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Mother of Utah swine flu fatality 'didn't want him to suffer anymore'
Thursday, May 21, 2009 | No comments posted.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Marcos Antonio Sanchez went from being an outgoing 21-year-old to Utah's first swine flu fatality in less than a week.
Last week, Sanchez enjoyed swimming and lived with his girlfriend. Then on Saturday, he checked into a hospital, vomiting blood and burning with fever. His lungs shut down on Tuesday.
The next day, his mother made the agonizing decision to take her son off life-support, pushing the nation's death toll to 10 people.
"I knew he was suffering," Christina Huitron told KSL-TV. "I don't know how he was feeling, but I just knew I had to do it because he was passing away slowly anyways, and I didn't want him to suffer anymore."
Dr. David Sundwall, executive director of the Utah Department of Health, said Sanchez was overweight and had chronic medical conditions, including respiratory problems, that put him at risk.
Last week, Sanchez enjoyed swimming and lived with his girlfriend. Then on Saturday, he checked into a hospital, vomiting blood and burning with fever. His lungs shut down on Tuesday.
The next day, his mother made the agonizing decision to take her son off life-support, pushing the nation's death toll to 10 people.
"I knew he was suffering," Christina Huitron told KSL-TV. "I don't know how he was feeling, but I just knew I had to do it because he was passing away slowly anyways, and I didn't want him to suffer anymore."
Dr. David Sundwall, executive director of the Utah Department of Health, said Sanchez was overweight and had chronic medical conditions, including respiratory problems, that put him at risk.
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