Support Andrea's Young Family
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This is Andrea. A vibrant hard working young woman, single mother to 3 beautiful children, finishing up college with a bright future ahead of her.
On April 25th, just over two short months ago, Andrea was experiencing some pain under her arm so her mother Mab took her to the hospital. During that visit the ER Doctor was unable diagnose the cause of the pain, and sent Andrea home with a requisition to have some tests done. With the pain getting worse and Andrea starting to fall ill, Mab stopped at her family doctor who directed them back to the ER. Soon after, Mab learned that Andrea was in code blue and her organs were failing. She was not expected to live more than 24 hours. Shockingly, beautiful and healthy Andrea had Toxic Shock Syndrome and Mab was advised she would soon die.
But Andrea was a fighter. While on life support, they started to treat her for Toxic Shock Syndrome and she didn’t die after 24 hours, in fact, she slowly started to respond to treatment. While in ICU, day by day, week by week Andrea was showing small improvements. She was responding, but as a result of her organs failing for so long she developed dry gangrene in her hands and feet, breasts and on many areas of her skin.
On June 9th, Andrea underwent surgery to amputate her legs just below her knees and to remove her breasts and areas of her skin. Sadly, too extensive an amount of dead tissue had to be removed and Andrea’s body started shut down again. The doctors delivered the news to Mab that damage was so far reaching that there was almost no possibility of Andrea surviving the procedures. Mab and her husband Wayne made the heartbreaking decision to spare Andrea any more pain and suffering. On the morning of June 14th, after Andrea’s children had one final visit to the hospital to say good-bye to their mother, the doctors removed Andrea’s life support and she passed quietly a few hours later.
A celebration of life for Miss Andrea Olivia Gittens was held on Saturday June 23, 2018. She was only 27 years old. She left behind three children, her daughter age 11, and two sons - ages 10 and 6.
An unexpected tragedy that happened so quickly, the children are left with no mother and little means to recover from a devastating loss. There was simply no time to prepare. To help with a financial recovery from loss of income and to aid in the support of new family commitments Mab, Wayne and Andrea’s young family are asking for your financial support. Any amount you could provide will help the family prepare for life’s new challenges without a beloved mother.
On April 25th, just over two short months ago, Andrea was experiencing some pain under her arm so her mother Mab took her to the hospital. During that visit the ER Doctor was unable diagnose the cause of the pain, and sent Andrea home with a requisition to have some tests done. With the pain getting worse and Andrea starting to fall ill, Mab stopped at her family doctor who directed them back to the ER. Soon after, Mab learned that Andrea was in code blue and her organs were failing. She was not expected to live more than 24 hours. Shockingly, beautiful and healthy Andrea had Toxic Shock Syndrome and Mab was advised she would soon die.
But Andrea was a fighter. While on life support, they started to treat her for Toxic Shock Syndrome and she didn’t die after 24 hours, in fact, she slowly started to respond to treatment. While in ICU, day by day, week by week Andrea was showing small improvements. She was responding, but as a result of her organs failing for so long she developed dry gangrene in her hands and feet, breasts and on many areas of her skin.
On June 9th, Andrea underwent surgery to amputate her legs just below her knees and to remove her breasts and areas of her skin. Sadly, too extensive an amount of dead tissue had to be removed and Andrea’s body started shut down again. The doctors delivered the news to Mab that damage was so far reaching that there was almost no possibility of Andrea surviving the procedures. Mab and her husband Wayne made the heartbreaking decision to spare Andrea any more pain and suffering. On the morning of June 14th, after Andrea’s children had one final visit to the hospital to say good-bye to their mother, the doctors removed Andrea’s life support and she passed quietly a few hours later.
A celebration of life for Miss Andrea Olivia Gittens was held on Saturday June 23, 2018. She was only 27 years old. She left behind three children, her daughter age 11, and two sons - ages 10 and 6.
An unexpected tragedy that happened so quickly, the children are left with no mother and little means to recover from a devastating loss. There was simply no time to prepare. To help with a financial recovery from loss of income and to aid in the support of new family commitments Mab, Wayne and Andrea’s young family are asking for your financial support. Any amount you could provide will help the family prepare for life’s new challenges without a beloved mother.
Organizer and beneficiary
Denise Wight MacLean
Organizer
Oshawa, ON
Mab Thompson-Gittens
Beneficiary