My younger sister Laura died from NF on February 23, 2001 in Vancouver, Washington. She was in the last term of her graduate degree in Music so she could teach children music in schools. She was a gifted musician and someone who enjoyed children and cats. At the time of her death, she was engaged to be married, and she would have been a godmother within a few days. Our parents still rarely speak of this trauma. Not a day goes by that I do not miss my little sister. She was part of my earliest memories and a constant shadow of mine. Nothing will replace her.

It was a Thursday. On a Saturday over the previous weekend she bumped her right hip...and thought nothing of it. Later, she complained of cold symptoms. It worsened. Tuesday the 21st, I took her into the ER where she began to crash as they were admitting her. Thankfully, SW Washington Medical Center was on the ball. They knew what they were dealing with, and did immediate surgery. Unfortunately, the noxious gases were already causing organ failure. She died approximately 2:15 in the afternoon of Thursday, February 23rd. She was 24.

Since then, I've read every medical article I've been able to get my hands on. I still haven't found a reason WHY she should have died from this freak bacteria. Why her? I am glad that people have survived...had she survived, she would have had to have fingers and limbs amputated and would have been in a vegetative state....so perhaps G-d was merciful... Thank you for the work you do and how you continue to sift the myths from the truth. I am tremendously grateful for your forum.