I have not met any of you, but I am Judith Anne's daughter, Annie- I knew of some of you from the many times she talked with me about discussions here, friends, and some very feisty debates~ I KNOW she would want me to let you guys know whats happened in the past few days-
The morning after Christmas, mom my had a pretty bad headache. She's had issues with allergies off and on, so nothing was thought of it and she decided to lay down and take a nap. She woke about an hour later with out the use of the left side of her body- I called the ambulance and she was brought to the E.R.
Information has been back and forth during the past 36 hours on exactly what her condition was. However, at the last consult with her doctor, things have worsened to an extent that there is no longer a "getting better." Her first stroke affected the right middle portion of her brain, as well as caused her to have a heart attack. Both arteries in her neck are completely blocked. The first CT (when she arrived at the hosp.) compared to the CT done today showed considerable expansion of damage along with an additional stroke affecting the left side of her brain. Her heart is only working at about 20%. There are additional factors that is simply too much to get into now, but needless to say we are going to follow her standing wishes in the request of no outstanding measures to keep her body alive as well as a DNR. At this point, there is no way to stop the progression of damage, and she is not waking nor responding in any fashion to outside stimuli. We're hoping for a few days more just so family can come down and have their chance to say goodbyes~ Prayers are desperately appreciated! in all honesty, at this point I don't know what to do....Gods hand is over us, and He IS with us! A priest was able to go in yesterday afternoon to offer the anointing of the sick as well as administer last rights (again, something she felt strongly about if there were ever a chance she would be in a possible life threatening situation)~
I hate to be passing on such sad news, but I knew she would want you guys to know~
Have thought of JA all day with a heavy heart.
I am cautiously glad to see no update, as in no news is good news sometimes.
Still sending prayers for her and for you.
These videos were posted here often.
I hope they bring you some comfort.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgYguIi7fMI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TEL_7TS5FE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUdYeYy3NQA
Play these for you. You and your Mom are in my prayers.
Saying healing prayers for your mom, Judith Ann..May the Lord give you all wisdom, strength and comfort ..I am so very sorry, Chantillie.
Chantille, thank you so much for letting us know about Judith Anne. She is such a great person. I, like many, am in tears upon reading this, but I know that your mom was strong in her faith and that God will watch over her and keep her safe.
While her body remains, Judith Anne’s soul has joined her husband, my dad, in Heaven~ It is a romantic irony that she had her stroke and heart attack on their anniversary.
After a third scan as well as an EEG (second for the EEG), it confirmed that the strokes continue and she is no longer with us. We were finally able to unreservedly yield to her standing wishes and stop the extra measures we continued to permit until confirmation was affirmed as to her true status. Now we wait for final closure in the passing of her body. It was a deep blessing and comfort for me, personally, that I was able to sit beside her and share the Rosary with her one last time.
Again, allow me to say how overwhelmingly appreciative I am to ALL of you! The prayers, encouragement, stories you’ve shared, links, support, as well as those that have essentially safe-guarded this thread! I had the chance to show this to my brother late last night and he, who never tears up, had need of tissues! You each have hugged our hearts! Know that we send hugs to yours as well!
Prayers for your Mom and for you.
You have my sympathy and my prayers. I am so sorry for your loss.
Oh dear. Prayers and tears going up for your mom...
Can you post or FReepmail a link to an obituary?
Chantillie,
I just attended Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family with my wife and children. I offered the Mass for your mom and my son and our families. I actually asked Judith Anne to give him a warm greeting and bask together in the forever-joy that is theirs and to pray for us!
Prayers of Comfort and Peace and Deepest Condolences to you and all the family, both her family at home and here at FR, her other home.
I remember meeting her here many years ago on the Nascar threads. She always said she was going to jinx Flipper aka Carl Edwards if she hung out on the thread for the races... and I remember the debates that went on and on.. OH do I.
I’m pinging out the FR at Nascar crew to share the sad news.
Hang in there.
Please keep us updated. From personal experience I, and many other FReepers know, Prayers are answered!
Prayers up. I have chatted with your mother at times.
Dear Lord let your servant Judith Anne live long enough to receive her final visit from her family then take her into your arms for forever. Amen.
Annie,
you and your mom are in my prayers. She was one of my favorite people here, and it was always a pleasure for me to hear from her. I’d been praying for her, and will continue to pray for the repose of her soul. Thank you for sharing this with us. You have my most sincere condolences.
Dave
FR is a blessed place, with all those Freepers up there praying for us.
May the Lord hold Judith Anne in the palm of His hand, and give your family comfort.
Amen.
5.56mm
I’m so sorry for your loss. May God bring you comfort and peace.
Dear Chantillie and family of Judith Anne,
We are grateful for the many years of companionship shared here by so knowledgeable a mind and generous a heart as your mother’s. So much did I respect her opinion, that I kept her posts bookmarked, and shall retain that bookmark in its place for as long as there is a Free Republic.
Chantillie... you, your mother, and your family are in my deepest thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing with us, and for including us, in the watch over your mother during such a profoundly sad time in your lives. God bless and keep you all.
“Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, what God has in store for those who love Him.”
I ache in looking over the posts, realizing how my words were misunderstood, and as such caused confusion-
In the update I had said that her body remains with us, but her soul has gone to heaven-
Her body continues to breath, however the CT and EEG have confirmed the encompassing damage. At present, the only portion functioning is the brain stem (which controls the basic life functions of breathing, heart beating)- we remain by the side of her bed, and will stay until the last breath is finished.
How does a person say sorry for a misunderstanding such as this? lack of sleep, lack of focus, the desire to keep friends informed and failing to convey a message the way intended - i dearly apologize!