Monday, September 25, 2006

How Nina Wesson Died

I wrote about Nina Wesson when I first learned about her passing, and this blog still gets hits from people looking her up on search engines. I did a little research on her myself and there is an article posted on Las Madres site about the last days of her life. She died from a severe strep infection. The site does not give statistics on how many people die from the disease, but I imagine it's not very common. The doctor said that her death had been caused by an “invasive Group A streptococcal infection in her lungs, and she had passed the point of no return long before being admitted in the hospital.

I'm saddened by Nina's passing, partially because I knew her, as a mom, and as someone quit a corporate career to raise a family. There are many women like her, go to college, get an advanced degree, CPA, work in one of the big accounting firms (grueling hours, traveling, high stress), join a high tech company. Then to give up an established career, committing their lives to their families. It is by far the hardest job in the world.

Moms cannot afford to be sick. That's probably what Nina had in mind before calling for help. Moms are too important to be absent, every day, every minute.

Moms, take care of yourselves. Nina, rest in peace.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I knew Nina very well in high school and remained close with her for a few years during college. Unfortunately, we did we drift apart and eventually lost touch. I learned of Nina's passing only today when I spoke to a mutual friend for the first time in a long while. I am shocked and saddened.

Even though she has not been part of my life for some time, Nina was a person I will always be grateful to have had in my life. I am not at all surprised by the lives she touched and the manner in which she carried herself. The descriptions I have read of her grace, caring, and ready smile brought back many fond memories. I am sorry I will never have the chance to reconnect with Nina, but I am more deeply saddened by the loss to her children and husband.

I have seen to many good people depart this earth before their time and I will never understand it.

Unknown said...

I am a google searcher that found your site -- I knew Nina for a while prior to kids and then we had kids at the same time. Once, I was complaining about being up all night with my babies she said: "You know -- it just doesn't last. Take a snap shot in your head of what it feels like, what it smells like, and remember it." I did that and have great memories of my three kids as babies in the middle of the night, but it makes me so sad to think how much she cherished her babies. I hope they will know.

Shelley Balough said...

Nina was the first person I met in college at UC Santa Cruz. We have the same birthday. We were best frineds for several years and then drifted apart. It was a couple of years before she died that we started corresponding (the old fashioned way) and it was truly a blessing. I think of her often and miss that she is no longer with us. We were like kindred spirits. Thanks for posting this blog.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for leaving this post up.
I have taken my daughter to Alavarez Park countless times in the last four years. I've noticed that plaque dedicated to her on the bench times. Only recently, when my brother was with me, did he notice that Nina was just a year younger than me. I was interested to know more about her and her life and googled her name. I'm glad to be more aware of how dangerous strep can be.