Posted on 04/15/2011 6:49:30 AM PDT by Brian Kopp DPM
, The Altoona Mirror
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March 23 was a stormy day with high winds, rain and hail pounding some areas, while a tornado touched down not far away in Westmoreland County.
The tumultuous weather might have been a foreshadowing of events to come for the Sweeney family of Duncansville, whose youngest child, 11-year-old Regina, ended up hospitalized in Pittsburgh that night with a life-threatening illness.
In the three weeks since, Regina's parents, Kathy and Dr. Gregory Sweeney, have remained faithfully upbeat and thankful to God and the community that rallied behind them.
A medical enigma
Regina began breathing rapidly after developing a fever the night before, and her parents took her to the emergency room at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus. Kathy Sweeney said the doctors noticed her daughter's lungs weren't working properly and recommended Regina be taken to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
The storms prevented a medical helicopter transport, so Regina was rushed by ambulance to Pittsburgh. There, the doctors began a battery of tests.
"Every department except Orthopedics has been in here trying to figure it out," she said from Regina's bedside in Pittsburgh. "She's been poked and prodded, and she's just so innocent."
Eventually doctors determined Regina had influenza, which led to a staph infection in her lungs. She's hooked up to a blood bypass machine and a ventilator. She has had surgery to remove blood clots in her left lung, is on blood thinners and at one point had four chest tubes. Regina's mother said she is weak on her left side, so doctors are unsure whether she might have suffered a stroke.
Sweeney said the doctors are keeping Regina sedated to lessen her pain and alleviate any fear she might experience if she were awake.
"When she wakes up, she's so scared. She's so traumatized," Sweeney said. "The lungs are painful, the chest tubes are painful and the tube is down her throat. Unfortunately, I'm getting used to it."
Her mother said Regina has begun to improve this week. She is down to two chest tubes, and there's a chance she might be able to get off the bypass machine.
Part of God's plan
The Sweeneys' seven other children - Bridget, 25, Theresa, 23, Kevin, 21, Brian, 20, James, 18, Brendan, 15, and Aidan, 13 - are trying to make sense of what has happened to their sister and help their parents at the same time. Greg Sweeney had to return to work, but Kathy Sweeney is staying in the Ronald McDonald House in Pittsburgh. The children who still live at home are staying with friends.
She said everyone in the family is trying to see the good in the experience.
Every night, Kathy Sweeney said she recites Regina's four favorite prayers by her bedside: "Angel of God," "Hail Mary," "Act of Contrition" and "Our Father."
"These are simple prayers that are close to her heart," she said.
Family friend Tracey Ingold of Cresson said people everywhere are praying for the Sweeneys.
"They're such a wonderful family, a faith-filled family. What an example they are setting through this whole thing," Ingold said.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Newry, which the family attends, has held a rosary vigil every night since Regina was hospitalized. Local churches and synagogues have also raised money and started prayer chains. A Facebook page, Pray for Regina Sweeney, had close to 2,000 members Wednesday. Kathy Sweeney regularly posts updates there, and supporters post words of encouragement and prayers.
"I'm getting cards and books and letters from all over the world. It is amazing how far-reaching these prayers are going. It's uniting all the faithful," she said.
The Sweeneys stress that what they really need are prayers.
"Prayers are the highest priority right now," Kathy Sweeney said.
Beyond the prayers
Two fundraisers are planned this weekend to help the family with expenses.
Regina's uncle, Larry Sweeney of Latrobe, is planning a spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Living Hope Church in Whitney. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children.
"Prayers are first. We're asking for prayers, but we did set up a little account at one of the banks for Regina," Larry Sweeney said. Checks can be made out to Regina Sweeney and sent in care of Larry Sweeney to 1320 Waverly Drive, Latrobe, PA 15650.
"They're so willing to help others over the years and people are just willing to help and give back," he said.
Another spaghetti dinner is planned by family friend Jeanine Campagna of Hollidaysburg for 5 p.m. Sunday at the Cresson American Legion. Along with dinner, there will be music and a silent auction.
"I wanted it to be a fantastic event for the family. I wanted them to see the love and support and prayers for the family," Campagna said.
Hoping for a miracle
As Holy Week approaches, the Sweeney family hopes a miracle is waiting.
Little miracles have already happened in the weeks since Regina was admitted to Children's Hospital.
"As many times as her heart rate went down or she was bleeding from the tubes, I sent out a text for prayers and they [the doctors] found a solution every time," Kathy Sweeney said.
On Tuesday night, doctors at Children's were considering moving Regina to a different unit because of staffing issues. The family was comfortable with the nurses where she was, though, and didn't want her to be moved.
"My heart sunk and I told them I was not comfortable with it," Kathy Sweeney wrote on the Facebook page. After much discussion, Regina was able to able to stay on the floor.
"I finally cried with relief. The nurses are so awesome. I really did not want to start over. ... Jesus I Trust in You!" Kathy Sweeney wrote.
