[bikerchic]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

Also, stress suppresses the immune system opening the door to disease. http://www.womensmedia.com/health-emotion.html

Exactly. I believe that is partly why Dana got the disease. She had to be completely stressed out and run down taking care of Christopher for nine years which then weakened her immune system. Then his death was the final toll that took any last strength she may have had to fight off this horrible disease.