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Campaign Details
Brittany Johnson suffered a stroke on the evening of 1/18/22 as the result of a breakthrough COVID Infection. Her husband's quick thinking probably saved her life. Brittany was first ambulanced to one hospital and then air-evac'd to another. She was in the ICU. Due to the stroke, Brittany was temporarily paralyzed and lost her ability to speak. She has since regained the movement of her arms and legs. However, she continues to suffer neurological issues including aphasia. It is unknown when she can return to work, and there is likely a long and difficult road of rehabilitation and physical/speech therapies ahead. We have and will continue to regularly update on Brittany's progress here.
So many have asked how they can help Brittany and her family. More than anything, they need financial assistance as this could not have come at a worse time. In December 2021, Brittany had an emergency appendectomy and was required to pay her $5,000 insurance deductible. Now, she will need to pay ANOTHER $5,000 insurance deductible in 2022. In addition, Brittany started a new job in November of 2021, and had already taken off significant time due to her appendectomy, loss of a family member, and COVID. Brittany's recovery and treatment will take months. During that time it is unlikely she will be able to bring in funds to meet the family's needs. Her husband, Tom, is a teacher. He is also not going to receive paid leave if he is absent from work to care for Brittany.
Brittany is the mother of two beautiful children and a loving wife, as well as a caring daughter and sister. Please consider helping this family during this difficult time. Your funds will go directly to them to pay for their insurance deductible, and alleviate the stress and burden of the family's monthly expenses while Brittany (and possibly Tom) are not earning an income. Every donation, large or small, will make a difference.
Thank you for your generosity and support.
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Updates
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Update
Update from the Family
Brittany had another, smaller, stroke on the February 7th. Launi took her to the hospital so that Tom could stay with the kids. At the hospital they ran many tests, and it has taken some time to find answers as this should not have happened again. Today we learned that there is a hole in Brittanys heart. This condition is not entirely abnormal and about 25% of people have it. However, it will require a surgery to repair the hole and the family is scheduled to meet with a cardiologist tomorrow. Hopefully, this will ensure there are no future strokes and Brittany can focus on her recovery.
As for Brittanys recovery, it is slow but hopeful. She requires a great deal more sleep and rest during the day than ever before and there are many medical appointments she must attend (6-10 during the week). Her symptoms are many and vary from unsteady balance to being unable to read and understand more than a sentence. Brittany has significant depth perception issue and light/motion sensitivity. Her recovery period will be many months and it will be about 10 months before she can even drive.
Launi, Brittanys grandma, Toms mom (Patrice), and other family members help in any way they can, especially in transporting Brittany to her many appointments and therapies, as well as taking care of the kids. They are all trying to keep things as normal as possible for the kids, Patrice is doing amazing with that. So many friends have stepped in to help with the filing of disability documents, counseling of the kids, bringing food, cleaning the house, yard work, and helping guide Brittany with their similar experiences. The family is overwhelmed with the amazing ways people have stepped in.
The family is continually thankful for your incredible love, prayers, support, and generosity. Without this fund, Brittanys family would be under a great deal of stress and financial hardship as she cannot work. Every amount helps and will help Brittany as she travels down this long road.
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Update
TO TOM FROM BRITTANYDuring a traumatic event;He was calm.He kept me calm.He spoke softly.He was diligent.He recognized the seriousness.He was quick to call 911He was composed.He was comforting.HE SAVED MY LIFE.I am so lucky and thankful for my partner in life. He has been protective, supportive, and patient. He keeps me laughing every single day and shows me grace and compassion.I know he is exhausted. He is emotionally drained and has moments of breakdowns too. I cannot imagine how scared he was. I was just laying there, but he had to take action. I was scared to die but he was scared to lose me. Its another kind of pain and trauma.While everyone is praying for my recovery, Im praying for his.
Thank you Tom, and thank you all for your support and love. Every little bit helps us right now and we genuinely need it.
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Update
Family Update (From Launi, Blake, Kade, Tom & Brittany)
Brittany is allowing us to post her brain scan. It appears there is 1 massive stroke area and three smaller areas. We learned this from her Neurology appointment today.
