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In Memory of Dina Brown, 12/20/2015
On the morning of December 17, Dina's mother, Marilyn went to our daughter Dina’s bedroom to wake her for school, after she did not respond to her alarm clock. Marilyn found her in cardiac arrest and unresponsive. Neal performed CPR until paramedics arrived, whereupon they restored her heartbeat with an epinephrine injection and transported her to the Boulder County Foothills Hospital emergency room. An ER cardiac surgeon immediately inserted a closed-loop catheter into a vein in Dina’s thigh to begin hypothermia after cardiac arrest (HACA) treatment, where her body temperature was lowered to approximately 91 degrees and she was put into a medically-induced coma for 24 hours. This treatment attempted to avoid or mitigate brain injury due to hypoxia. After Dina was warmed to normal body temperature and taken off medications, she remained in a coma and her pupils remained dilated and unresponsive to light. Dina was evaluated on the morning of December 20 by her doctors, and given a series of neurological and apnea tests. Per protocol, this evaluation takes place approximately 72 hours after the cardiac incident. The doctors found no evidence of cortical or brain stem activity, and she was unable to breathe on her own. Our precious daughter passed away peacefully, in no pain, and surrounded by her family.
So far, neither her cardiologist nor the coroner’s office have any insight as to what caused Dina’s original cardiac arrest.
On the day of her death, a graduation ceremony was held in her room in the ICU where Fairview High School Principal Don Stensrud and Dean of Students Jim Lefebvre awarded Dina her diploma - and she became the first graduate of the Fairview Class of 2016. Don also noted he did not have to waive any credits for Dina to graduate. She had already met all requirements and could have taken the spring semester off. It was very healing and uplifting to us to have over 90 people in attendance at the ceremony - family, friends, and classmates. We would also like to thank the ICU staff and nurses for their patience, since their visitation rule is two visitors at one time.
Throughout this entire ordeal, Dina’s heart, lungs (with ventilator assistance), kidneys, and other internal organs were functioning perfectly. Because the rest of her body was still strong and healthy, Marilyn and Neal made the decision to donate her organs so that others would live and bring a positive outcome to this terrible loss to the family. Dina was kept on life support for an additional 40 hours while the logistics chain associated with organ donation was put into motion by Donor Alliance. While our Christmas was, to put it mildly, less than enjoyable, we are very comforted in knowing that Dina’s incredible gift of life made this the best Christmas possible for a significant number of families.
Marilyn and I are so thankful for all the love, prayers, and support we have received. Thank you all very much for reaching out to us during this unbelievable family tragedy. We are also very thankful to the first-responders, doctors, nurses, and staff at the hospital for doing all they could to save our daughter’s life.
Dina’s memorial service will be held on Monday, January 18, at 1:30 PM. The location is the First United Methodist Church of Boulder, 1421 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO. The funeral arrangements were made through Crist Mortuary in Boulder.
Dina’s page on the Crist Mortuary website to read her obituary and leave thoughts or condolences: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Dina-Brown&lc=2558&pid=177055947&mid=6732104
Again, thank you all so much for the love, prayers, and support.
During this tragic ordeal the medical costs mounted. A donation to Dina's fund would be most helpful and appreciated in support of the family. Your generosity is appreciated.
On the morning of December 17, Dina's mother, Marilyn went to our daughter Dina’s bedroom to wake her for school, after she did not respond to her alarm clock. Marilyn found her in cardiac arrest and unresponsive. Neal performed CPR until paramedics arrived, whereupon they restored her heartbeat with an epinephrine injection and transported her to the Boulder County Foothills Hospital emergency room. An ER cardiac surgeon immediately inserted a closed-loop catheter into a vein in Dina’s thigh to begin hypothermia after cardiac arrest (HACA) treatment, where her body temperature was lowered to approximately 91 degrees and she was put into a medically-induced coma for 24 hours. This treatment attempted to avoid or mitigate brain injury due to hypoxia. After Dina was warmed to normal body temperature and taken off medications, she remained in a coma and her pupils remained dilated and unresponsive to light. Dina was evaluated on the morning of December 20 by her doctors, and given a series of neurological and apnea tests. Per protocol, this evaluation takes place approximately 72 hours after the cardiac incident. The doctors found no evidence of cortical or brain stem activity, and she was unable to breathe on her own. Our precious daughter passed away peacefully, in no pain, and surrounded by her family.
So far, neither her cardiologist nor the coroner’s office have any insight as to what caused Dina’s original cardiac arrest.
On the day of her death, a graduation ceremony was held in her room in the ICU where Fairview High School Principal Don Stensrud and Dean of Students Jim Lefebvre awarded Dina her diploma - and she became the first graduate of the Fairview Class of 2016. Don also noted he did not have to waive any credits for Dina to graduate. She had already met all requirements and could have taken the spring semester off. It was very healing and uplifting to us to have over 90 people in attendance at the ceremony - family, friends, and classmates. We would also like to thank the ICU staff and nurses for their patience, since their visitation rule is two visitors at one time.
Throughout this entire ordeal, Dina’s heart, lungs (with ventilator assistance), kidneys, and other internal organs were functioning perfectly. Because the rest of her body was still strong and healthy, Marilyn and Neal made the decision to donate her organs so that others would live and bring a positive outcome to this terrible loss to the family. Dina was kept on life support for an additional 40 hours while the logistics chain associated with organ donation was put into motion by Donor Alliance. While our Christmas was, to put it mildly, less than enjoyable, we are very comforted in knowing that Dina’s incredible gift of life made this the best Christmas possible for a significant number of families.
Marilyn and I are so thankful for all the love, prayers, and support we have received. Thank you all very much for reaching out to us during this unbelievable family tragedy. We are also very thankful to the first-responders, doctors, nurses, and staff at the hospital for doing all they could to save our daughter’s life.
Dina’s memorial service will be held on Monday, January 18, at 1:30 PM. The location is the First United Methodist Church of Boulder, 1421 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO. The funeral arrangements were made through Crist Mortuary in Boulder.
Dina’s page on the Crist Mortuary website to read her obituary and leave thoughts or condolences: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Dina-Brown&lc=2558&pid=177055947&mid=6732104
Again, thank you all so much for the love, prayers, and support.
During this tragic ordeal the medical costs mounted. A donation to Dina's fund would be most helpful and appreciated in support of the family. Your generosity is appreciated.
Organizer and beneficiary
Neal Fausset
Beneficiary