Emotional Plea from H1N1 Victim's Parents

(CBS)  New numbers bear out just how big a threat the H1N1 virus is to children.

The latest report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that strain of flu has killed 49 children in the United States. And the numbers are on the rise: At least 19 kids have died in 14 states since the beginning of August. And the "traditional" flu season is just beginning.

One of the latest victims was 14-year-old Chloe Lindsey, of Cisco, Texas. She died Sunday.

Her mother, Tammy Osborne, and stepfather, Tom Osborne, told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez they can't help but think they should have intervened sooner and more forcefully after Chloe fell ill.

Through tears, Tammy said, "The reason we decided to do this (the interview) and what we think is most important for people to know, even in our time of pain, is that I knew Chloe was sick, and even thought the doctor said she was gonna be OK, and they didn't give her the medicine (Tamiflu, which the Osbornes say wasn't administered until Chloe had taken a severe turn for the worse), I knew she was really sick. And I would have been more demanding in her treatment, and been more of an advocate for her than I was.

"And I think it's important to let people know that, even though we're taught all our lives to trust our doctors, and I do trust my doctor, that nobody knows my child better than me, and that, when I knew something wasn't right, I should have gone and made somebody do something."

After the Osbornes told what happened to Chloe, CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton reflected on what happened:


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[ajewilliams]

Thank you to the Osborne family who had enough strength to share their story with other parents. Last week their advice helped get my son the treatment he needed. I had taken my son to a walk in clinic as he had a cold for two days. The doctor said it was just a common cold and to get bed rest. My instincts told me he was not his normal self and I remember Tammy Osborne pleading to other parents to trust they know their children better than some doctors may, and so I took him to children's emergency. He was then diagnosed with H1N1 and given tami-flu to help with his recovery. Additionally, upon arrival at the hospital he was given a ventilin mask to control his extremely rapid breathing, which helped immediatley and was given both tami-flu and a ventilin inhalor to help regulate his breathing at home. He is now at home and on the road to recovery and it was the osborne's story that helped me to ensure he got the help he needed. Thank you sincerley Osborne family.

[planettruth]

I send my condolences to all that have lost a loved one to illness. It is way past due for a big time health care over haul. Over 30 countries do better than the USA. The FDA only approves drugs as treatments when God gave us many non-patented cures. The worst bugs live in the hospitals. I heard about many areas that had exposure to H1N1 are now experiencing less flu problems. A expert called it herd immunity. I call it natural immunity, rather than have a needle jammed into your arm. Many of our infectious diseases are not Black death and are only challenges to our bodies to build our immune systems. It is time to open the windows of our hospitals and schools and air them out. We should be using UV light to kill the bugs and viruses. Please put down the super germ killing soap and use regular soap to keep from making more super bugs, since germs can adapt, too. I suggest oscillococcinum be kept on hand for the flu with chicken soup. Squeeze limes and lemons to get your Vitamin C. Get some sunshine, 20 minutes on the arms and legs will make 20,000 units of Vitamin D, good for both the brain and bone. Lay off the antacids because stomach acid kills bugs. Take plenty of probiotics. They will help the immune system and crowd out the bad bugs. The experts need to look beyond only drugs to treat infection. When it comes to infection Terrain is everything. Germs can change form, it is the pleomorphic doctrine. Nutrition is very important when people are ill and I don't mean Ensure.

[shitchens]

I am a parent of a 14 year old from Georgetown, Delaware. I saw your heart wrenching story on CBS and my 14 year old son was there with me watching. He had been sick what i thought was a cold. This past Saturday he started with a high fever and said his chest hurt. Thanks to Chloe's story I didn't hesitate. We got him to the doctor and he had pneumonia but I could it early enough that after three days medication he was able to go back to school this AM. They asked you during the show why you were telling your story and you said because Chloe was always helping people...I just had to say thank you because I believe that hearing your story made a difference for my son. God Bless you and I am praying for you and your family.

[laurascott1]

My heart goes out to this family. As a mom I simply cannot imagine the pain they are experiencing.

I work with families every day that have lost children to influenza. Together we have created an organization called Families Fighting Flu - www.familiesfightingflu.org. I commend what Tammy and Tom are doing by speaking out and urging all parents to follow their instincts. I know how hard it must be for them right now. What?s so important for people to know is that healthy children are just as susceptible to dying from the flu as any other kids. Just read some of the stories on our Web site and they will sound very similar to what happened to Chloe. The flu should not be taken lightly; it is a very serious disease. My most sincere thoughts are with this family during such a difficult time.

[tobylee02]

Here is some interesting data suggesting that keeping your vitamin D level optimal will prevent colds, flu and in particular H1N1 (swine Flu).
Here are links to two interesting articles:

August 2009-Vitamin D3 deficiency and its role in influenza
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs026/1102452079631/archive/1102685428884.html
Sept 2009-More on Vitamin D3 and influenza
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs026/1102452079631/archive/1102728693089.html

If these links don?t work go to www.vitaminD3world.com and click on ?In the news? to find these updates.
This site also offers a free newsletter and has recently launched a new micro pill formulation of vitamin D.

[mary_moran]

The importance of effective hygiene methods cannot be emphasized enough, especially with our young children. My child came home from school saying that they learned to cough and sneeze into their elbow with Germy Wormie, and I was totally taken aback. I always covered with my hands. But I went to the website and now I get it, hands touch, elbows don't!! Kids can touch 300 surfaces in 1/2 hour and they hate to wash their hands. This is a simple thing that can make a huge difference.

[bustogusto]

This is indeed a very sad story I wouldn't wish upon loving parent. I hope that they don't completely fall apart. They obviously did what they thought was best. People should take their story to heart and NEVER blindly trust a doctor. You can respect their knowledge and experience, but they are only human with ego's, bad days, sleepless nights,stupid mistakes, etc... They're sometimes good at being too confident and that intimidates many people. Listen to them and then Listen to what your heart tells you!

[timmullinspoundva]

As a former embalmer, I am concerned and have been concerned for over five years of MRSA ( methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureaus ) in these deaths from a flu bug. Hospitals in America are filthy bacteria breeding grounds and the very health care system we trust, believe and depend on to keep us safe and healthy is infecting our communities with a disease that used to be an only hospital acquired infection that is so common in our homes, schools, businesses. I really believe the mix of MRSA and flu will cause more deaths than AIDS. I watched my father rot for ten months because of the status quo http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 which I am not saying is medical malpractice, what I did for a living was legal mutilation. But what is deemed, defended and supported as quality health care in America is going to kill more and more innocent people, mostly children right now, but the vunerable elderly are the next target and I can only imagine what will happen when this affects the US economy and health care system.

[MystikOne]

Unfortunately, you can only push Dr's so far. I finally yelled at an ER doc & nurse to do something for me unrelated to H1N1 and they ended up deciding I just wanted medication. It's not my fault they were morons. I ended up in emergency surgery 2 days later. When I got my ER bill, I disputed.... and won.

[pigsinlipstick]

we need universal, single payer health care for all Americans

to avoid these situations, we need national control of the


greed driven corporations whose only concern is money.

not the

health of our children