Bridget’s Story

Site created on November 4, 2021

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


On October 20th, 2021, Bridget went in to have a bowel resection due to her diverticulitis.  On October 23rd, she had an emergency surgery for a leakage in the bowel and she also ended up getting a colostomy .   After the surgery Bridget became septic and sent to ICU.  On October 25th, she was placed on a ventilator, put in a medical induced coma, and then her kidneys stopped functioning.  After her kidneys stopped functioning she was placed on dialysis.  At this time we had hoped that all she needed to do was heal and wake up.  
On October 28th, she had the ventilator removed and she moved to the  medical floor, out of the ICU.  The doctors started decreasing her medication to take her out of her medical coma.  On October 30th, Bridget had a cardiac arrest and moved back up to the ICU.  Bridget is back to being ventilated and on dialysis.  She has been in the ICU since October 30th.  
On November 3rd, during a visit with her sister, Lisa, Bridget began moving her arms and hands.  Bridget went had and EEG to check for brain activity and an MRI, both tests came back without any issues.  On November 4th, during a visit with her niece, Sara, Bridget appeared to respond to Sara's questions by squeezing Sara's hand. Sara asked Bridget yes or no questions and had Bridget answer by blinking, Bridget appeared to respond to Sara's questions. Bridget continues to be on the ventilator and they will be performing dialysis every other day. 
We will continue to update all of you when we hear more.  Please pray for Bridget's son Lucas and mother Peg Oachs. Bridget's sister Lisa is staying with her and Bridget's mother and Lucas to help with care as needed.  Lisa has visited Bridget and threatens to try on her clothes to help wake Bridget up, Bridget has responded with a furrowed brow so we know she can hear us.  

Newest Update

November 18, 2021

Journal entry by Lisa Larson —

Hello Everyone, 

Our family has come together and made decisions about how to celebrate our newest beautiful angel Bridget. We are going to have 2 celebrations of life because Bridget was so sparkly, and full of life that we need to celebrate her as much as possible. She was also loved by so many people that there is no way we can just have her celebration in one state.

We will be having her 1st celebration in Arizona on January 8th at 130pm at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Care. It will be 2 hours where you can come and celebrate Bridget’s beautiful life. We are encouraging everyone to wear colors or sparkles, we feel that black does not describe our Bridget. She was bright, sparkly, and colorful and that is how we encourage everyone to dress.

The 2nd celebration will be in Minnesota which was where she wished to be buried. We are still determining plans on that celebration of life. It will be closer to late Spring, early Summer. 


Please join us at either celebration, we would love to see you and hear stories about our Bridget. 

-Sara Burke

Read More of the journal titled "November 18, 2021"
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Bridget Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Bridget's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Leave a comment of support for Bridget

Did you know? A quick comment, no matter the situation (positive or negative), can boost morale by 28.2%.

Comments Hide comments

Load more comments
Read More Journal Entries

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

Personal Fundraiser
Support Links
Helpful Requests
Go to Ways to Help
SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top