Swine Flu Blamed For Thurston County Man's Death

Complications from swine flu killed a Thurston County man whose death authorities first reported on Friday, health officials told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Richard Thompson.

Health officials on Friday said 29-year-old Barry Bender was recovering from influenza when he developed fatal complications.

Bender’s wife, Joanna, said her husband initially went to the hospital after developing flu-like symptoms.

Barry was a long haul trucker who suspected he might have swine flu, but he seemed to be improving and then he couldn't breathe, Joanna said.

"The doctor came in and said they had trouble getting a pulse," Joanna said. “I let out the most ear piercing scream I had ever done in my life."

She said doctors allowed her to be in the room as they performed CPR on him.

She said she held his hand and “I told him how much I loved him and how much of a good father he was and he was my best friend."

Officially Barry died from an embolism, a fatal complication as he recovered from what the health department confirms was swine flu.

Joanna said her husband was a strong man with a great life. The couple has four children.

"I wouldn't want another family to experience the tragedy that we've had. Our life has been completely torn apart," Joanna said. “My best friend is gone and the kids’ dad is gone and my confidant and my provider and its gone, and nothing will ever be the same."

"I would say do what you can to protect yourself," she said.

WATCH IT: Victim's Wife Has Emotional Plea For Everyone

In the past few days, Joanna's son has also developed flu symptoms. She said she is keeping monitoring him and said everyone in her family will get the swine flu vaccine as soon as they can.

Other Swine Flu Deaths In State:

A 5-month-old boy from Pasco has died at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane of complications from the swine flu.

The Benton-Franklin Health District said it is the first child to die of swine flu in the state. The district said the child had serious underlying health conditions.

A 67-year-old Whatcom County woman with multiple medical conditions died Wednesday from causes other than influenza, but officials said her death will be recorded as the first influenza-associated death in the county.

The woman was admitted to St. Joseph Hospital last week and was diagnosed with regular influenza A, said Josh Bates of Whatcom County.

He said she probably had H1N1 as 91 percent of influenza A is H1N1.

On Tuesday, Kitsap County health officials reported that a Kitsap County man in his 50s died Sunday from swine flu, the first reported swine flu death in that county.

Swine flu claimed its fifth victim in Pierce County over the weekend, the Tacoma News Tribune reported. The man, who was in his 70s and suffered other health problems, died on Saturday.

Previous Stories: October 20, 2009: First H1N1 Influenza Death In Kitsap County October 20, 2009: King County Opening H1N1 Vaccination Clinics October 9, 2009: First Shipments Of Swine Flu Vaccine Arrive October 8, 2009: Thurston Schools Suffer Apparent Swine Flu Outbreak August 12, 2009: Pregnant Puyallup Woman Who Had Swine Flu Dies June 15, 2009: King County Reports First Swine Flu Death June 5, 2009: Second Washington Death Linked to H1N1 Flu