John Tavolta's son Jett dies at age 16

[Lavanda Dolce]

Thanks LD.
You cannot check levels with lamictal. He presented with severe ketoacidosis which would certainly cause stress to lower his seizure threshhold. he also was late on a dose. They diagnosed him as type 1 diabetic on the spot. but after a night in ICU on an insulin drip and another night of stabilization in the hospital, they think he may not be diabetic after all. They do not know why he would have become so acutely and severely ill. He did not feel bad at all..that he can recall .So figuring that out is now our next adventure.:woohoo:

I would definetly have him seen by an endocrinologist for a work up...especially due to his glucose levels prior to the insulin drip. He could have hormone related disorders such as hypothyroidism, low testosterone, etc. which can cause all that you explained.

As for the lamictal, I'm not sure if I am very fond of that particular medication. I do know my son in law was prescribed due to his bipolar disorder and after 2 months of usage he developed that dangerous rash. (he also has epilepsy) While it controlled his epilepsy, it aggravated his bipolar. Has he tried other medications for seizure control since he has become older or was lamictol the first they prescribed? I've rarely heard of a child (albeit a child can take it) from my support group that is on lamictal so I am not familiar with the overall statistics of seizure control. My son happens to take Tegretol and Depakote twice a day. (Dilantin is another "tough med" that has been around forever...but has so many side effects) Neurontin is definetly one that I have known far too many people who have taken it and it is not successful for their seizure control....yet others swear by it.

 

[Lavanda Dolce]

Respectfully snipped ~

Powerful video Lavanda! I was stunned and amazed.

JBean - I feel your pain with your son. My cousin also has epilipsy. It didn't hit until he was 15ish and then it hit hard. He had rapid succession grand mals that kept him in the hospital for several weeks. He is on medication but he recently had a grand mal just a couple of days ago, Sunday I think. Very scary stuff. The medication also has side effects. So many people think you can just throw a pill at something.... in my cousin's case the medication does not seem to work very well and often it comes with some horrible side effects.

I truely believe that epilipsy is a life threatening disease. Even if it is not often the primary cause of death, if someone in not around to help during a siezure - so many things can go wrong. And for young people - it is hard to be in the company of someone all the time.

I don't know if Jett was medicated, but to me it doesn't really matter. I know a person can have grand mal siezures even if medicated.

I send the Travoltas my deepest sympathy for the loss of their young son. From all the pictures shown in the media, it is easy to see this young man was truely loved and I am sure the Travoltas did their very best to provide Jett with all that they could.

Salem

Oh I see this and hear this all the time! Puberty really can throw an otherwise controlled seizure free child right smack back into the seizures. And it's such a huge "forest" of medications...many different paths that are possible to take and many that may not work until the right path is found. Prayers for your nephew that they find the right medication, or combination of medications, to control his seizures. The teen years are the hardest of all...bad enough parents are going to deal with the hormone changes and add to that a strict medication regime and monitoring...is enough to cause any parent to lose sleep. Hugs and Prayers.

 

[Lavanda Dolce]

Florida,

My husband says I have an electromagnetic personality that causes people to fall into seizures. LOL. Seriously, I cannot tell you how many times and places I am when someone in the room goes into a tonic clonic (grand mal) seizure and happens to be right next to me in grocery stores, bank, etc!

Seems there is so much more education needed and I will highly recommend that anyone who has a child with seizures to PLEASE contact the Epilepsy Foundation. They will send a representative in your area to your home to learn of what type of seizure your child has and they will do the school intervention training. Cool,eh? Yes...they will contact your child's school and go in and have an inservice training for all the teachers. They bring video's and materials. This is part of what they do.

