hill

[Bikingmomof3]

I am just now reading this thread an sending my prayers her way.

[jeannierides]

thanks, gals. no news is good news, right?

[emily_in_nc]

I'm thinking of your friend...I pray she makes it through this crisis.

Emily

[jeannierides]

Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts. My friend has made it through the night. She is in Valhalla Medical Center in upstate (?) NY. She has severe edema (over 100 lbs of fluid in her body) and her heart is weakening. She is on constant dialysis. But she is alive, and where there is life, there is hope.
I am humbled by the response of women all over the world on both this forum and the WW boards.
Thank you.

[jeannierides]

It is with a heavy heart that I post this. My friend lost her fight this afternoon. Thank you all for your kind prayers and best wishes. Please continue to remember her family during this devastating time.

[Aggie_Ama]

Jeannie- I am so sorry. I will pray for strength for her family tonight. ((hugs))

[LBTC]

I'm so sorry Jeannie What a terrible sadness for all of her friends and family. With tears I'm thinking of them and wishing them peace and love as they move through their (and your) grief.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[mary9761]

I'm very sorry for your loss and the loss of her family. Sending well wishes their way.

[Bikingmomof3]

Jeannie I am very saddened to read this. I shall be keeping you, her friends and family in my prayers.

[ClockworkOrange]

I am truly so very sad for you, at least Merryn's suffering has stopped.

My heart goes out to you and all of her family.

Sally

[Popoki_Nui]

Oh no....how awful. Our condolences to you Jeannie, and to Merryn's family at this devastating time.

~Sherry and family.

[Brandi]

Oh i am sooooo sorry! Such terrible news. It is strange she is the 2nd person in a week that has died from this. I have a friend who has a friend who's brothe just died of that same thing. I send you strength in the time of sorrow!

[bikerchick68]

jeannie... I'm so very saddened to hear of your friend's death. You, and all her friends and family are in my thoughts. I hope that the pain eases in time and your memories of her bring smiles to ease the loss... hugs...

[jeannierides]

I want to thank you all for your prayers. It's hard. It's so very sad. And seems so pointless. We're told we should have our mammograms done, stop smoking, eat right, exercise, keep our weight down... on and on, but nobody tells you that a teeny little thing like strep can kill you.
Merryn was working on a cross stitch when she got sick. It's unfinished, but it's perfect...

"When you come to the edge
of all the light you have known
and are about to step out into darkness
Faith is knowing one of two things
will happen - there will be something to stand on...or you will be taught how to fly."

She was an amazing woman and we are blessed to have been touched by her.

[Raindrop]

Please send my condolences to her family. I just suffered the loss of my brother last month and know first hand how much it helps to know people are praying and thinking of you in times such as these.

And you too, take care of yourself. Death has such a huge ripple effect that often I think we are surprised at the number of people one person's death affects.

This truly is an board full of caring women. I'm thankful to be a member in this community.

[emily_in_nc]

I'm so sorry to read this sad news.

My sympathies and condolences to you and her family.

Emily

[IFjane]

Jeannie - as you know I have been away from the boards until today. I am so sorry to hear Merryn lost her fight. Please know I am thinking of you and her family! {{{{hugs}}}}

[KayTee]

Jeannie, I must've missed this thread. My thoughts and sympathy are with you and your friend's family.

[jeannierides]

Thank you. I've talked with her son. They're having a tough time (naturally). I'm having a harder time of it than I anticipated...

[KayTee]

...and your caring so much says a lot about you. Hang in there.

[Ninabike]

Jennie, Just catching up on posts today. My prayers for your friend, her family and all those touched by her life and now her death.

Nina

[RoadRaven]

Much aroha from New Zealand

[Geonz]

Same here... so sorry to find out.

[crazycanuck]

I'm sorry to hear of your friend's struggle & sudden passing. My thoughts are with her family esp at this time of year.

c

[jeannierides]

Thanks, everyone, from the bottom of my heart. The outpouring of love and prayers on this and the WW board has been unbelievable. What a great group of women!
Merryn's memorial - celebration of life - is today in NY.