Thank you for the reception on  this forum.

I found the Light a Candle web site through the Compassionate Friends Organization.
Another great group.
Your web site has given me place of peace to share with my friends and relatives.


My story is simple.
My daughter was an epileptic for most of her life.
We, My Wife and I, spent her last 38 years trying to find a remedy for her Epilepsy. This included some of the best Physicians,  Hospitals  and medical trials and experimental drugs available to us. 

On October 14, 2008 she went to bed , said her prayers, and goodnights. On the morning of October 15th, she was dead. A full autopsy could not find a cause of death. It has been ruled “Sudden Unexpected Death  from Epilepsy”. SUDEP.

SUDEP is a term that we had never heard before.

I started to light candles for my Daughter, Donna. But I began to research SUDEP.  There is, my guess, nearly 3,000 deaths a year called SUDEP, in the United States.  This number is probably understated, its hard for Medical ME’s to say “I don’t know”.

I have gone on too long.

I invite all of you, especially those who have loved ones afflicted with Epilepsy to join Me and my family and light a candle for those who have passed to a better place from the effects of seizure related  illnesses.

Thank You again  .

Dear Andy . . .
I am happy that you have returned to our forum
and are able to share some of your story.
I am so sorry for the recent loss of your dear daughter.
It seems even more cruel when it is unexpected.
This happened to me many years ago with my infant son . . .
there was no real explanation . . .
I have heard of SUDEP.
I think, but am not sure that it was mentioned a few weeks ago
when a celebrity's son died . . .
No matter the cause,
the loss of a child leaves a deep heartache in those left behind.
You have had the beautiful gift of her for those 38 years,
which no one, not even death can take away.
It is hard now as your grief and sorrow are so fresh,
but over time the broken parts in your heart
can become filled with love and tenderness
as you honour her memory and allow joy back into your life.
Please know dear Andy,
that you and your wife are very much in my thoughts and prayers
with much love and compassion . . .
sparrow

everything counts... ♥

Welcome back Andy. Several members of the Forum have lost children and will identify with your pain. I am so sorry that this has happened to you.
 
Please do come back and talk to us some more. I will light a candle for you and your wife and daughter in the group SUDEP
 
Blessings, Jude

Love is the only way

Dear Andy,
 
Welcome to Gratefulness ,my thoughts are with you and your wife right now.
 
I am so sorry to hear your daughter Donna passed away I really am.I am
 
sure this is every family's worst nightmare to lose a child.
 
I will indeeed join you to  light a candle for Donna and  her family.
 
I know you will find this forum a Godsend.
 
Take care,Sandra
 
 

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Dear Andy,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am so very sorry for the loss of your daughter. This loss is especially difficult because it was unexpected and unexplained. My heart goes out to you and your wife!

I will keep you in my prayers and light a candle for you!
Wishing you peace,
With love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

I am so sorry to hear your sad story of how you lost Donna. I will go now and light a candle for her memory. I had never heard of the sudden death syndrome associated with epilepsy before either. I am going to say prayers for  your family too, for peace and comforting. Take care now.

integrity is shown when no one is looking

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.  Our group is here for you.  I will light a candle for you and all who love your daughter.

[image]http://img185.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bcandle3fq9.gif[image]

I have gone on too long.

 
I will let you know that I would never feel anyone talking about a loss of a loved one as going on too long. I feel strongly that people need a safe place to vent their feelings as much as they need to, and I have found this forum to be just such a place. I would pray that ANYONE who visits here and needs to "talk", that they feel comfortable talking as much as they want to.
 
karen

integrity is shown when no one is looking