Two years ago my son (who is also special needs with Asperger/Autism)...decided to not take his Tegretol, without us knowing. So as we would give him his meds he would throw the tegretol away. After about 3 days of this....he was the last student in class when the teacher asked him why he wasn't getting up to leave? (The bell rang) when it was just he and his male teacher, he went into a grand mal seizure at his desk. The teacher had never witnessed a seizure before in his life! Not too mention, he didn't know what to do and didn't want to run for help and/or leave him unattended...luckily, a young lady walked into the class...her next class was there...and she took over and he ran for help. Come to find out her father has seizures. I swear....yes, there are angels up there and make sure whenever possible that someone knows is around

 

[Lavanda Dolce]

Oh! And another story....my youngest is 14...when he was only ten years old he spent the night at a friends house. Somewhere around midnite he heard the mom screaming and come to find out...his friends little sister was having a grand mal seizure at four years old. (her first)....my son told them what to do...long story short...after the hospital visit and they returned home, she said my son (at 10 years old) sat in the kitchen with she and her husband and the grandmother and educated them all on seizures until 7:00 am. Neither the mom nor the dad, nor the grandma who lived there...had ever witnessed a seizure and she said to this day that my son was their angel. She said he was very well in control and "took over" until the paramedics arrived. Keep in mind, this was a new friend and the first time he ever spent the night at their house. LOL. The mom and dad told me they wanted to know if he could stay for another couple of nights. (just kidding with me of course)

 

[JaneInOz]

Yes. A cat scan or MRI of the brain will show the scar tissue damage....and this is not in all people who have seizure disorders. It is usually from those who have uncontrolled or multiple types of seizure disorders. Usually the scar tissue is in the temperol lobe and yes...temporal lobe seizures usually begin in the deeper portions of the brain's temporal lobe....this area is part of the limbic system, which controls emotions and memory.
The "normal" person probably begins remembering their youth from around the age of 6-8 years old....and this is partly due to the relationships they began to build outside the home and the "adventures" in their lives.

Snipped

I really don't have a good memory at all. And I was talking about even after that period of time that is normal
I started having my seizures at 6 until around 12 / 13

I don't really have memories at all even after..only when I look at photos

 

[Malapoo]

Although people were in the house, this has to be considered an "unattended death" since no one was physically present in the room. This the police inquisition. I hate it for them, but it shouldn't be seen as police being suspicious of foul play.

And I want to be clear on my stance - I think the Travoltas did all they could for their son and loved him deeply. I may not like Scientology and I believe Hubbard was a con artist, but these people loved Jett, are devastated by this loss and deserve nothing but our prayers.

 

[Moe]

The problem with epilepsy is there are no concrete answers. How much medication and what kind can take years to determine, if ever. Seizures are generally not predictable, thus putting patients and their family members on constant edge. Even the most diligent patients can continue to have seizures, for no apparent reason. The Epilepsy Foundation is and has been a wonderful resource for my family. My son has had epilepsy since age 3, he's now 15. He has been controlled for three years now, but that baby monitor is not leaving his room anytime soon. My heart breaks for the Travolta family, I hope they find peace.

 

[eve]

Although people were in the house, this has to be considered an "unattended death" since no one was physically present in the room. This the police inquisition. I hate it for them, but it shouldn't be seen as police being suspicious of foul play.

And I want to be clear on my stance - I think the Travoltas did all they could for their son and loved him deeply. I may not like Scientology and I believe Hubbard was a con artist, but these people loved Jett, are devastated by this loss and deserve nothing but our prayers.

I agree with you. My brother died last year of a head injury, accidental, and there was a complete invesitigation - CSI took over the house for 6 hours. I also think they deeply loved Jett and cared for him very well. I am troubled when I hear the rumor that they would not accept a dignosis of autism or other disorder because of the stigma in view of Scientology, but that is all it is - a rumor. Who knows? I feel terrible for them, regardless and in no way believe they caused his death.

Eve

 

[songline]

REST IN PEACE JETT TRAVOLTA

Today is the last day of this horrific Trauma for the Travolta family.
But the pain of losing their son will last a very long time.
It is not natural for your children to go first, it is most painful.

GOD BLESS THE TRAVOLTA FAMILY and send them healing energy.
May they live with the comfort of knowing that Jett had a very good life
and is in peace now.

 

[Lola]

Maybe we can put this to rest as it appears to be just a rummer at
this point!
It also appears that those who knew his parents don't agree with your last
statement!

