A single mom was in so much agony she could hardly move in the days leading up to her death.
Friends and family have revealed the true extent of the excruciating pain that had plagued Alshante Brangman for more than a year.
The 23-year-old grocery store worker complained of stomach cramps, extreme tiredness, a swollen face and discoloured fingers. She also suffered from asthma and anaemia.
Miss Brangman's condition deteriorated so much in the last days of her life that she was in too much pain to get out of bed.
Her family and friends still do not know exactly what was wrong with Miss Brangman but believe "the sickness took its toll and everything closed down".
They spoke to the Bermuda Sun after police released the 28-year-old man from Sandys they were quizzing about Miss Brangman's death.
A forensic pathologist ruled out foul play and the autopsy revealed she had died of natural causes.
Deteriorated
Miss Brangman, of Cedar Park Road, Devonshire, died at KEMH last Tuesday following an alleged domestic incident.
She worked as a cashier at MarketPlace and was studying for her GED at the Adult Education Centre.
She leaves behind a three-year-old daughter, A'Saiya.
Salimah Sheeheed said Miss Brangman, her best friend, had been sick for about 18 months and had "deteriorated badly" in the last three.
She added: "She'd been losing weight since December. Every time I saw her she said she didn't feel good.
"Her stomach was hurting her, her fingers would turn white and she'd wake up every morning with a swollen face.
"Sometimes she was just so exhausted she was unable to move. She just wanted to stay in bed all day and all night.
"She no longer looked like the Alshante I knew."
Miss Sheeheed, 22, of Cedar Park Road, Devonshire, believes her friend died of internal bleeding caused by "a combination of things".
Miss Brangman had x-rays, scans and blood tests and was due to receive the results this week.
Miss Sheeheed said: "She was never given answers, she didn't know what was wrong with her. She kept being given different medications but no one told her what was wrong
"I kept telling her, 'You need to go away to go to hospital, you really need to go overseas,' but it never happened. Maybe if she had gone overseas she would still be here today."
The best friends saw each other every day, having met when they were just four.
They attended Prospect Primary School, Whitney Middle School and CedarBridge Academy together.
They used to have "twin days" when they used to dress the same and pretend they were twins.
The two women were even known as "underpants and bra" as they were always together.
Miss Brangman had been with her boyfriend "on and off" for about three years and had planned to go to England to further her education.
Miss Sheeheed said: "She was a lovely person, she'd do anything for anyone.
"Her daughter was her life. I just wish she was still here."
Miss Brangman's grandmother, Ella Smith, said the family was satisfied with the police findings.
She said: "She was sick, real sick, very sick. You only had to look at her to know that.
"She looked tired, really drained out and she was always feeling cold. She complained of pain, her stomach was always hurting and she had bad headaches.
"She said she'd be tired and want to lie down. We'd put the heater on but she'd still be cold.
"She had good days and bad days but she seemed to be sick more and more frequently - the pain never seemed to go away."
Ms Smith, of St. Monica's Road, Pembroke, said Miss Brangman had a doctor's appointment "just about every week" and was "in and out of hospital all the time". She added the family has a history of high blood pressure and strokes.
Ms Smith said: "She never knew what was wrong with her, she didn't want to make a big deal out of things. She was a quiet girl and just wanted to go about her business on her own.
"She never seemed to worry about being sick so neither did we."
Ms Smith last saw her granddaughter three days before her death. As she left the house, Miss Brangman said: "I'm gone Gran."
"Okay boo," Ms Smith shouted after her.
Miss Brangman had not felt well enough to visit her grandmother again on Monday - the day before she died - as planned.
Miss Brangman's father, Allan DeGraff Sr., is said to be "content" with the autopsy results.
Mr. DeGraff, who saw his daughter every day, went to the police station to be briefed at the weekend and is "coping as well as he can".
Sickness
Ms Smith, who lives with her son Mr. DeGraff, added: "We didn't ever think she was murdered. We knew how in love she was with the guy and we knew how sick she'd been.
"We'd met her boyfriend and he seemed alright.
"We're satisfied with the outcome - she got so weak through sickness that she passed on.
"The sickness took its toll and everything closed down. We will always love and miss her."
Arrangements for Miss Brangman's funeral are still being made but it is due to take place on Friday.
Police said her death is not being treated as suspicious and "no further police action was required".
The Bermuda Hospitals Board would not comment on an individual patient's medical care.
But a spokeswoman added: "We extend our deepest sympathies to Ms Brangman's family and invite them to contact our quality and risk department if they have any concerns or questions about the care provided."
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Comment by:
Louisa Barry Showers
Yes, I am very concerned with the course of her treatment. It seems to that she should have been hospitalized until the symptoms could be justified. Closer medical monitoring was required.
Posted: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Comment by:
Susan Clarke
No one should suffer this amount of pain for so long...... what is wrong with our health care that this young, I repeat young, lady should die in this way with no medical intervention...... there is something seriously wrong here.
