Shaken Up
Yesterday a grieving mother took her life...joined her daughter. Rhonda Elkins lost her daughter Kaitlyn in April of 2013. Kaitlyn was a 3rd year medical student who seemed happy and stable. It took her family completely by surprise...her mother began writing a blog and had a book published about her ordeal. It's called "My Bright and Shining Star: A Mother's True Story of Brilliance, Love and Suicide." She published her last blog August 26th...3 days later she was gone.
Sad...so sad...she suffered nearly a year and a half...now her husband and other daughter have to figure out how to live their lives without her, and without Kaitlyn.
Sad...so sad...she suffered nearly a year and a half...now her husband and other daughter have to figure out how to live their lives without her, and without Kaitlyn.
Replies
I\'m so sorry to hear this. We all know how it feels and it\'s so very sad.
I am so very sorry to hear about this.
It happens. When I was in Rome September 2013, I was with a Catholic tour group. There were two women, sisters (not nuns, sisters) one of whom had a daughter who hung herself and the mother found her. That woman attempted suicide. I say \"attempted\" because her \"attempt\" was full of holes, I don\'t think she really intended to die although it might have happened except for the vigilance of her rather large extended family.
Yes. It happens. And now her other child is at enormous risk, enormous. You see how this loving mother was totally unable to CONSCIOUSLY comprehend this? She was in the grip of despair and we don\'t know what sort of home life she had, or what sort of professional support. I think every single mother who loses a child, no matter how old or under what circumstances, has true moments of suicidal thoughts. Thinking is one thing; acting is another. When we acknowledge the horror that suicide has wrought upon us, we also acknowledge the horror it will bring on those we love, should we decide to put an end to our pain. That is sanity.
Jill, I am truly surprised it doesn\'t happen more often.
That is tragic. I just can\'t imagine how her family is going to cope. I truly hope they can find help. You of all people understand more than a lot of us how she was feeling. It breaks my heart.
Love and hugs,
Marlene
I know this mom from her blog as it\'s on Graham Forever\'s Scoop It site and on our website. I followed her blog from time to time and was feeling that she was so very courageously moving along and trying to get the word out most especially within the medical school community about suicide and their young doctors.
So very sad for her husband, daughter and all who love her.
Just had read not long ago that she was returning to work as a nurse and excited about it.
Heartbreaking indeed... I\'m SO sorry...
Yes I understand how she felt yet the connection of her husband and other child is now so very wounded. How do they go on??? This is why I could not do it. Such pain. Vibes of peace and healing, Kathy
So very very tragic.
More pain & sadness for her family. Deep sigh....So very sad!