For Meghan Payne
Donation protected
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Please join us in celebrating Meghan's life on Saturday, May 4th at Chris and Julie's acreage. Preceding her death, Megs knew that she wanted to be cremated and planted as a tree. There is no better place for her to rest and grow new life than on her bonus parents' property that she loved so much.
Please follow the signage for parking. The planting ceremony will take place at 3pm. Food and non alcoholic beverages will be provided for the social hour that will follow. You are invited to bring your own alcoholic beverages if you desire. Chris and Julie are happy to host people into the evening.
Lastly, yes, we are aware that May 4th is also Star Wars Day. You are at perfect liberty to celebrate this as well, please just wear a nametag that says "nerd" because that is what Megs would call you!
Sunday 4/7/24
Meghan crossed over at 12:45pm today. A large group of her loved ones (30 or 40 perhaps) were present at the hospital and participated in an honor walk where we were able to say our final goodbyes and she proceeded to the OR with Michael and Jenny. She passed quickly and easily once life support was removed; she was ready.
We are again humbled by the number of people who came to show Meghan how loved she was and as a support system to the husband and mother that she leaves behind. None of this has been easy, but we do feel the love that you’ve been sending us.
Funeral arrangements have not been made just yet but I will post that when the information becomes available.
Much love from the Paynes + Jenny ❤️
Saturday 4/6/24
Tomorrow is the day that we will say goodbye. I am cautious not to share too many upsetting details, but her breathing tube will be removed while she remains comfortably medicated. In the unlikely case that she breathes on her own, she will be moved to hospice, which may change this timeline just a bit. I will keep you guys updated.
Generous as we know her to be, it was not surprising to learn that she is an organ donor. If all goes as we expect, Meghan will give multiple people the gift of life. This has been one sliver of goodness felt for Michael and Jenny during a time of inexplicable pain.
The support that you all have shown us through your donations and messages is simply miraculous. Know that we are held up by you all in our grief and loss. To see how loved and missed Megs will be is brutally beautiful. Thank you doesn’t begin to cover it.
If I could ask one more thing of you, it’s to hold vigil in whatever way you see fit for our girl tomorrow. She loves a scented candle, her pets, a fierce winged eye liner, cute dresses, baking, and a million other things that are specific to how you know her. However you honor her, I know that she’d blush and smile with gratitude.
Katie
Monday 4/1/24
Friends and Family of Meghan,
On Saturday morning, March 30, Meghan suffered a seizure and subsequent cardiac arrest. Michael performed CPR and called an ambulance. Paramedics were able to reestablish a pulse, but she did not regain consciousness.
She is currently still sedated and intubated in the Avera ICU where her team of doctors and specialists are attempting to level out medications. There is unfortunately still a lot of seizure activity occurring as of today, Monday afternoon, which has not allowed for her brain to rest or recover.
This serious medical event has the potential to accumulate an unthinkably large financial burden for which any donation you are able to make would be appreciated more than words could say for Michael, Jenny, and the rest of Meghan's family.
We will update as we are able. Please have Meghan, Michael and Jenny in your thoughts as they navigate the difficult next steps they take, whatever they may be.
Much Love, Katie
Tuesday 4/2/24
Meghan was put into an induced coma last night as this was the only way to stop the seizure activity from occurring. She will remain in this coma through her MRI tomorrow morning where they will be able to determine how severely the lack of oxygen to her brain has affected her. Please be thinking of and praying for Megs and her loved ones through this big day.
Wednesday 4/3/24 4:30pm
As of now Megs still has not had her MRI. At risk of sounding frustrated (we are) there was apparently no forethought about the fact that she is on a ventilator and IVs which cannot go into the machine with her. As far as we know they are currently locating MRI safe equipment to replace she ones she’s currently using. We are all antsy and anxiously awaiting news that she’s ready to go for her MRI. Thank you as always for your prayers and good vibes sent to our Meghan. I know that she’d be blown away by all the love sent to her.
4:55: MRI happening in about 30 minutes, 5:30pm.
Thursday 4/4/24 2:30pm
I know you all have been waiting for this update; it’s one that I didn’t want to have to give. The hard truth that I must share is that Meghan’s MRI shows significant brain injury. Michael and Jenny are, of course, devastated; knowing that the path forward is palliative care for Meghan.
There aren’t any words that feel appropriate. We are sick with grief for our sister, wife, daughter, auntie, cousin, niece, best friend.
Please light a candle, say a prayer, or maybe snuggle your doggies like Megs would. There will be more updates, but that’s all I have for now.
Katie
Organizer and beneficiary
Katie Riley
Organizer
Sioux Falls, SD
Michael Payne
Beneficiary