Matters of the Heart
December 23, 2011 - 10:55am
Steve, SH member, loses his daughter in Afghanistan
Steve B., aka Steve42, lost his beloved daughter, Kayla, on 12/21/11, one of our brave Army soldiers in Afghanistan. Steve and I have remained good friends, and out of respect for his privacy and his family's, I asked his permission to post this on our forums, which he just gave to me.
He is with his family at an Army base. The Army has been treating him and his family like royalty, a wonderful thing that he completely was surprised about. It is a long process for the family right now and Kayla will not be returned to their hometown for burial at the military section of their cemetery for at least a week. Steve will let me know what the arrangements are when he knows.
Also, if you would like his address he has asked that you privately message that request to me and I will honor him and Kayla's family by providing that information for you.
Messages of condolences on here will be wonderful for Steve to read. I know he will be thrilled.
Please, though, as the media is knocking at their door in WA constantly and they are being bombarded with phone calls from friends and family...which they are dealing with as easily as can be expected, respect his privacy here as well.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to all of you!!!
Marianne
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and what a terrible loss for Steve and his family. This is a particularly difficult time of year to have a bereavement.
Steve, I'll pray for you and your family. So glad to hear that the Army are looking after you well.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Grade 2 spondylolisthesis causing severe stenosis + DDD
L4/L5 decompression (laminectomy) and PLIF 19th March 2010
Herniations at T12/L1, T9/T10 and T8/T9 (mildly indenting cord)
Significant cervical spondylosis from C3-C7
C3/C4 and C4/C5 are compressing the cord (mild to moderate)
Been referred to a neurologist to rule out MS
Sincere condolences for your loss, thinking of you and your family at this sad time.
Liz
Thank you Marianne for the post
Born with Familial epiphyseal dysplasia
Polio at 4yrs. Osteoarthritis from age 30
Lumber and cervical stenosis from 1995, surgery of decompression lumber L3/L4/5 S1 1996
chronic pain since 6 years of age
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
10/09 ALIF L4/5
12/11 PLIF L4/5 with instrumentation.
Yep. Its a loss no words can describe, Very sorry buddy! Just got out of pain dr office and had injection and went shoping while i can walk and picked up a condolance card i will be sending you, But sadly there aint a frickin words that will help i am sure,
I hope god gives you the strength to get through this, I dont know how i would handle this kind of situation, God bless brother!
L4 L5 disc replacement in 2004=causing nerve damage'Flexicore disc. 2006 fusion same level leaving adr in. Fusion did nothing to releive the nerve pain.Pain clinic=every injection procedure avalable inc,razadamy, ablation, nerve stimulater trial,morphine pump trial all failed. Pain can be described as burning pain in lower spine penetrating in to left buttock,down left leg. Refuse to take lyrica or nuorontin do to its side effect,Leaving me with norco,valume,and flexiril at night.Which these medications only help with the muscle aches and stiffnes does nothing for the nerve pain from the nerve damage sustained from the adr surgery.Coming up nov.19th 2009 Lami, and hardware removal from fusion,for hardware just causing more pain in other areas.Hardware block comfirmed hardware is also causing pain in diferent area aside from the severe nerve pain on left side.Emg showed some posible problem above surgery are at L3 L4.
Steve, my thoughts are with you and your family. I posted on my veterans site as well, as we do consider your daughter our sister as well, even though we may wear uniforms from different countries, we serve side by side. The candle in my window will burn in her memory tonight.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We Will Remember Them
Kelly
I am a PROUD CANADIAN soldier But NOT a doctor, my thoughts are my own
For times like this words seem inadequate. I'm very, very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you strength.
Debbie
ACDF C5-6 October 4, 2010
Thank you all for the wonderful comments. it is nice to have such a wonderful site with many friends. some of you i have chatted with and some ive read your posts. The support on here from the menbers is more than anyone could ask for and for that i thank you all.
I could come up with that with ease some of your pain. I pray for the strength in you and the rest of your family in dealing with this tragic situation.
Ron DiLauro
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"In his eyes we're all the same Someday we'll all have perfect wings, Don't laugh at me."
"That there's none so blind as those who will not see."
The information provided by members of Spine-Health should never be considered as formal medical advice. It is recommendations based on member's personal experiences only.
This can vary from person to person, so do not take comments as medical facts or rules
As others have said I'm so very sorry to hear you lost your daughter . Sending big hugs for you and your family .
L4-5 flexicore artificial discs . Continued nerve pain in leg and spasms.
There are no adequate words. I'm so sorry buddy.
Jim
Click on my user name to see my medical history
You get what you get......not what you deserve! I stole that from Susan (RIP)
Today is yours to embrace....for tomorrow who knows what will be starring you in the face
No one including me can express in words the depth of their compassion for the anguish you're feeling at the loss of oyur daughter.
