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Letter: H1N1 has been personally devastating

Dear Editor,

Thank you for publicizing "Not too late for that H1N1 flu shot," (Staying Healthy special section, Jan. 28, page 6). However, I believe you missed an opportunity to really let people know how devastating this flu can be not only for a person with a chronic illness but healthy people as well.

My daughter Shelly is 42 years old with no health problems prior to contracting the H1N1. She has been hospitalized for nine weeks and is considered the "miracle patient" at ValleyCare hospital. This flu caused her to have ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), sepsis (a deadly blood disease), kidney failure as well as destroying many nerves and muscles in her body. She is unable to stand, walk or use her right arm due to this horrific virus and will need weeks if not months of physical rehabilitation.

Also, you should have given H1N1 statistics for the state of California as people tend to relate to things that are closer to "home". I hope you consider a follow-up so people are really aware this is a horrific virus that can strike anyone.

Sherrie Howell