Jamie Leigh Britt (Jamie-leigh)

Jamie is my 18 year old, fun-loving, vivacious, full-of-life, ready to meet the world head-on, daughter. She died very suddenly and unexpectedly on May 22, 2006 due to Viral Meningitis. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), "Viral meningitis is considered to be serious, but rarely fatal. It does not commonly cause death. There are between 25,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations in the USA each year for viral meningitis."

Jamie was 13 days away from her high school graduation when she died. She had been sick with "flu-like" symptoms for a week. She was also experiencing severe head and neck pain, with nausea and vomiting. We had taken her to the emergency room at our local hospital, where they performed various tests, including blood, x-rays, labs, blood cultures, and spinal tap. Everything came back negative. All their tests showed was a very low blood count. They said she had a "virus of unknown origins" and to take her to her family doctor the next day. We did and his findings were the same. We were told to keep her home for the remainder of the week and she could return to school and work the following Monday. We did. She did. She returned to school on Monday, May 22, 2006 and collapsed on the floor of the library and died.

By the time the school had contacted me, and I arrived, was less than 5 minutes. We live a block away. The whole school looked like a crime scene. There were multiple ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and yellow tape everywhere. When I arrived inside, Jamie was on the floor with several paramedics surrounding her and performing CPR and electric shocks on her. I was not allowed to go to my baby. But I did realize that Jamie was no longer a part of this earth. She had already traveled on to the other side.

There are no words to adequately describe the hurt, pain, shock, and devastation a parent feels at this time. There are just no words. We miss Jamie more than we ever knew would be possible. She is, and will always be, loved and remembered. She left behind beautiful memories and untold broken hearts. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. We are lost. Judy~Jamie-leigh's mom http://jamieleigh-britt.memory-of.com

Submitted by: Judy Britt On 8/14/2007