, Ess
essmoe29
My Deepest sympathy to you Steve and your family,
There are no words of comfort to say enough how awe full I feel for you.
You have always been there to brighten up chat when I or others were in such pain. Truly I miss you.
I shall keep you and your kids in my prayers daily, that God will guide you thru this.
aka watergirl
All we can do is pray for you and your family in this time of tragedy.
Gary
C4-6 fusion April 2006, Lumbar lamenectomy L4-5-S1 2009, Lumbar discectomy L3-4 2010. hardware removal and redo of fusion C5-7 August 4th, 2011. My comments are from my experience only.
So sorry Steve!!!
deepest condolences to you and your family Steve. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
God bless your daughter.
back injury May 2010
DDD,abutment both l5 nerve roots and s1 nerve root.herniated disc L5/S1 bulging discs L3-L5,osteophytes,degenerative facets,stenosis and coccydynia
discectomy/laminectomy L4/L5 L5/S1 July 2011- unsuccessful
ADR L5/S1 February 6 2012
On the loss of your daughter she is truly a hero. God bless and help you and your family during this most difficult time. Charry
Any answers I have is not medical advice only a Doctor can help you with that. Just sharing my personal experience as a fellow Spine Health member only. DDD of lumbar spine with sciatica to left hip,leg and foot. L4-L5 posterior disc bulge with prominent facets, L5-S1 prominent facets with a posterior osteocartilaginous bar. Mild bilateral foraminal narrowing Neck-reverse Lordosis of c-spine C6-C7 with impingement, numb hand and sore outer elbow. Keep the faith.
I am very sorry for your loss. I will forever treasure the gift your daughter gave to us all. She will always be with us and never forgotten.
"C"
I am so very sorry for you and your families loss.
You have a very brave daughter, and i know you are extremely proud parent.
Like most here i am at a loss for words to express how i feel and sympathesize (sp) for your family.
Tho when i am hurting i do read the "verse" Footprints in the sand; and that does help calm me down.
My thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Jim
I am so very sorry for your loss, and I can't even begin to imagine your pain. My condolences to you and your family.
Protect your neck--you've only got one!
Click this link to read my story. http://www.spine-health.com/forum/new-member-introductions/cindys-6-year...
I cant imagine the pain, yet in tragedy,there is consolation. She will first and formost, always be a hero to so many. There are so many here indebted to those who choose to walk the darkness for us, so that we may sleep in peace this night. That she chose to walk the high road and live a life above and beyond the ordinary, Future generations of helpless will owe gratitude and thanks to your daughter for her sacrifice.
Thanks are owed to you, for giving your daughter to us, for our defense, for our safe haven in this troubled world.
I hope there is peace in place of sorrow, strength, in place of tears. my condolences to you and your family on this most trying of times.
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As we done in the past, We have chiped in for flowers to send to funeral and we would like to do the same now, Who ever would like to chip in please contact marir for info,
So who ever knows Steve and would like to be involved in sending something from the spineys to his daughters funeral pm marir, She is the one in contact with Steve and information of place of funeral,
L4 L5 disc replacement in 2004=causing nerve damage'Flexicore disc. 2006 fusion same level leaving adr in. Fusion did nothing to releive the nerve pain.Pain clinic=every injection procedure avalable inc,razadamy, ablation, nerve stimulater trial,morphine pump trial all failed. Pain can be described as burning pain in lower spine penetrating in to left buttock,down left leg. Refuse to take lyrica or nuorontin do to its side effect,Leaving me with norco,valume,and flexiril at night.Which these medications only help with the muscle aches and stiffnes does nothing for the nerve pain from the nerve damage sustained from the adr surgery.Coming up nov.19th 2009 Lami, and hardware removal from fusion,for hardware just causing more pain in other areas.Hardware block comfirmed hardware is also causing pain in diferent area aside from the severe nerve pain on left side.Emg showed some posible problem above surgery are at L3 L4.
I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Steve's daughter Kayla. I cannot imagine what you and your family are feeling Steve. Just want you to know that my thoughts are with you.
ranger
for writing that for Steve regarding flowers for Kayla.
There is a military memorial service being done at her Army Base in Kentucky on Thursday. I have no details yet about time or address. Steve will be contacting me if he has time to, or is capable of remembering to, when he hears from the Casualty Officer regarding flight arrangements for him to go to Kentucky. So if anyone wants info, please PM me.
No matter what comes about and if we don't get together to send flowers to her service, please all of you know that Steve reads this thread, reads the messages on FB, his page and his friend's, and is sooooooooooo thrilled by your messages of condolences, however which way they are expressed, and they all are making him feel loved and supported.
