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Alicia’s Story (Infections)

Alicia's Daughter, MischaIn 2013, one of my identical twin daughters, Mischa, 41, (pictured) passed away from bacterial meningitis. She was an assistant principal in the Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland, the same school district where her twin sister is currently employed as a principal.

She had been ill almost all her life with ear/sinus/upper respiratory infections. She had her tonsils removed while in college.

Through so many doctor visits, never once was her immune system tested. Just before her passing, after numerous visits to specialists, she was directed to see an immunologist and he told us she had the worse he had ever tested, no immunity at all.

Within weeks, waiting for insurance approval, she had a mastoid infection. The higher level of antibiotics delivered to her door from California did not touch it, and she succumbed before surgery could be scheduled.

Had any of the many physicians she saw (even Johns Hopkins) tested her, a different outcome might have been possible. We are lost without this precious daughter, sister, wife, friend in our lives. We will never get over this, never.

A mother should never have to bury a wonderful, perfect daughter who meant so much to so many. I am a broken mother, her sister grieves her loss as do her brothers. This is cruel when it might have been prevented.

Alicia
Maryland
Submitted March 14, 2019

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

2 comments

  1. LaTanya

    Ms. Alicia – I’ve never physically met you but I feel like I know you through your girls. Mischa/Missy was an angel on earth and her big smile and hearty laugh is still a part of my sensory memory to this day. She warmly welcomed me fo the Lake Arbor family my first year there after suffering much heartbreak just the spring before. Meghan continues to inspire me and support me as an educator and leader. What an amazing, incredible woman you must be to have given birth to, raised, and released into this world these two incredible human beings. God bless you all.

  2. Nikki Newman

    Thank you for sharing your story and daughter with us…this is heartbreaking and I am so sorry you had to endure unnecessary pain.

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