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=42291868&blogID=461897430

"Among most of the crazy made up garbage that goes around about it , It is
not true that Scientologist's "Don't believe in " medical care , medicine or
medical Doctors and that may have something to do with this terrible tragedy.
Just like anyone else, If one is sick , they go to the doctor, If a medication
will make it better then they take it.
If they don't then they are an idiot and you can't blame their religion.
Whatever medical and or physical condition Jett had , I can tell you first
hand that his parents were on a tireless, never ending quest to get and
provide him with the absolute best care anyone could ever ask for and need,
Medically, physically, emotionally, medicinally and spiritually."


More at link

Lisa Marie Presley? another Scientologist. Look into the Lisa McPherson case for an insight as to how Scientology handles their ill members. Here Kelly Preston talks about the purification rundown she used to "cure" her then 2 year old son....The Power of One: Kelly Preston

For added information, you may want to check out just what the purification rundown entails: Purification Rundown

Lisa Marie Presley is just another spokesperson like Tommy Davis (Anne Archer's son) who most probably has been audited by the Scientologists numerous times and is afraid of what might be her punishment if she grew a spine.

Check out what Jason Beghe had to say about his time in Scientology - Jason Beghe the Full Interview

 

[Lavanda Dolce]

Lisa Marie Presley? another Scientologist. Look into the Lisa McPherson case for an insight as to how Scientology handles their ill members. Here Kelly Preston talks about the purification rundown she used to "cure" her then 2 year old son....The Power of One: Kelly Preston

For added information, you may want to check out just what the purification rundown entails: Purification Rundown

Lisa Marie Presley is just another spokesperson like Tommy Davis (Anne Archer's son) who most probably has been audited by the Scientologists numerous times and is afraid of what might be her punishment if she grew a spine.

Check out what Jason Beghe had to say about his time in Scientology - Jason Beghe the Full Interview

I don't condone what people believe to be healthy for them...both in their spiritual and or their physical vitamin usage, etc. That is free choice. We cannot as a society start dictating what others should do or not do. I do not believe for a single iota of a second that either John or Kelly did anything whatsoever, in the sake of their beliefs, that caused ill harm to their son. There are many who would berate you and I for drinking coffee and causing ill harm to our bodies by being overweight, or smoking, or whatever and should we be penalized by a mob society that is so intent on having distaste for someone elses free choice that one would accuse such during a terrible time of grief? Lisa McPherson case, by the way, is a total seperate situation. It's like banning the Catholic religion from practicing and berating any parent who holds their child's funeral mass in a Catholic church due to the history of some pedophile priests. The line needs to be drawn somewhere on free choice. That is what America is about. I'll be darned if I will ever interfere with someone else's choice of religion...and the only time that I would is if it were to blatantly be causing ill harm to minor children. That did not occur with the Travolta family, so please let it drop.

 

[Lola]

I don't condone what people believe to be healthy for them...both in their spiritual and or their physical vitamin usage, etc. That is free choice. We cannot as a society start dictating what others should do or not do. I do not believe for a single iota of a second that either John or Kelly did anything whatsoever, in the sake of their beliefs, that caused ill harm to their son. There are many who would berate you and I for drinking coffee and causing ill harm to our bodies by being overweight, or smoking, or whatever and should we be penalized by a mob society that is so intent on having distaste for someone elses free choice that one would accuse such during a terrible time of grief? Lisa McPherson case, by the way, is a total seperate situation. It's like banning the Catholic religion from practicing and berating any parent who holds their child's funeral mass in a Catholic church due to the history of some pedophile priests. The line needs to be drawn somewhere on free choice. That is what America is about. I'll be darned if I will ever interfere with someone else's choice of religion...and the only time that I would is if it were to blatantly be causing ill harm to minor children. That did not occur with the Travolta family, so please let it drop.

And you know that because.....?? I see a family with lots of money, who has a child die in questionable circumstances, yet goes to the trouble to have an autopsy.....and yet, they choose to have it done in the Bahamas and cremate his remains before any reputable ME might take a look....give me a break.