It is wonderful for him and his family and for Kayla.......
Marianne
Please click on my user name/pic for med/surg history
UPDATE on Kayla Bragg: I just heard from Steve minutes ago....the Memorial Service at her Army base is a CLOSED ceremony, meaning that no flowers, etc. can be sent there. When Steve gets back home (not sure how soon that will be), he will let me know about the arrangements in Kayla's hometown.
He wanted me to express to all of you that he is extremely appreciative of everyone's condolences, no matter if you just post on his or my FB page, or send me a private message, or a card to his home.....Your love, prayers, and thoughts are a great support for him and his family.
God Bless Kayla Bragg!
Please click on my user name/pic for med/surg history
I am broken hearted for you. We are so very thankful to all of the soldiers and their service. We thank you the parent also for all you have done and sacrificed to support us all.
God Bless
Focus is on the future!
My past includes my first cervical fusion 1993; next cervical fusion Jan 2011; TLIF L4-5 in May 2011.
Still healing
Ok then it can be sent to there home town just the same,
I just need the head count who is all in so i know whos names will be on the card with the flower arangement, Right now we have 5 people if iam correct,
Sandra will hadle it from here soon as you have the full info,
L4 L5 disc replacement in 2004=causing nerve damage'Flexicore disc. 2006 fusion same level leaving adr in. Fusion did nothing to releive the nerve pain.Pain clinic=every injection procedure avalable inc,razadamy, ablation, nerve stimulater trial,morphine pump trial all failed. Pain can be described as burning pain in lower spine penetrating in to left buttock,down left leg. Refuse to take lyrica or nuorontin do to its side effect,Leaving me with norco,valume,and flexiril at night.Which these medications only help with the muscle aches and stiffnes does nothing for the nerve pain from the nerve damage sustained from the adr surgery.Coming up nov.19th 2009 Lami, and hardware removal from fusion,for hardware just causing more pain in other areas.Hardware block comfirmed hardware is also causing pain in diferent area aside from the severe nerve pain on left side.Emg showed some posible problem above surgery are at L3 L4.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Be good to yourself, and may your friends and family comfort you through this terribly difficult time.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal."
Tracy
Any information I provide is through personal experience ONLY....I am not a medical professional, though I could write a book on the impacts of chronic pain and the treatments I've tried!
We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. ~E.M. Forster, Novelist
Sending a prayer for Steve daughter! And may god bless her,,!
Thanks for all who pitched in for the flower arangements for her ceremony today,!
L4 L5 disc replacement in 2004=causing nerve damage'Flexicore disc. 2006 fusion same level leaving adr in. Fusion did nothing to releive the nerve pain.Pain clinic=every injection procedure avalable inc,razadamy, ablation, nerve stimulater trial,morphine pump trial all failed. Pain can be described as burning pain in lower spine penetrating in to left buttock,down left leg. Refuse to take lyrica or nuorontin do to its side effect,Leaving me with norco,valume,and flexiril at night.Which these medications only help with the muscle aches and stiffnes does nothing for the nerve pain from the nerve damage sustained from the adr surgery.Coming up nov.19th 2009 Lami, and hardware removal from fusion,for hardware just causing more pain in other areas.Hardware block comfirmed hardware is also causing pain in diferent area aside from the severe nerve pain on left side.Emg showed some posible problem above surgery are at L3 L4.
for taking care of making sure the flowers arrive today to Kayla's Celebration of Life. I am sure he will be surprised and thrilled to see them there when his friends and family gather today to talk about their memories of Kayla........
God bless her, Steve, her family and their friends.......
Please click on my user name/pic for med/surg history
Kayla, RIP
I wish I could find the right words to comfort you and your family. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. There are no words to comfort you enough when you lose a child. It's the absolute hardest thing you will ever face in your life. However, remember the good memories you have to cherish as you celebrate her life. What a wonderful daughter, brave, strong, and committed to her family, friends and country. She gave the ultimate sacrifice for her family, friends, and country. Be proud and stand tall as you know she would want you to do. As time passes, I hope you laugh, cry, and live life the way she would want you to, feel the comfort of her love as she watches over you. Your daughter is a hero to me! She is in my thoughts and prayers as well as you and your family.
I'm a Navy mom so I understand your grief.I'm here to support you as a military mom as well as SH friend. Take comfort in knowing your daughter is an angel watching over you.
I have bought a blue candle to light nightly in her memory. Take comfort in your daughter's courage, strength and love.Keep her smile in your heart as you go through each day. Be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time in the days ahead. I wish you strength to get through this week, month and the days ahead with the love of family and friends.
God Bless you and your family!
Thank you!
Kathy