Ethel Pace from Marshfield Missouri

This is going to be a hard post for me. I sit here tonight with deep saddness. My good friend Ethel M. Pace of Marshfield Missouri passed away Thursday at 1 am in St. Louis Missouri from complications of Gastric Bypass Surgery. Ethel had her surgery and developed a leak. The doctors went back in to repair the leak. An infection occured and she never was able to bounce back. Ethel weighed over 300 lbs. She hardley ever left her bedroom. She was basically a prisonor in her own home. All she ever wanted was to be a mom to her 2 children, Autumn (16) and Blaine (17).A good mom she was, she just wanted to be a better mom. She wanted a life for her and her kids. She wanted to be healthy and active in so many things. I encouraged her all the times she fought for approvals. She was able to pay for the surgery out of a settlement only for every dime she had to go for something that would eventually take her life. Yes there are risks. She knew this before she went in. I told her of the risks as well being 2 years post op myself. The guilt is there for me, why did i make it and she didn't. Why was i encouraging her to keep fighting to have this done. I know its not my fault, but as i sit here listenign to the sounds of my daughter having lost her best friends mother, and her boyfriends mother, crying...i can't help but feel a tug at my heart strings. The boy will turn 18 on the day they bury his mom. Him adn his sister will be shuffled around as there is no dad present. I will do what ever i can to make sure the kids are taken care of. Its the least that i can do. Rest in peace my dear friend Ethel. You will be loved and missed forever. This i promise you... Shirley Hooker Marshfield Missouri

Shirley, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to you and her family. She was very blessed to have a friend like you. Theresa

Thank you for your words of kindness.. Shirley

Shirley, I'm so sorry to hear about your dear friends passing. I guess God wanted another angel but, I know that this is hard to digest and understand. Gastric bypass surgery is serious and many on this board have been blessed with a 2nd chance. Please don't feel guilty for trying to help Ethel get approved for her surgery. You was just being her friend. I ask myself why things happen to some and not others...like why some get an easy ride and others have to scratch and dig their way through life. My thoughts and prayers with be with Autumn and Blaine. Thanks for sharing this with all of us! God Bless, Kelli