Free choice is one thing, but endagering a child's life due to religious beliefs is not a perogative. Burying a child in the Catholic Church has nothing to do with this, this is about a so-called Church which advances so-called scientific practises which have no basis in science and the people who practice this so-called religion are brainwashed into believing this nonsense. Scientology does not believe in free choice...it's their way or the highway, but if you have an ample bank balance they'll do whatever it takes to keep you in the fold. Do you think Nicole Kidman's free choice is to not see her adopted children?

Have you heard of Operation Freakout or Operation Snow White? Go to youtube and find out what Paulette Cooper and Scott Mayer had to say during the Clearwater hearings.

 

[Lavanda Dolce]

And you know that because.....?? I see a family with lots of money, who has a child die in questionable circumstances, yet goes to the trouble to have an autopsy.....and yet, they choose to have it done in the Bahamas and cremate his remains before any reputable ME might take a look....give me a break.

Free choice is one thing, but endagering a child's life due to religious beliefs is not a perogative. Burying a child in the Catholic Church has nothing to do with this, this is about a so-called Church which advances so-called scientific practises which have no basis in science and the people who practice this so-called religion are brainwashed into believing this nonsense. Scientology does not believe in free choice...it's their way or the highway, but if you have an ample bank balance they'll do whatever it takes to keep you in the fold. Do you think Nicole Kidman's free choice is to not see her adopted children?

Have you heard of Operation Freakout or Operation Snow White? Go to youtube and find out what Paulette Cooper and Scott Mayer had to say during the Clearwater hearings.

Jett Travolta did not die in an endangered setting nor was his parents spiritual beliefs the cause of his death...nor do I see his death as questionable in any way. Lisa Presley is right. This is NOT the time to use a family grieving to debate someone elses choice of their spiritual beliefs. Whether they are famous, or not famous...I stand by my beliefs regarding this situation. If it were Joe Schmooh and Lucy Schmooh and this happened I would be in the same supportive mode. Because the child was on antiseizure medications and they chose to remove him from it is due to the fact that they recognized the damage the medication was causing him. The mere fact he was even on it sort of contradicts what you're implying anyhow.

 

[southcitymom]

I agree with you. My brother died last year of a head injury, accidental, and there was a complete invesitigation - CSI took over the house for 6 hours. I also think they deeply loved Jett and cared for him very well. I am troubled when I hear the rumor that they would not accept a dignosis of autism or other disorder because of the stigma in view of Scientology, but that is all it is - a rumor. Who knows? I feel terrible for them, regardless and in no way believe they caused his death.

Eve

I thought of your brother when i read about this story, Eve. :blowkiss:

 

[JBean]

MY sisters father in law died last year. The very next day,her BIL that l lived with the FIL died from a broken heart at the loss of his father.
Since 2 people died in the same house within 24 hours of each other, there had to be an investigation. There are certain criteria that call for this. The investigation showed that it was a most unfortunate chain of events and that is what they expected the investigation to show.
I suspect we will see something similar here.

 

[JBean]

Jett Travolta did not die in an endangered setting nor was his parents spiritual beliefs the cause of his death...nor do I see his death as questionable in any way. Lisa Presley is right. This is NOT the time to use a family grieving to debate someone elses choice of their spiritual beliefs. Whether they are famous, or not famous...I stand by my beliefs regarding this situation. If it were Joe Schmooh and Lucy Schmooh and this happened I would be in the same supportive mode. Because the child was on antiseizure medications and they chose to remove him from it is due to the fact that they recognized the damage the medication was causing him. The mere fact he was even on it sort of contradicts what you're implying anyhow.

LD, don't worry about what is being said. leave it be and render it powerless.
You have added good insight on this thread as have many others. Much of what has been posted can be helpful to those that truly want to learn and understand about the complexity of seizure disorders. If they don't want to look at everything, don;t worry about it. There are plenty that do.

 

[Seamaid]

Jett Travolta did not die in an endangered setting nor was his parents spiritual beliefs the cause of his death...nor do I see his death as questionable in any way. Lisa Presley is right. This is NOT the time to use a family grieving to debate someone elses choice of their spiritual beliefs. Whether they are famous, or not famous...I stand by my beliefs regarding this situation. If it were Joe Schmooh and Lucy Schmooh and this happened I would be in the same supportive mode. Because the child was on antiseizure medications and they chose to remove him from it is due to the fact that they recognized the damage the medication was causing him. The mere fact he was even on it sort of contradicts what you're implying anyhow.

