What Brittany Murphy’s Death Can Teach Us
The death of Brittany Murphy shocked this writer. In a way, even though I was raised on Michael Jackson’s music, Brittany Murphy’s death hit me harder than Michael Jackson’s death because I had more of a sentimental connection with her through my teenage daughter. As the rumors broke out of drug abuse and eating disorders, I quietly sent thoughts and prayers of strength to her family.
The autopsy report states that Brittany Murphy died from pneumonia, complicated by prescription drug use and anemia. A controversial situation without the controversy. But it was not the scandal that Michael Jackson’s death caused and is still causing. No one to point a finger at? Let’s move on then.
Wrong. There is a lesson to be learned here. Just because this wonderfully talented actress did not die in a scandal does not mean that we can not learn from her death. I believe she would like that, just from the interviews I have seen of her and how teenage girls like my daughter seemed more connected with her than someone a decade older than her own mother.
How Did Brittany Murphy Die?
Brittany Murphy had community acquired pneumonia. It is common knowledge that it was a vicious cold and flu season, with even more strains becoming known and innocent people dying.
Brittany also had anemia. As a woman and a mother, I know how rough anemia can be. It was part of what considered my pregnancies high-risk with each of my three children.
Brittany was also taking the painkiller vicodin. This is the part we need to learn from. When someone has pneumonia, along with having anemia, some medications can work against us instead of for us.
What happened to Brittany Murphy was not a scandal of using drugs to get high. What happened to her was a tragic accident of combining medication with pneumonia and an existing medical condition therefore causing an accidental death from natural causes.
What happened to Brittany Murphy could have been prevented.
Brittany Murphy, Before She Died
As I watched Uptown Girls, one of my daughter’s favorite DVD movies, I shed a tear. As I saw Clueless over St. Valentine’s weekend, I realized I had to write this article. Brittany Murphy had an innocence about her that came across in her films. Yet she was an adult.
She was set to go to the doctor but died before her appointment. We all know that when we have pneumonia or the flu, we want to stay home. The emergency rooms are packed with others who are sick, which can make us sicker or endanger our loved ones who bring us in. She had pneumonia, she was on prescription medication and she had anemia. Who wants to be in a busy emergency room with all that going on?
Just as she inspired young girls to follow their dreams, to enjoy their youth, let us learn from her death. Brittany Murphy died because of an accidental combination. If you are sick and have a medical condition, double check with your doctor about any prescription medication you are on. I truly believe Brittany would be honored if we learned from her death in this way.
