Sandoval Woman Reportedly Dies of H1N1 Virus

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=19766

Sandoval Woman Reportedly Dies of H1N1 Virus
12/31/09 @ 3:42:17 pm

A 30-year-old Sandoval woman has died, apparently from complications that began when she caught the H1N1 flu virus around Thanksgiving. Friends say Amber Ward was transferred almost immediately to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis where she lost her battle on Tuesday. As Amber's situation worsened, her son Chase was induced and born just 29 weeks into her pregnancy. He is reportedly doing well at Children's Hospital in St. Louis where he now weighs just over three pounds. Chase will be allowed to come home once he weighs five pounds. Amber also leaves her husband and five other young children at home. They are 13-year-old Dallas, eight-year-old Ashlynn, five-year-old Gavin, three-year-old Cohen and ten-month old Beilei. Amber was a licensed practical nurse at the Odin Care Center. Friends are trying to raise money for a trust fund for the family. The fund is in the name of Amber's father, Dale Tucker of Salem, at Marion County Savings Bank. Donations can be left at the bank. Meanwhile, the Marion County Health Department is still trying to obtain additional information before issuing a statement on the death.



Celebration of life services for Amber Ward have been set for eleven Saturday morning at the Day Funeral Home in Sandoval, with visitation from five to eight Friday night and from eight Saturday morning until the time of the service.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Sandoval Woman Reportedly Dies of H1N1 Virus

Source: http://www.bnd.com/breaking_news/story/1074722.html

Tuesday, Jan. 05, 2010

Illinois nurse dies from H1N1 complications; family says she was too busy to get vaccinated
KSDK

Her family says she was a healthy 30-year-old mother of five with another baby on the way; but last week, Amber Ward died from the H1N1 virus.

Ward, a Sandoval, Illinois native, was a nurse and knew she was at risk for the swine flu, according to her husband Tom. But he says busy schedules and sick kids kept her from getting vaccinated.

The day before Thanksgiving her family says Ward began running a fever. After two false negative tests for swine flu, she was in a St. Louis hospital and in a comma just a week later.

Doctors were able to save her baby, but Ward died on December 29. Her husband Tom hopes her story will encourage others to get vaccinated.

"This is nothing to joke with. My wife was perfectly healthy a month and a half ago (there was) nothing wrong with her," Tom Ward said. "We enjoyed Thanksgiving together, there was nothing wrong with her and in less than a week we didn't get to talk to her anymore."

Amber Ward leaves behind six young children. Her family has set up a fund for their education at the 1st National Bank of Sandoval under the "Amber Ward and Family Fund."

"I just don't want this to happen to any other husband, any other family," Ward said. "My kids are without their mom (and) I'm without my wife. Now I don't have my friend."

If you want to get an H1N1 vaccine, the St. Louis County Health Department is offering free shots every Wednesday in January. The clinics will take place at the Greensfelder Recreation Complex in Queeny Park from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. You do not need an appointment.

KSDK