My little niece is gravely ill

[shrike]

A staph infection. They have her on a respirator and a bypass machine. The situation is very grave. She is three and a half years old. I was hoping those DUers who frequent the religion forum might say a few prayers in her behalf.

And the atheists/agnostics who frequent this forum are also very welcome to send their good thoughts/vibes, implore the universe, etc. She needs all the help she can get.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. I'm so sorry-she's in my thoughts and prayers.

:hug:

[Sequoia]

I'll say a prayer. Hope she gets better, poor little tyke.

[prodigal_green]

2. prayers and thoughts to her and

to you for strength! I'll kick in a word to St. Jude for you too.

on edit: for other Catholics out there, here's the St. Jude prayer (mom used it when my baby brother was born prematurely and with heart trouble. His middle name is, of course, Jude):

Prayer to St. Jude

O most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of hopeless cases, of things almost despaired of. Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone.

Make use, I implore you, of that particular privilege given to you, to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly (state your request) and that I may praise God with you and all the elect forever.

I promise, O blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.

Amen.

[shrike]

3. Thank you n/t

[jhain]

33. My Name is Jude- Judith

Mom had had a miscarriage and was despondent thinking she would never have a baby.
I am the oldest of 7- in less than 9 years.

again- all my thoughts and prayers for your darling baby niece.
-Jude

[hiley]

4. All of my

thoughts of support and hope will go for her to get well.

[applegrove]

5. Sending my vibes.

And they have super antibiotic drugs - I mean they can flood her full of special drugs while she is in hospital. So it is the right place to be.

[lavenderdiva]

6. I will be happy to pray for her...

What is her name? You and your family will also be in my prayers... You can be sure that the Lord is very near to all of you, and is holding each of you very close to Him.

[shrike]

12. Her name is Gabrielle

She is a tow-headed little tyke with curly hair, full of joy. She and her parents live in another state and I'm having these horrifying images of her trussed up with tubes, etc.

[lavenderdiva]

24. Gabrielle, what a beautiful name!

Did you know that her name means, "God's messenger", and "God is my strength"? She sounds like such a beautiful child. It seems that she is very precious to you; you must have a special relationship! The Lord has some wonderful promises for us to hold onto; here is one of my favorites:
Ps. 34:18, 19 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all."

I pray that the Lord delivers Gabrielle and heals her little body completely. I know that He has given His angels charge all around her. Our confidence and hope is in the Lord, and He will never fail us or forsake us. I pray His peace will flow to you and comfort and soothe you.

Please let us know how Gabrielle is doing... In His love... :hug:

[jhain]

35. I have a son - Gabriel

She is most certainly on my mind and in my prayers.


Love, Jude ( again)

[jhain]

7. prayers from me....

please know I am thnking of you all
-Jude

[NC_Nurse]

8. I'm so sorry to hear this!

I'll keep her in my thought and prayers. :hug:

[RT Atlanta]

9. My prayers are with you and your niece and her family

May the good Lord help this little girl through this trying time.

My daughter is 3 1/2 years old and I can truly empathize with them.

Peace!

[Straight Shooter]

10. May the Universe in its wisdom send her strength and healing.

My thoughts are with her, may the light of healing surround her. Amen.

[Ilsa]

11. Right now, I'm sending prayers up and imploring intervention...

I hate hearing that word they are using for her condition. I hope she pulls through it and recovers completely. I'm praying really, really hard.

[peacebird]

13. good thoughts and positive vibes heading in her direction

:hug:

i hate to hear about little ones being so sick. will keep her in my heart, please keep us informed of her progress!

[ashmanonar]

14. she is in all our thoughts.

rest assured.

:grouphug:

[Pharaoh]

15. My Peace to your little niece

I have a couple grandkids that age,

She will prevail! She is sweet and strong.:hug:

[Az]

16. Nothing but the best hopes

Medical technology can do wonders but the body still can do more. I truly hope both working together can save your niece.

[Zhade]

17. You have every good thought I can muster.

I don't think it even matters if it's an atheist like me or a fundamentalist preacher, as long as the thoughts are there. To me, "prayer" is just another word for "best wishes".

I hope everything turns out okay for you and her. :hug:

[BrightKnight]

57. My deepest hopes and prayers for her

My nephew was hit by a car on his 6th birthday. He is unstoppable now. Children are very resilient. My deepest hopes and prayers for her recovery.

[silverlib]

18. you got it...

all the prayers, thoughts, vibes - to your niece and her family, including you.

please keep us posted as to her condition.

[Rainbowreflect]

19. I am so sorry.

I pray for her speedy recovery.

[leftynyc]

20. Sending prayers your way

I'm an aunt also - love them like they were my own.