I think what we have here is a situation where two parents made decisions concerning the medical care of their son that may or may not have contributed to his death. This is no different then a parent who choses not to treat their child with anything other then prayer when medical attention would be a "better" choice in the view of the majority of the public. Either way, if the child dies then the parents fall under the microscope of LE.

Some of the members here see that just the fact that the Travoltas are Scientologists that they are going to tow the Scientologist line and follow their doctrines by not medically giving their son the best care they could have, others will believe the spin put on it and believe that obviously they loved their child and would do everything they could to ensure him the best quality of life.


Either way, we'll never know the truth. I'm sure their grief is real, I'm sure they might regret not doing more to help this situation not happen but I think it's disturbing that so many people want to brush their culpability (if any) under the carpet because 1. they lost a son and 2. because their celebrities.

In my opinion they're no better then the people who worship with snakes and they cry when they get bit.

 

[JBean]

The problem with epilepsy is there are no concrete answers. How much medication and what kind can take years to determine, if ever. Seizures are generally not predictable, thus putting patients and their family members on constant edge. Even the most diligent patients can continue to have seizures, for no apparent reason. The Epilepsy Foundation is and has been a wonderful resource for my family. My son has had epilepsy since age 3, he's now 15. He has been controlled for three years now, but that baby monitor is not leaving his room anytime soon. My heart breaks for the Travolta family, I hope they find peace.

HI Moe..I have been thinking about you and hoping you would weigh in on this topic. I love how Moe jr has taken control of his situation.

The epilepsy foundation has been an invaluable resource for my family as well. Thanks for posting Moe.:blowkiss:

 

[JBean]

We can go ahead and discuss facts relevant to what happened. There will be no "those damned nutty Scientologists" any more than there will be any "those damned nutty Lutherans" or anything like that.

Thanks adnoid. I am not sure if everyone saw this so I just wanted to thank you again for posting this.

 

[JaneInOz]

I think what we have here is a situation where two parents made decisions concerning the medical care of their son that may or may not have contributed to his death. This is no different then a parent who choses not to treat their child with anything other then prayer when medical attention would be a "better" choice in the view of the majority of the public. Either way, if the child dies then the parents fall under the microscope of LE.

Some of the members here see that just the fact that the Travoltas are Scientologists that they are going to tow the Scientologist line and follow their doctrines by not medically giving their son the best care they could have, others will believe the spin put on it and believe that obviously they loved their child and would do everything they could to ensure him the best quality of life.


Either way, we'll never know the truth. I'm sure their grief is real, I'm sure they might regret not doing more to help this situation not happen but I think it's disturbing that so many people want to brush their culpability (if any) under the carpet because 1. they lost a son and 2. because their celebrities.

In my opinion they're no better then the people who worship with snakes and they cry when they get bit.

IF this were Joe Smooshe And Mary Smooshe and this was reported in the papers and everything happened so quickly ie death Friday Autopsy Monday Cremated Tuesday and the person belonged to any cult be it scientology or JW's or any other cult type one that dictates what you can and can not do, and there was a cloud over them I guarantee that the people here (and elswehwere) would be picking it to pieces and bring up all types of scenarios

But because its a celeb that we all love people are in protective mode....

I bet if it was Britney Spears people wouldn't be saying half of the things here. I bet she would be ripped to pieces.....

It does seem that there is a bias because of who it is.

Personally I believe that they are devastated parents who would most definitely be churning up inside about decisions that they made or didn't make

LIKE ANY OTHER PARENT.

It is a fact that John T and Family were heavily into Scientology
It is a Fact that Scientology has questionable beliefs and practices
But it is ONLY speculation that one has anything to do with the other or with Jetts Death
Speculation

Now this is a thread about a boy who died at 16 yrs of age - a tragedy in itself. Yes he is a famous persons son and so its going to get media attention and gossip and rumour attached to it

But I think it would be better served discussing the pros and cons of Scientology in another thread.

That way it separates the emotion of this young boys death from the subject
JMO