Update from Blake (Brittany’s Daughter): She missed her mom. Blake was awake when the paramedics came and Dad comforted her. Dad doesn’t do a good job at lunch, and there’s too much peanut butter and no strawberries. It’s “all messed up”. Blake is excited to have her mom home and snuggled her arm all night long. Also, she reports that Grandma and Dad did a good job comforting her.
Update from Kade (Brittany’s Son): Kade was scared. But Dad told him some really cool scientific facts, so he thinks the human body is pretty cool. When the human tissue dies, the neurons will forge a new pathway to get where it needs to go. That comforts him. He was quiet, at school – which is rare. And he helped tidy at home – also rare. Kade and Blake bickered a lot. They did not know how to put words to their emotions after this event. But they are both HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY now (as Blake said)!
Update from Tom (Brittany’s Husband): He's emotionally exhausted. Seriously emotionally exhausted. So thankful. They are joking with a lot of the "too soon" stuff.
Update from Brittany (with insight from Launi): Where to even start . . . if you were to see Brittany on the street and didn't know her, I'm not sure you could tell there was anything wrong. But there's a lot going on for her. She saw the neurologist today who was stunned at the amount of scaring in Brittany's brain. There is one big area and three smaller places where there is permanent brain damage. The doctor said Brittany won't really know what the full extent of the damage is for a while. But also talked to her about the importance of trying really hard during all of her rehabilitation. He says the next 90 days will be so important. Brittany needs to work hard, but rest in between and give her brain a break . . . which Brittany has a difficult time doing.
Brittany is struggling, psychologically. She is having some depression and nightmares. Both are normal and she will be seeing a trauma therapist. Of course, she is thrilled to be home. Usually she is going and thinking at 100 mph. Now she can maybe go and think at 5 mph. She still doesn't know how to just "be.” That is something she is working on
Brittany has met new friends who are young and have had strokes, too. I (Launi) think it is so so helpful for her to make these connections.
The family is forever grateful for all your prayers and love. Every donation, big or small, has made such a difference in their lives and meant so much to all of them. Thank you for supporting Brittany, Tom, Kade, and Blake. Please continue to share this fundraiser.
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Update
UPDATE FROM LAUNI (BRITTANY’S MOTHER):
She's home! Everyone is so happy and relieved. She has promised to take care of herself and focus on healing now! She is very uncomfortable/nervous without 24/7 monitoring by nurses. They implanted a monitor into her chest that auto sends information to her cardiologist.
Brittany’s recovery is very interesting. Tom asked her how many pieces of toast she wanted, and she just stared at him. He asked if she was ok. She was, but she is unable to make even simple decisions like deciding between 1 or 2 pieces. She chose 1. I think that was a mistake. Ha!
She can't drive, cook, or work. She freezes up and cannot make decisions that would/could save her life.
It's interesting, because looking at her and talking to her, you might not really notice anything "off,”. But then you ask her what she wants to eat, and you get a deer in the headlights look. Brain damage is so weird.
The kids are showing her how happy they are to have her home by being super hyper and bouncing off walls. She’s so happy to snuggle with them.
Thank you all again for your love, prayers, and support. It really means so much. Your financial gifts are making it possible for her to recover without the immediate stress of finances.
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Update
UPDATE FROM TOM (Brittany's Husband)
We checked in the Tom today. He's feeling thankful but exhausted. The clot that gave Brit the stroke was really rare in that is was formed in an artery and not in a leg or lung. So they are trying to figure out why. Brittany goes in for a TEE today at which time they will look for a hole in the back of her heart. They will also insert a monitor under her skin to monitor her heart. (He still needs to get more information from the doctor about that.)
He's trying to keep busy because when he let's his mind idle he has breakdown moments. So much going through his head and he's really not sleeping. He's so thankful that Brit is going to recover. And of course, he knows how blessed he was that everything went the way it did to give Brit the best possible chance for recovery. But he's still worried. He is also concerned that the even though they have a $5000 max deductible, maybe the helicopter ambulance will not be covered. He has a million things going through his mind. He appreciates everyone reaching out and helping. He is so thankful for that. His mom, Patricia, is helping with the kids. She has been a godsend.