[lancdem]

21. She and her family have my deepest prayers

:hug:

[mourningdove92]

22. I will add her (and you) to my prayers. Please keep us informed.

[papau]

23. Gabrielle will be in my thoughts and prayers tonight.

.....

[MadisonProgressive]

25. I'm an agnostic

But that also gives me an out to pray when needed, so I will say a prayer as soon as I post enter. God bless her and save her.

[EFerrari]

26. Dear shrike, we've got her. Thank you for the opportunity. n/t

[shrike]

27. Thank you, everyone

She is now on a new breathing machine. The doctors say her heart is very strong, which is good news. She is still in grave condition, but survived a flight to a top children's hospital, which bodes well. She has fought hard and hopefully will continue to fight.

Thank you again. Your prayers mean a lot to her family.

[lavenderdiva]

52. Thanks Shrike for the update... please keep us posted n/t

[Old and In the Way]

28. My very best wishes and hopes for her complete recovery.

These kind of stories just break my heart. This must be a most difficult time for your family and her parents.

[stray cat]

29. Your niece and her family are in my prayers

Please keep us posted and good luck.

[Richardo]

30. Sending prayers her way...

...and peace and strength to you and your family. :hug:

[CoffeeCat]

31. Our family will pray, send positive karma and loads of light...

to Gabrielle!

I have a 3-and-a-half year old and a 5 year old--and I'm hoping their little spirits can send some good stuff Gabrielle's way...

Please keep us posted.

I'm so sorry about your niece.

[amazona]

32. my prayers go out for her

Staph is a scary one. I hope she is feeling much better soon.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[indigobusiness]

34. Om Mani Padme Hum

[Stew225]

36. My prayers are with you little niece.

May she continue to heal and grow stronger in the light.

[lala_rawraw]

37. Sending

All my wishes for a fast and easy recovery. Please keep us posted.

[PsychoDad]

38. Our family will remember her and her family

In our prayers.

In the name of God, the most mercyful and most generous.
May God make it easy upon this little one and her family. May they know they are not alone in this, that they and their daughter are surounded by a network of friends and love.

[geniph]

39. Staph infections can be very scary

I send my best wishes for a quick and complete recovery.

[Misunderestimator]

40. Sending lots of good energy her way...

:hug:

[blondeatlast]

41. My best from here, and I'll say a prayer from there. nt

[ananda]

43. hope

No matter what happens God/dess is watching over her.

Also, I wonder.. she might not remember it or have the words to describe it, but she might well be having a near death or out of body experience.

The young are so close to God.

Sue

[blondeatlast]

44. I was in a coma at age 7 from undiagnosed diabetes.

I do remember a spiritual experience, and seeing my recently deceased grandfather tell me I was too young.

The entire experience sounds quite unbelievable, but I know it happened.

Even if she is leaving this plane, I believe the spirit of a child lives on.

Vaya con Dios.

[meti57b]

42. May G-d bless her and heal her.

[GOPBasher]

45. Oh My God.. I'll pray for her.

I have a 3 1/2 yr. old daughter. I can't even imagine. So sorry to hear that, and I'll be praying for her.

[babsbunny]

46. Prayers

going up for your little niece! God hears our prayers!O8)

[mzmolly]

47. Praying for your neice now.

Please keep us posted.

[GraysonDave]

48. Prayer said

Praying for her and her family and her nurses and doctors.

[CottonBear]

49. My prayers and thoughts are with your niece.

She has the strength of youth on her side.

[CoffeeCat]

50. I wanted to let you know that my...

two little girls and I sent loads of fun, energizing and comforting thoughts to Gabrielle tonight.

My 3 and 5 year old girls and I held hand and we thought of all kinds of nice things we could send her. Some of those things included: White sparkles with pink light around them, kitties, a Hungry Hippo game, a possum stuffed animal and a Bubble Gum Lip Smacker.

My 5 year old said that Gabrielle has angels looking after her--named Cathy, Marlys and Caphis(?). We asked the angels to look over Gabrielle and to help her to get well.

:)

[shrike]

64. What precious little ones you have

I will tell Gabrielle's parents about the angels. I'm sure that will bring tremendous comfort to them.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

51. How awful, prayers on the way

:-(

both for her and for you.

[JI7]

53. my thoughts are with you

i hope she gets through this.

[porkrind]

54. I'm an athiest, but my best wishes go out to your little one.

Poor little peanut, I'd be sick for her if I could. :grouphug:

BTW, how does a staph infection become this threatening?

[shrike]

61. Staph is a bacteria -- also an update

I'm not a medical professional, but here's how I understand it:

Staph bacteria has grown increasingly resistant to antibiotics in recent years because, some say, antibiotics are overprescribed and overused (that's a whole other thread.)

