Help Laurie & her grandaughters with their loss.

It all started when Mandi Browning was 11 years old,. That's when Mandi was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia. That was only the beginning of a long and arduous health journey, because despite being prescribed heart medication for her condition, Mandi soon developed other symptoms and ultimately doctors started to suspect Cystic Fibrosis. At the tender age of 12 years old Mandi was told she would likely only live to be 20.

Over the years Mandi endured more frequent and longer hospitalizations, intubations, and steroids, and at one point it was determined that one of her doctors seriously over-prescribed steroids. As a result of the steroid meds, Mandi's veins were shot, she quickly rose to 350 lbs, and was retaining so much fluid that doctors thought she wouldn't survive. Her heart was at risk of failing. But somehow, Mandi survived.

Fours years ago Mandi started being treated with IVIG when it was discovered she actually also had an autoimmune disease, and was now living with a constant need for oxygen. At the age of 34 Mandi needed to have shunts placed to release the pressure of fluid that could no longer drain correctly around her brain. Mandi's world had become increasingly restrictive due to the oxygen, the weight gain, and the risk of possible viral or bacterial infections. Financially, things were very difficult. Mandi lived at home and could no longer work, or drive. The mounting expenses, hospitalizations and the time her mother, Laurie, needed to take off from work to drive Mandi to all of the medical treatments and interventions, not to mention being a single mother with no outside support, led to considerable stress. But if you followed Mandi on social media would never know. She was a positive force for so many: family, friends, her nieces, who were like daughters to her.

Enter Covid-19. As the spring of 2020 arrived, with it an even more dire threat to Mandi's health. Now it was not only a danger to her health to leave the house during her more challenging periods, but it was a risk to have anyone coming and going in the house as well. Laurie, formerly employed as a Home Inspector, and working many evenings and weekends at a convenience store, applied for training to become Mandi's home health provider, which not only allowed her to minimize the numbers of contacts and health providers on her job or in the home, but to earn her paycheck at Mandi's side. Laurie's granddaughters were now in Laurie's full-time care, staying at their home and attending virtual school. This reduced the covid risk substantially, although I imagine not the anxiety that any of us were experiencing at that time. Just one visit to a hospital, one trip to the grocery store, could mean almost certain disaster for Mandi.

At one point, noting all of the changes Covid-19 wrought - opportunities to be with family she would never have otherwise had, and often didn't have prior - Mandi told her mother “This has been the best year of my life.” That was Mandi. Always seeing the light in the darkness. Finding the good even during this pandemic.

On the morning of July 28, 2021, Laurie awoke to find Mandi in the bathroom trying to put rolls of toilet paper into the toilet....and not wearing her oxygen mask. Though just a day prior the visiting nurse had just said Mandi was doing the best he had seen, it appeared Mandi's “carbons” were out-of-whack, indicating her oxygen intake needed to be adjusted. A person could end up confused, even combative, and the struggle to get oxygen levels adjusted may be compounded by their resistance. Laurie was finally able to calm Mandi and get her oxygen mask back on, encouraging Mandi to rest on the sofa, her head in Laurie's lap, while Laurie stroked her hair and kept her calm. But it was taking longer than usual to see things turn around. Increasing her oxygen wasn't helping. When the paramedics arrived, things started to unravel quickly, so quickly. Mandi likely passed as they were trying to get her loaded into the ambulance. There were CPR efforts, but the paramedics and doctors were unable to help this time. Mandi was gone. But in true Mandi fashion, even in her passing, Mandi left a legacy. Her Project O.R.A.O.K Facebook group still exists; it is my intention that the many bracelets she started find their home. She left behind her journals, and all of her encouraging words and memes, and so, so many people who she has touched through social media. Mandi had a really good role model in her mother, and her grandmother. Two very strong women who, when things got rough, would give you what you needed, including the shirt off their back, to help others. And her beautiful smile. When Mandi left this earth, she left it with a countenance of peacefulness - and a smile on her face.

A lifetime of struggle, medical emergencies, interventions, over. But a gaping hole exists for Laurie and the girls, even for Kion. A simple trip to the grocery store now means Laurie needs to find a sitter or drag the girls out, worrisome as Covid is still rearing it's ugly head and the girls are too young to be vaccinated. With Mandi gone, Laurie also lost her means of employment, and any financial assistance for their bills has dried up. The duties for homeschooling, or even entertaining Kion, not to mention all of the household chores, all fall to Laurie – including finding a new job. But the fact that she cannot work weekends or evenings with two young girls in her sole care is presenting an obstacle. Yet the bills keep rolling in. Laurie is already sifting through a lifetime of Mandi's possessions: cards, journals...photos....everything, in preparations for a painful move. Now that Mandi is gone they no longer need ground floor access, and a two bedroom rental will suffice, so she is hoping to find a more affordable place for them to live.

My hope is to help Laurie and her grandaughters through this emotional and financial struggle and to alleviate their stress. Any help or support would be greatly appreciated. On behalf of Mandi's family, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and donations in Mandi's memory. She will be greatly missed by so many, and never forgotten.

If you'd like to learn more about Mandi's Project, or share some kindness of your own, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/220657471785707/permalink/220662358451885