In December of 2016, Brittney was diagnosed with Gastroparesis, a medical disorder that causes weak muscular contractions of the stomach resulting in food remaining in the stomach for a prolonged period of time. Brittney has a severe case of gastroparesis with her stomach taking over 50 hours to empty food. Some cases are curable within a few weeks; however, Brittney’s case is complicated by her other autoimmune disorders rendering her condition to be potentially fatal.  Over the past 3 years, she has endured over 30 hospital stays and 20 surgeries.  Also, during this time, Brittney has gone into septic shock 6 times having to fight for her life. By God’s grace, she has come through continuing to fight for the life she once knew.

Brittney has both a feeding tube and central line in order to keep her stable. She is continuously connected to devices to keep her alive and well.   With over 30 hospitalizations, she clearly hasn’t had the quality of life of an average 30 year old. She has missed holidays with family, experiences with friends, and just everyday normal life.  God has blessed Brittney with a very loving community and for that she is beyond grateful. It is what keeps her fighting every day.

As an ambitious, hard-working, independent 30 year old, Brittney had to live close to her parents, when this began at the end of 2016.  At this time, she is also unable to work due to the extensive time spent in the hospital.

Doctors aren’t sure what caused this condition, but after treating Brittney for the past 3 years, they are recommending a surgery which is considered a humanitarian surgery by the FDA where a pacemaker is inserted into the stomach in hopes of stimulating the stomach muscles to contract hard enough to push food out.  Ideally, the success of this surgery would allow the permanent feeding tube, which has caused so many of her current infections and surgeries to be removed.

After careful consideration, Brittney desires a better quality of life and wants to have the surgery.  Due to the procedure being humanitarian, it is considered by insurance to be experimental with no guarantees. Gastroparesis is categorized as a rare disease so any surgery to correct it is considered experimental and insurance will not cover the cost of the surgery or any potential follow up surgeries.  She and her doctors have appealed her case to no avail. 

Brittney is absolutely amazed by the outpouring of love she and her family have been shown.  Many of you have asked what you can do and Brittney is so appreciative of your kindness.  Some of us have visited her.  Others have brought meals to her family and even more have lifted the family in prayer.  They are beyond grateful for the love they have been shown from the community they have built since moving to Nashville.

For those of you who would like to support through giving, we have created an avenue to do so.  To be able to have a chance at a better quality of life by having the surgery and peace of mind knowing that the medical expenses will be provisioned is such a blessing.  The family can focus on getting Brittney well again.

We created this avenue to help fund this surgery in response to the outpouring of love that friends, family and neighbors have shown through requests to help in some way.

We ask for your prayers as Brittney continues to have ongoing medical issues due to her condition.   We pray for funding for the surgery and that it will be successful without further impact to her young life.  We hope that Brittney will be able to continue to pursue her career and get back to living life, not having to constantly worry about her health and it slowing her down.

We are so grateful for the love and support shown to Brittney over the past few years and believe through faith that The Lord will provide a way for her to have the surgery and it be successful early in the new year.   

With love,

Friends of Brittney