Staph infections are extremely dangerous for the elderly and very young because their immune systems are not up to par. If they are resistant to treatment they can move very quickly through the body. Fortunately, (!) the staph seems to have collected in my niece's lungs but no other major organ. Heart and kidney failure are what kill the patient, I am told.

They've done a bacteria culture to see just what antibiotics this infection is sensitive to. When the results come back, they'll be better able to refine her treatment.

[satya]

55. Sending hugs to Gabrielle and her family.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[Dcitizen]

56. Pray sent to Medjugorje and Conyers/GA for Garbrielle

http://www.medjugorje.hr/ulazakenstipe.htm
http://www.ourlovingmother.org/index_menubar.htm

May God blesses little girl.

[Paradise]

58. There's a whole lot of love out here for you, Gabrielle!

Please tell those at her bedside to take turns singing happy little songs to her.
Your precious Gabrielle is in my thoughts and prayers. :grouphug: :hug:

[bonito]

59. I can tell you how I came through this

I am compelled to write because I was in a similar situation. I had been on and off a ventilator as well. I had the same type of infection for almost a year and the doctors told us that my prognosis was extremely grave. In fact, there were several times that my husband was called to the hospital because I wasn't expected to pull through. Because I had four children and everything to live for, my husband decided that desperate sitations called for desperate solutions. He searched the internet for anything he could find that would clear this type of infection. What he found was collodial silver. There were studies being done showing that it was used successfully in treating the infection on the skin. Well my husband realized that we had nothing to lose, so he did try it. Needless to say, 3 years later, I am still here an doing well.

I do not want to impose this on you, but after reading your note, my husband and I felt we would be turning our backs on you if we didn't reply. There is a certain way to use it and a certain type to use. In order not to impose on you, I will not go into it any further in this post. If you decide you would like know about it, please email me.

[Old Mouse]

60. My thoughts and hopes

are with you as well.

Love -

[LiberalinNC]

62. So sad to hear of a little one ill...

Of course I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers!

[LibertyLover]

63. Prayers and reiki for your niece

I will send prayers and reiki to your niece with the hopes that she will be up and about quickly.

[shrike]

65. Sadly, my niece has taken a turn for the worse

I've delayed posting because I've been waiting for good news. She remains stable enough that there is still hope, though.

I wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. The responses have confirmed what I've always thought anyway -- good people are good people regardless of their belief system.

[Bunny]

66. Oh gosh. I'm sorry that things are looking worse.

I'll be sending some prayers her way. :hug:

[lavenderdiva]

67. I'm so sorry to hear this news, Shrike...

I will certainly be keeping Gabrielle, her family, and you in my prayers. God is a God of miracles... O8)

[onager]

68. More non-believer good wishes.

As someone posted upthread, I would take her place if I could. Hearing about innocent children suffering just breaks my (atheist) heart.

On the bright side, children are incredibly strong and resilient. Sometimes sickness seems to be at its worst just before it "breaks."
So try to be cheerful, though I'm sure you don't feel that way.

Oh, and I've notified my Mom about Gabrielle. She works in a Baptist pre-school. Between her and a roomful of 4 and 5 yr olds, that should certainly cover my Prayer Deficit. ;)

[shrike]

71. Thank you n/t

[lavenderdiva]

69. Shrike, how is Gabrielle doing? any updates... please. n/t

[lavenderdiva]

70. I was just thinking about your niece and wondering how she is doing? n/t

[shrike]

72. Gabrielle is doing much better. And holding her own.

Her parents just met another little girl who was in a similar condition about a year or so ago, and now is back to good health. However, it's going to be a very long road. Their first goal is to get her to a conventional respirator (she's on a very sophisticated breathing machine right now.) If they can get her blood oxygen levels to stabilize over a period of time, they can take this first step.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes. Like I've always said, kind people are kind people whether they believe in God or not.

[Dookus]

73. I'm so glad to hear this....

I keep checking the thread to see how she's doing. I'm glad there's some light at the end of this tunnel.

[trotsky]

74. Wonderful news to hear.

We are very fortunate to live in an age where the human quest for knowledge has given us such amazing technology. Best wishes to your niece and her family!

[onager]

75. Thanks for the update!

I've been checking in, too. It's great to hear this news!

Best wishes to the little sweetie for a speedy recovery.

[Maat]

77. Good news!

She is in my prayers.

[lavenderdiva]

78. Thanks for the update..

We'll keep Gabrielle in our prayers!

[PsychoDad]

79. Hamdulilah !

Great news. We should continue to remember her and her family in our du'a, prayers, meditation and thoughts.

Hamdulilah!

[Dorian Gray]

76. done...

My heart goes out to you, your family, and especially your niece. And I will pray for your niece.

Much love to you and your family in these trying times.