Close friends and relatives of well known hairdresser Nadine Roberts, better known as Lisa have continued to pay tribute to her. Miss Roberts died in July, following months of excruciating pain from a mystery illness and was buried last month.
Raheem Bailey, her son described her as a wonderful mother. Raheem told the North Coast Times “I remember her in a lovely manner, I really love her. She was always there when I needed her. I don’t know if I could find someone to replace my mother. After her illness it shake me up a bit to know that a strong, black woman like her is sick with disease or deficiency.”
He went on to say “Ever since she died it has been puzzling me…My mother will always be in my memory.” He also recalled her telling him “Never mind what people say about you, just know I am here for you all the way and I will support you in anything that you do because you are my only son and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
Raheem expressed the love he had for his mother being her only child and extended thanks to Dina, the Bailey’s family, Obina and her family as well as Sister Cherry and St. Ann’s Bay Preparatory and High School who supported him in his time of bereavement.
Primrose Oliver, a client of Nadine Roberts, said “She was the ‘baddest ‘hairdresser!” She said Roberts was unique and described her as a “Gifted individual who was passionate for style.” Oliver, a broadcast journalist and presenter at IRIE FM made mention of how “innovative, humble,ambitious and hardworking” Roberts was. She also highlighted the love Roberts had for her family, especially her son for whom she wanted the best. “She is irreplaceable, well-loved and will be missed”, she said.
And CEO of Joey’s Photo Studio, Paul Henry said: “As a friend and a sister for the past 25 years, Lisa inspired me to be my best. Her calm, sweet disposition has her planted forever in my heart and I’ll miss her beautiful and contagious smile. Lisa was the perfect lady in all areas. She was a wonderful human being with a heart of gold.” He thanked her spouse Horace Bailey, also called Wayne for the support he had given to her. “My highest respect to Wayne, for his tireless and selfless commitment to her especially during her illness. Big up my brother. I also realize that in his previous interview with the North Coast Times, he may have unintentionally offended a few persons with a comment. I know he meant no ill will as in our time of grief we may suffer from mild confusion of thought. Let us all respect Wayne and Lisa and move on.
I’ll miss Lisa very much. Rest well my sister.”
MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS
And Mr Bailey made available a post mortem report he received from the hospital the day after the funeral.
It said the provisional clinical diagnosis of the illness was polymyositis. However the test results indicated “an unequivocal diagnosis cannot be rendered…”
It detailed the test results, thus: “Sections show skeletal muscle with widespread necrosis of muscle fibres. Phagocytosis of many of these necrotic fibres is evident. Inflammation which is the hallmark of polymyositis is not present. The extent of the inflammation in polymyositis is variable and may be absent in some biopsies. The changes present are thus supportive of polymyositis but an unequivocal diagnosis cannot be rendered especially considering that necrosis can also be associated with myopathies and occasionally acute or chronic neuropathies. Clinical correlation necessary.”
Consultant pathologist was Dr Garfield Blake
The Mayo Clinic defines Polymyositis (pol-e-my-o-SY-tis) as “an uncommon inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness affecting both sides of your body. Polymyositis can make it difficult to climb stairs, rise from a seated position, lift objects or reach overhead.”
“Polymyositis most commonly affects adults in their 30s, 40s or 50s. It’s more common in blacks than in whites, and women are affected more often than men. Polymyositis signs and symptoms usually develop gradually, over weeks or months. While there is no cure for polymyositis, treatment — ranging from medications to physical therapy — can improve your muscle strength and function.
“The exact cause of polymyositis is unknown, but the disease shares many characteristics with autoimmune disorders, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body tissues.”
This however is an online definition that does not necessarily specify the detailed medical symptoms seen in a particular patient.
