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My Brother Died of the Flu at Age 49

Posted on 03/06/2011 7:06:34 AM PST by big black dog

How can this happen in 2011? I was just talking with him 3 weeks ago about possibly going bass fishing with him in Mexico this Spring.

Seems he checked into the hospital about a week ago complaining of respiratory troubles after contracting the flu. They released him shortly after. He posted on his Facebook page at that time about how it sucks being sick, and how good it would be just to walk 20 feet without gasping for breath.

2 days later, hie son and ex-wife found him dead in bed.

I am stunned. He was in good health. No one that age is supposed to die of the flu.


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: flu; influenza
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To: big black dog

I am so sorry to hear about your brother’s death. We had it last month, it lasted for almost 3 wks., then another couple of weeks just so weak we could hardly stand up.

It IS worse this winter, and I hadn’t had a case of the flu in over 30 years. - I AM convinced that washing the hands right after being out in public and before eating helps. I’d gotten sort of lax about that.

You’re right; with modern medicine, we do have it better than in generations past. My mother’s brother died of spinal meningitis early in the last century at age 5. (The irony of it is that they lived in a cabin just a few miles outside of town. There was no hospital or doctor for many miles around. My grandfather rode a mule all day to get to a doctor to come to the child. - Today, there’s a hospital in the little town; and a 911 call would bring an ambulance within 15 mins. and he’d have been at the hospital certainly within 30 mins.) So sad.

These old bones of ours have to go through a lot in this life.


81 posted on 03/06/2011 9:13:03 AM PST by Twinkie ( PEACE)
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To: Froggie

Some of us know from past experience that they WILL end up with a bacterial infection after the viral infection. My doctor knows this about me and treats me accordingly. He always gives me antibiotics.


82 posted on 03/06/2011 9:30:45 AM PST by Ditter
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To: big black dog

So sorry to hear this. Praying for your family.


83 posted on 03/06/2011 9:33:59 AM PST by JSDude1 (December 18, 2010 the Day the radical homosexual left declared WAR on the US Military.)
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To: big black dog

My condolences, Big Black Dog. Losses like these are especially hard to take because they happen so suddenly.

I’m so sorry.


84 posted on 03/06/2011 10:11:52 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (A communist is just a liberal in a hurry)
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To: big black dog

I’m so sorry for your loss. My only brother died in ‘95 at the age of 51, from a massive heart attack.


85 posted on 03/06/2011 10:12:54 AM PST by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
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To: Old Retired Army Guy

I will second that, what you said. 15 years ago I took a flu shot for the first time ever and promptly became sicker than I’ve ever been in my life. Took 2 months to get over it and I swore to never take another flu shot.

Unfortunately I succumbed to the PC line “get your annual flu shot” 5 years ago, my company was putting pressure on us to do it. I thought “well, that was probably a fluke last time, I’ll try it again”, took the shot and again got deathly ill for almost 2 months. Only this time it destroyed the part of my pancreas that produces insulin, and so now I have to live with that.

I just cringe when I hear anyone say “don’t worry, it’s a ‘killed’ form of the virus, it can’t hurt you” Thing is, a virus isn’t alive to begin with so how do you kill it? You can’t, all they do is use a ‘deactivated’ form of it, except, what if it isn’t really deactivated?


86 posted on 03/06/2011 10:13:46 AM PST by Newtoidaho (Liberals are drooling buffoons backed by satanic goons.)
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To: Froggie
“Viral pneumonia from Influenza are not responsive to antibiotics.”

And seat belts are ineffective in a vehicle fire. So what's your point? Obviously the antibiotics are used for bacterial pneumonia.

87 posted on 03/06/2011 10:33:08 AM PST by Justa
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To: big black dog

Agreed no one at that age is suppose to die of the flu. Goodness! So sorry for your loss.


88 posted on 03/06/2011 10:39:03 AM PST by amom (Proud Blue Star Mom of a recently redeployed US Army Tanker)
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To: Trueblackman
Pneumonia nearly killed me a week ago and I was dead for 30 minutes, but they brought me back and sorry for your loss, but I understand.

Oh my! I'm very glad to see you are still amongst us.

89 posted on 03/06/2011 10:41:48 AM PST by amom (Proud Blue Star Mom of a recently redeployed US Army Tanker)
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To: big black dog

I am sorry for your loss BBD. Prayers for yo and your family.


90 posted on 03/06/2011 11:16:45 AM PST by feedback doctor (The Constitution!)
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To: big black dog

I am so sorry for the loss of your brothers. Prayers for him and his entire family. May the Lord comfort you during this stressful time and surround you with love.


91 posted on 03/06/2011 11:29:24 AM PST by momtothree
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To: big black dog

I’m very sorry to hear of the loss of your brother!

It seems there are kinds of flu viruses, like the ones of the last couple of years, that are harder on the young and strong.


92 posted on 03/06/2011 11:49:56 AM PST by Abigail Adams
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To: Old Retired Army Guy

The only time my husband got sick enough to take to bed was when he got a flu shot at work. I have never had one and never will based on family experiences...


93 posted on 03/06/2011 12:16:07 PM PST by goat granny
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To: Twinkie
"I AM convinced that washing the hands right after being out in public and before eating helps. I’d gotten sort of lax about that."

I try to shop in stores that provide hand wipes to clean shopping cart handles and hands as we start throught the place...

94 posted on 03/06/2011 12:41:00 PM PST by Dust in the Wind (U S Troops Rock)
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To: republicangel

In the late 70’s, a co-worker went home with the flu. When he didn’t show up for work the following day, his friend went to check on him. He had died in his recliner, sitting half-reclined. His lungs had filled with fluid and he suffocated.
Prayers for Big Black Dog, his family, and all who loved the deceased. May God ease your suffering. I’m sure your brother will find a place reserved in Heaven at our Father’s side.


95 posted on 03/06/2011 12:44:15 PM PST by TStro
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To: big black dog

Prayers of comfort for your terrible loss.


96 posted on 03/06/2011 12:57:07 PM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: big black dog

I am sorry for your loss and know exactly how you are feeling. Three years ago, at age 44, my brother entered the hospital with breathing difficulties and 17 hours later he was dead. He had been sick with flu like symptoms and a cough and pain in his back between his shoulders. Doctors thought the pain may have been from an aneurysm and treated him for such. They were wrong. He coded a dozen times before he died. The autopsy revealed he died from a pulmonary embolism brought about by a blood disorder (Polycythemia Vera) that no one knew he had. Investigate further; it may not have been the flu. There is nothing that anyone can say or do right now to ease your grief but I can tell you from personal experience, it gets easier with the passage of time. Time heals all wounds, even this one.


97 posted on 03/06/2011 1:35:44 PM PST by 762X51
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To: Dust in the Wind

I may start cleaning off the cart handles, too. They’ve found that the handles have poop bacteria (e.coli) on them. (Researchers have found . . )


98 posted on 03/06/2011 5:40:45 PM PST by Twinkie ( PEACE)
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To: Twinkie

It’s always something, ugg.


99 posted on 03/06/2011 6:30:08 PM PST by Dust in the Wind (U S Troops Rock)
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To: big black dog
Prayers up for you. My condolonces.
100 posted on 03/06/2011 8:47:06 PM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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