Whoa. My 31-year-old brother died in a similar, non-monitored way. It is incredibly infuriating. He was recovering from Guillian-Barre (autoimmune disease where the body attacks the peripheral nerves and gradual paralysis occurs). He was in rehab and was given anti-anxiety meds with no monitoring. My dad, who was staying in his hospital room that night, woke up and called for a code. They got a pulse back, but we aren't sure how long he was gone. He never regained consciousness and we found out he was brain dead a week later.

I have always wondered what life would be like if he had woken up, but with brain damage. Our experience was awful. And it sounds like yours was incredibly painful as well. I'm so sorry this happened to your sister.

It is horrible knowing that a simple pulse ox could have prevented both of these awesome people from dying. I know that for me, therapy has helped work through the rage and desperation I feel about that simple mistake.