On Wednesday December 2nd Brett was life flighted to Pittsburgh for a infectious blood clot in his pulmonary valve. For those that don't know Brett had two open heart surgeries when he was three months-old and 4 years old repairing abnormalities (tetralogy of fallot with pulmonary atresia) in his heart that he was born with, that and the critical nature of his illness is the reason he was sent to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Once arriving in Pittsburgh doctors discovered Brett had a very serious blood infection that was causing the conduit (repair) in his heart to block and "throw" clots, this blockage was also affecting the blood flow to other organs in his body causing Brett to be very sick. On Thursday morning, doctors decided it would be best to replace the conduit in his heart, Brett underwent open heart surgery that afternoon. During surgery they replaced the conduit and also removed a lobe of lung that looked like it could cause another collapse (he had a collapsed lung a few years ago).  After surgery Thursday night doctors noticed Brett was loosing a lot of blood through his chest tube drains, they re-opened his surgical site Friday morning to re-evaluate his repair sites. Doctors realized the infection was causing Brett's blood to not clot appropriately, many blood and platelet transfusions, along with changes in medications were made. Since then, Brett is improving daily in the cardiac ICU. This was/is very unexpected on our family and we greatly appreciate all the love, well wishes, and prayers Brett has received. We do not know how long Brett will be in the hospital and bills don't stop for unexpected life events. My mom has been by Brett's side since arriving in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night, and her husband, Matt, has been driving back and forth for visits. I know it is a hard time right now with Christmas right around the corner and people's lives being affected still because of COVID but anything would greatly help Brett get back on his feet and help relieve some stress once he is home. He is only allowed two visitors while he is in the hospital due to hospital COVID policy (my mom and Matt) so I figured this is something I could help with from afar. Even if it just helps get the word out for more prayers and well wishes. 

Thank you again to everyone that has reached out to myself and my family, we truly appreciate it. Everyone have a happy and healthy Christmas.

Rashel