He said the kids are doing ok. They don't outwardly comment about being scared or worried about Brit, but their behavior evidences their concern. Blake is clingy to Tom and she gets agitated easily and has meltdowns that were uncommon before. Kade asks questions, and is thoughtful about what Tom tells him. He also seems to have a shorter fuse which is unusual. So they are presenting their concern like kids do. They miss their momma and Tom misses his Brittany.
Brittany's siblings, Cody and Jaiden were having a very difficult time and were extremely concerned until they spoke with Brittany. Brittany is so upbeat and has such a positive attitude, she has helped alleviate everyone's fear. She knows she has a long road to recovery, but she is up for the challenge and is ready to work on her health.
Again, the family is so thankful for everyone's support. We will keep you updated.
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Update
UPDATE FROM TOM (Brittany's Husband)
We checked in the Tom today. He's feeling thankful but exhausted. The clot that gave Brit the stroke was really rare in that is was formed in an artery and not in a leg or lung. So they are trying to figure out why. Brittany goes in for a TEE today at which time they will look for a hole in the back of her heart. They will also insert a monitor under her skin to monitor her heart. (He still needs to get more information from the doctor about that.)
He's trying to keep busy because when he let's his mind idle he has breakdown moments. So much going through his head and he's really not sleeping. He's so thankful that Brit is going to recover. And of course, he knows how blessed he was that everything went the way it did to give Brit the best possible chance for recovery. But he's still worried. He is also concerned that the even though they have a $5000 max deductible, maybe the helicopter ambulance will not be covered. He has a million things going through his mind. He appreciates everyone reaching out and helping. He is so thankful for that. His mom, Patricia, is helping with the kids. She has been a godsend.
He said the kids are doing ok. They don't outwardly comment about being scared or worried about Brit, but their behavior evidences their concern. Blake is clingy to Tom and she gets agitated easily and has meltdowns that were uncommon before. Kade asks questions, and is thoughtful about what Tom tells him. He also seems to have a shorter fuse which is unusual. So they are presenting their concern like kids do. They miss their momma and Tom misses his Brittany.
Brittany's siblings, Cody and Jaiden were having a very difficult time and were extremely concerned until they spoke with Brittany. Brittany is so upbeat and has such a positive attitude, she has helped alleviate everyone's fear. She knows she has a long road to recovery, but she is up for the challenge and is ready to work on her health.
Again, the family is so thankful for everyone's support. We will keep you updated.
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Update
UPDATE FROM LAUNI SHELDON (BRITTANY’S MOM)
Thank you to those of you who have reached out and to those of you who have donated. We have had several people ask about the food train. We are waiting until Brittany gets released to get that started . . . so we don’t know when it will begin.
After having another MRI, turns out Brittany had one large clot, which caused the major stroke; that was seen in the MRI when she first arrived at the hospital. They gave her TPA, a medication to break-up/dissolve clots. They then flew her to Scottsdale Osborn and rushed her into surgery to extract the clot. However, by the time they got in there, the TPA had broken and dissolved the clot so she ended up with two smaller clots that caused two smaller strokes. There is permanent scaring. However, the neurologists believe that her brain will rewire itself to compensate for the damage, because she is so young.
SHE IS OUT OF ICU!!! YAY. She has her own bathroom, which she is super excited about and is able to go the bathroom all by herself.
Her words are coming back, sometimes better than others. She still has issues with her vision and the feeling on her right side in muted, although she can move all her libs. . She will need much rehabilitation – Occupational, Neuro-Visual, and Speech.
They are trying to take blood from her. Unfortunately, she has very difficult veins and her blood is still super thick and is clotting. So they get one vial and it clots. She hates having blood drawn because they always have problems getting it, so it was very emotional, and she was very upset. ? She could really use some prayers about this.
They are going to do a scope down her throat to see if they can find how the clots happened. They appear to have come from an artery, but her heart EKG and ECHO seemed clear. So they are trying to figure that out. When she stands her blood pressure drops as does her oxygen level. So still some stuff to figure out.
Brittany, Tom, and the kids are so grateful for your kind thoughts and generosity. Brittany sends her love and thanks to each and every one of you!
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