The Sweeneys are hoping their big miracle will come someday soon.
"I think she brought a lot of people closer to God," Kathy Sweeney said. "The nurses think she's the most blessed patient. That's what I tell her. If I didn't have all this support and prayer, I'd be weeping every moment. I just feel so positive. I want everyone to know her story and pray for her. We can't wait for everybody to meet her. When she's better, we'll have one big party."
Easter in heaven.
The annual Saint Therese of Lisieux Feast Day Mass at the Carmelite Monastery in Loretto a few years ago...the girls shown were the rose bearers....Maddie Bossler, Mary Catharine Prostejovsky, Carley Ingold, Regina Sweeney and Helena Shivas. St. Therese entered heaven at the young age of 24. +JMJ+
Sincerest condolences and prayers for the bereaved. God bless this family in their dark hours.
My prayers for this family.
May God rest her young soul, and bring comfort to those who remain.
Tatt
Almighty Father, please grant healing to Regina and make her whole, give strength to her, and her family and loved ones, and see that they have all they need. I ask this in the Name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
I just came back to this thread for an update and it is certainly not what I was praying for. It is not our place to question the decisions of the Lord, but it is often painful to live with them. The Sweeney Family will remain in my prayers and I will trust with them that little Regina is resting at peace in the arms of Our Lord. May they find comfort in that knowledge.
May Regina’s soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
As a father of an 11-year-old daughter myself, I understand how they feel.
Prayers for this family and Regina.
DUNCANSVILLE - The Sweeney family of Duncansville was hoping for an Easter miracle to heal their little girl, but the miracle may have taken a different form.
Regina Sweeney, 11, passed away Wednesday afternoon in Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh surrounded by her parents, Kathy and Dr. Gregory Sweeney; her seven siblings; friends; and their priest, Monsignor Anthony Little, who prayed together at her bedside.
"It was a nice and prayerful gathering," Little said. "We prayed the rosary together. She didn't need any prayers to get to heaven."
Kathy Sweeney described her youngest child as a spunky, fun-loving tomboy. She said Regina put up a fight during the month-long struggle for her life, which began as a fever and developed into a staph infection of the lungs.
Regina's parents decided to have her taken off life support at 3 p.m., "the hour of mercy" in the Catholic faith.
"There was a significance to the time. There was lots of bleeding in her lungs. They couldn't stop the infection. They were beginning to think it was a new strain of staph that doesn't respond to anything. They were using more and more medication. There wasn't any choice. We just had to pick a time," Kathy said.
"The outcome isn't what we had hoped for, but we do trust there is a reason for it," she said.
A friend who prayed by the bedside, Beth Britz of Hollidaysburg, said, "I was witness to the most beautiful act of love anyone could ever imagine - a mother, father, five brothers and two sisters saying goodbye to their beautiful little sister and daughter and sending her into God's loving arms."
Another family friend at Regina's bedside was Elsie Shivas, whose 11-year-old daughter, Helena, was Regina's best friend.
"Regina's friendship and presence will be sorely missed, but Helena consoles herself with the knowledge that she has an eternal friend in heaven. As we finished our bedtime prayers last night, Helena spontaneously concluded, 'Regina, pray for us,'" Shivas said.
Faith has been a resounding theme through Regina's struggle.
During the four weeks she was hospitalized, thousands of people prayed for her. Nightly vigils were held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Newry, benefit dinners were organized and a Facebook page created in her honor had more than 3,000 members.
"Everyone was certainly asking for a miracle. The primary one was for Regina's healing. The miracle that really was manifested was the connection between people," Little said.
One person on Thursday posted on the "Pray for Regina" page: "It's amazing to me that people are still posting and reaching out days after. ... This site needs to stay open."
Little said he saw an e-mail on Thursday from someone from Thailand who was praying for Regina.
"I was very surprised that her journey has been so uplifting for so many people," Kathy said. "The way we look at it is she is in the glory of God right now and is happy and peaceful."
The significance of her passing away during Holy Week was not lost on Little, who said the family is filled with faith, even during this difficult time.
"There must be a significance, going this whole month with her suffering. We think of Lent as the Passion. The Monsignor, he said she's already had her Easter. She's risen. There has to be a connection. I don't know God's plan, but my faith isn't shaken at all," Kathy said.
Little said he expects the funeral Mass for Regina to be packed.
A viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Sorge Funeral Home in Hollidaysburg, and a funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick's.
"As parents, our goal is to get our children to heaven and we already have one there," Kathy said. "Don't canonize her as a saint. She was a loving, happy girl with five older brothers and two older sisters. She could get in the mix with all of them. She was fun. She enjoyed life. She loved music. She had a deep faith, too, and I'm grateful for that, because she will be received into heaven."
Indeed. Jesus I Trust in You! God bless and keep this family who’s hearts are longing for Christ’s peace.
RIP Regina.
prayers
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