Puyallup woman dies after battle with swine flu
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SEATTLE -- A Puyallup mother who spent weeks in a coma and didn't even know she gave birth to a baby girl has died.
Katie Flyte lost her battle with swine flu and died Tuesday at Harborview Medical Center, her family said. She was 27 years old.
"She's in a better place," said her husband, Kenny.
Six weeks ago, Katie, who was then six-months pregnant, developed a fever and deep cough.
She was sent home and three flu tests came back negative, but her condition deteriorated. She contracted pneumonia, then went into respiratory arrest.
Doctors said they needed to deliver Katie's baby to save both lives.
In a drug-induced coma, Katie underwent a Cesarean section and gave birth to a 2 pound, 14 ounce girl.
She was eventually diagnosed with swine flu and doctors transferred her to Harborview, where she remained in a coma until she died.
"We didn't even have a name fully picked out yet," her husband said of their new baby, who has since been named Abigail Marie.
Kenny said doctors did everything they could to try to keep his wife alive.
Now Kenny, who was laid off from his construction job, is taking care of their 2-year-old son, visiting Abigail in the intensive care unit at Harborview, and planning his wife's memorial service.
Unpaid bills and mortgage payments have piled up, so KOMO viewers donated $4,000 to help with expenses.
Katie's family has been stunned by the outpouring of support, and Kenny said he probably has more people looking out for him than he'll ever know.
"My heart is just overwhelmed with the support that I've gotten through e-mails, letters, to just stuff being dropped off on the front porch," he said. "It is simply amazing that people still care about strangers."
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If you'd like to help you can donate online to the Problem Solvers fund.
Katie Flyte lost her battle with swine flu and died Tuesday at Harborview Medical Center, her family said. She was 27 years old.
"She's in a better place," said her husband, Kenny.
Six weeks ago, Katie, who was then six-months pregnant, developed a fever and deep cough.
She was sent home and three flu tests came back negative, but her condition deteriorated. She contracted pneumonia, then went into respiratory arrest.
Doctors said they needed to deliver Katie's baby to save both lives.
In a drug-induced coma, Katie underwent a Cesarean section and gave birth to a 2 pound, 14 ounce girl.
She was eventually diagnosed with swine flu and doctors transferred her to Harborview, where she remained in a coma until she died.
"We didn't even have a name fully picked out yet," her husband said of their new baby, who has since been named Abigail Marie.
Kenny said doctors did everything they could to try to keep his wife alive.
Now Kenny, who was laid off from his construction job, is taking care of their 2-year-old son, visiting Abigail in the intensive care unit at Harborview, and planning his wife's memorial service.
Unpaid bills and mortgage payments have piled up, so KOMO viewers donated $4,000 to help with expenses.
Katie's family has been stunned by the outpouring of support, and Kenny said he probably has more people looking out for him than he'll ever know.
"My heart is just overwhelmed with the support that I've gotten through e-mails, letters, to just stuff being dropped off on the front porch," he said. "It is simply amazing that people still care about strangers."
---
If you'd like to help you can donate online to the Problem Solvers fund.
