Brittany Lawrence's Road to Recovery

My beautiful sister Brittany is currently in the hospital recovering from a life-threatening infection and multiple surgeries to save her life and leg, and is now facing a long road to recovery. She could use your help.

This all started with a seemingly innocuous event: she banged her shin while at the gym, and ten days later, the wound became exposed. Within 24 hours, her leg was completely swollen and she was in unbearable pain. Vomiting from the pain, kind of pain. On the evening of Saturday, August 17, 2024 she went into the hospital.

When she was finally triaged, she was given an X-ray and ultrasound, and put on a myriad of antibiotics and pain killers (none of which worked). Despite this, she was almost discharged from the hospital, and I thank all my grandparents in the afterlife who persuaded the doctor to look at her one more time.

Eventually, an infectious disease specialist was brought on to the team, who saw her for all of 30 seconds and insisted she be taken down to surgery. Swabs confirmed her wound had become infected with Strep A, which is resistant to antibiotics and caused necrotizing fasciitis—flesh eating bacteria. Her first surgery was Tuesday evening (August 20th), and we now know this saved her life.

Over the next week, she had four more surgeries to continue removing the infection, which means she has lost a large portion of her right calf. This needs to heal before she'll be transferred to another hospital to begin the reconstruction process, starting with multiple skin grafts.

We have no idea how long this will take, or what kind of mobility she will have. We were told that 1 in 3 people die from this infection, and most lose their limbs. She is now a case study for survivors.

Most importantly, she is the world's GREATEST mom to three INCREDIBLE boys (one of whom has special needs), ages 12, 10, and 8. She was devastated to miss their first day back to school, but the boys know she needs to take care of herself now.

Many people are asking how they can help. We know this will be a long, expensive road. She won't be able to work. She will need several more surgeries, and all kinds of therapy—both physical and mental. Social workers have told us that from an insurance perspective, it would have been better if she'd lost the leg. There are all kinds of financial unknowns, and if we can ease the burden a bit, I know her family would greatly appreciate it.

I just want her to see how much she is loved.

Keep defying the odds, sister. Copper Boom.