Swine flu kills mum, 24
A YOUNG mum has died from swine flu aged just 24 – leaving behind a five-year-old daughter just weeks before Christmas.
Samantha Cooper battled against a string of ailments all her life.
But her heart could no longer cope when she was suddenly struck down with a mixture of pneumonia and swine flu.
Four days after going into the University Hospital of Hartlepool with a chest infection, Samantha's organs began to fail and she died surrounded by her loving family on November 10.
She leaves daughter Kacie, five, who is now being cared for by her grieving grandparents.
Samantha's mum, Debbie, of Lime Crescent, Hartlepool, said: "She was the most bubbly person you could ever meet.
"Even though she was poorly for most of her life, she had lots of energy and everyone loved her.
"She was the life and soul of everything, and a fantastic mum."
The family has been hit by tragedy with Samantha's brother, Leon, dying at the age of 24 from organ failure three years ago after a long battle with alcohol.
Samantha, who was registered disabled and could not work, grew up suffering with Osgood Schlatter's Disease, which saw her develop painful growths on her knees that made it hard to walk.
She also suffered with chronic rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma.
Debbie, 48, said: "Like all families we have had our ups and downs, but we have coped and now we will pull together again.
"My house is full of cards from people. Everyone is thinking of her and the little one."
The family say the steroid-based medication that doctors prescribed Samantha made her quickly put on weight, which she struggled to control.
She had recently lost three stone after doctors stapled her stomach in a bid to curb her weight gain, as she wanted to be able to walk her daughter to school.
But she developed a chesty cough at the beginning of the month which gradually became worse, and on November 6 she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
Her family say that Samantha deteriorated fast and struggled to breathe, which led to surgeons opening her chest to remove fluid.
The day before she died, her family were told she had also developed swine flu.
But medics could not say whether it was before or after the pneumonia struck.
Due to her illnesses, Samantha lived at her parent's home with Kacie, a Brougham Primary School pupil.
Debbie said: "We're looking after the little one now, but it's hard.
"When it's quiet on a night that's when she gets upset and you hear her say 'I miss my mummy'.
"It is going to be a hard Christmas, but she will be in our hearts."
Samantha also leaves behind brothers Peter Cooper, 33, Jason Cooper, 38, and Brian Pearson, 31.
Samantha's funeral was held at Holy Trinity Church, in Davison Drive, and she was buried at the cemetery in West View Road.
HER friends and relatives are now planning a five-mile sponsored walk to raise money for Christmas presents for Kacie.
They are inviting people to meet them at noon on Saturday at the clock tower in Seaton Carew, and walk to Samantha's grave.
For more information ring Amanda Witham on 0785 546 1996 or Gemma Wilson on 0751 307 7574.
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Weather for Peterlee
Saturday 04 February 2012
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