Please Stay Strong - A Fundraiser for Levi Britton
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family,
Many of you know that Levi has been ill, and his family has received many thoughtful texts and calls wishing him well, and they are so thankful! For those that are not aware, or maybe who do not know the entire story, here is a summary to fill you in.
A few weeks before Christmas Levi began to have some flu-like symptoms, though it was quickly realized that these were far more intense than an average bout of the flu. He was experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite, chills, and profuse night sweats, which all led to the swelling and bruising of his legs. He was immediately sent to the ER where he spent seven days, ultimately receiving the news that he has Endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. This has caused a severe infection that has deteriorated his mitral valve and that has resulted in vegetations (emboli), or growths, on his heart. The vegetation can come loose and break off, settling in other parts of the body and wreaking havoc wherever it lands. The loose pieces can lodge in veins and arteries, cutting off blood flow and killing tissue. The doctors call these ‘embolic episodes’, and they believe that even before this first hospital stay Levi had one in his finger, in his toe, and then a ‘shower’ of them in his brain causing a medical stroke.
Receiving all of this information was obviously very scary and overwhelming, and it was that much more difficult given that it was almost Christmas and it looked like Levi would need to be in the hospital for his birthday (Christmas Eve) and Christmas day. However, the doctors worked their Christmas magic and he was able to spend the holidays at home with his family and his two little boys, while he received antibiotics to clear up the heart infection. Unfortunately, two days after Christmas Levi began to have severe leg pain which led to a trip to the ER. A loose piece of the vegetation had broken off and traveled to his leg. The piece was so large (almost two inches long) that it blocked his femoral artery. Levi immediately had surgery which was successful in removing the emboli and relieving his pain.
All of this brought Levi and his family to the point where they needed make some very important decisions. The damaged heart valve was leaking and needed to be repaired or replaced, however the infection in his heart was not completely resolved. Yet, if they waited to do the surgery, they would run the risk of another embolic episode, which if the loose vegetation traveled to his brain could cause stroke, paralysis, or worse. There was not a perfect decision, and after much discussion, thought, and prayer, they decided that risking another embolic episode was just too dangerous.
Levi underwent open heart surgery on January 10th at Munson Medical Center to repair the valve. As of this writing, he is in recovery and the procedure went well! As he continues to recover, Levi will be unable to work for at least three months. In addition to the emotional stress that he and his family are feeling during this time, there is a great deal of financial stress as well – from the mounting medical bills to the day-to-day bills as he recovers.
This GoFundMe page is being started as a way to support Levi, his loving wife Annie, and their wonderful family. Anyone who has met Levi, even briefly, can tell that they are in the presence of a truly special person. Levi’s love for his wife and kids, his family and his friends, is boundless. Levi exudes passion in all areas of his life, and he has touched so many people in his 39 years – both through his music and through his amazingly authentic and generous heart. Please consider donating to support Levi during this time – any amount at all would be deeply appreciated.
We will update this page with news of his recovery! In the meantime, thank you for your generosity, your love, and your prayers. Levi cannot wait to be out and performing for you again!
Many of you know that Levi has been ill, and his family has received many thoughtful texts and calls wishing him well, and they are so thankful! For those that are not aware, or maybe who do not know the entire story, here is a summary to fill you in.
A few weeks before Christmas Levi began to have some flu-like symptoms, though it was quickly realized that these were far more intense than an average bout of the flu. He was experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite, chills, and profuse night sweats, which all led to the swelling and bruising of his legs. He was immediately sent to the ER where he spent seven days, ultimately receiving the news that he has Endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. This has caused a severe infection that has deteriorated his mitral valve and that has resulted in vegetations (emboli), or growths, on his heart. The vegetation can come loose and break off, settling in other parts of the body and wreaking havoc wherever it lands. The loose pieces can lodge in veins and arteries, cutting off blood flow and killing tissue. The doctors call these ‘embolic episodes’, and they believe that even before this first hospital stay Levi had one in his finger, in his toe, and then a ‘shower’ of them in his brain causing a medical stroke.
Receiving all of this information was obviously very scary and overwhelming, and it was that much more difficult given that it was almost Christmas and it looked like Levi would need to be in the hospital for his birthday (Christmas Eve) and Christmas day. However, the doctors worked their Christmas magic and he was able to spend the holidays at home with his family and his two little boys, while he received antibiotics to clear up the heart infection. Unfortunately, two days after Christmas Levi began to have severe leg pain which led to a trip to the ER. A loose piece of the vegetation had broken off and traveled to his leg. The piece was so large (almost two inches long) that it blocked his femoral artery. Levi immediately had surgery which was successful in removing the emboli and relieving his pain.
All of this brought Levi and his family to the point where they needed make some very important decisions. The damaged heart valve was leaking and needed to be repaired or replaced, however the infection in his heart was not completely resolved. Yet, if they waited to do the surgery, they would run the risk of another embolic episode, which if the loose vegetation traveled to his brain could cause stroke, paralysis, or worse. There was not a perfect decision, and after much discussion, thought, and prayer, they decided that risking another embolic episode was just too dangerous.
Levi underwent open heart surgery on January 10th at Munson Medical Center to repair the valve. As of this writing, he is in recovery and the procedure went well! As he continues to recover, Levi will be unable to work for at least three months. In addition to the emotional stress that he and his family are feeling during this time, there is a great deal of financial stress as well – from the mounting medical bills to the day-to-day bills as he recovers.
This GoFundMe page is being started as a way to support Levi, his loving wife Annie, and their wonderful family. Anyone who has met Levi, even briefly, can tell that they are in the presence of a truly special person. Levi’s love for his wife and kids, his family and his friends, is boundless. Levi exudes passion in all areas of his life, and he has touched so many people in his 39 years – both through his music and through his amazingly authentic and generous heart. Please consider donating to support Levi during this time – any amount at all would be deeply appreciated.
We will update this page with news of his recovery! In the meantime, thank you for your generosity, your love, and your prayers. Levi cannot wait to be out and performing for you again!
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Cormier
Organizer
Traverse City, MI
Annie Britton - O'Mara
Beneficiary