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."
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
O Lord Almighty, the Healer of our souls and bodies, You Who put down and raise up, Who chastise and heal also; do You now, in Your great mercy, visit our sister Regina, who is sick. Stretch forth Your hand that is full of healing and health, and get her up from her bed, and cure her of her illness. Put away from her the spirit of disease and of every malady, pain and fever to which she is bound; and if she has sins and transgressions, grant to her remission and forgiveness, in that You love mankind; yea, Lord my God, pity Your creation, through the compassions of Your Only-Begotten Son, together with Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, with Whom You are blessed, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord have mercy.
O Lord our God, Who by word alone did heal all diseases, Who did cure the kinswoman of Peter, You Who chastise with pity and heal according to Your goodness; Who are able to put aside every malady and infirmity, do You Yourself, the same Lord, grant aid to this Your servant Regina and cure her of every sickness of which she is grieved; lift her up from her bed of pain, and send down upon her Your great mercy, and if it be Your Will, give to her health and a complete recovery; for You are the Physician of our souls and bodies, and to You do we send up Glory: to Father, and to Son, and to Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Done.
God bless.
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day,
be at my side
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.
God, may you please bring Regina back to health and comfort her and those who love her.
Amen.
Prayers up...
Lord Jesus, be with this family as they struggle during this crises. Fill them with the comfort of your love and trust in You. May Regina return to full health according to your will. Amen
Praying.
Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness.
.
O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden.
.
Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your child, Regina, to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen
Joining my prayers with others for this beautiful child.
Prayers going up!
**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.”**
Wonderful line for a secular newspaper!!!!!
Yes, quite impressive. I grew up in Altoona, and we referred to the Altoona Mirror newspaper as “The Rearview Mirror.”
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May The Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. |
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Catholic Prayer Ping Please address all prayers to Dr. Brian Kopp; If you would like to be added to the Catholic Prayer Ping List, please FReepmail me.
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Prayers for the entire family as they deal with Regina’s sickness. Let us know if they find out what is causing the rapid breathing, etc.
The swine H1N1 pandemic has picked up several mutations that have caused a spike in mortality rates in Mexico and South America recently, and that strain has also been identified as circulating in PA since late February.
Don't forget: [CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Fatima and the 2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic
Gosh they sound so familiar.I will pray for Regina.God bless,Fatima
Prayers for the family.
Prayers up.
Prayers up. I will pray today no matter what. I am trying to go to adoration today. I will ask others too. Love in Jesus!!
Notre père, qui êtes aux cieux!
Que votre nom soit sanctificié. Que votre règne vienne.
Que votre volonté soit faite, sur la terre comme au ciel.
Donnez-nous aujourd'hui notre poindre ce jour.
Pardonnez-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons aussi a ceux, qui nous ont offensés,
et ne nous soumetez pas à la tentation, mais délivrez-nous du mal.
Car c'est à toi qu'appartiènne, le régne, la puissance et la gloire, pour les siècles des siècles.
Amen.
Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâces,
le Seigneur est avec vous, vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes,
et Jésus le fruit de vos entrailles est béni.
Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, priez pour nous pauvres pécheurs,
maintenant, et à l'heure de notre mort. Ainsi-soit-il.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Prayer bump
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