Litonya D. Bennett Live Life to Love

Dear friends and supporters,

My name is Tyrone Bennett, and I stand before you today praying for my wife Litonya Bennett. At 55 years old, she has faced numerous challenges and overcome them with the unwavering faith and determination to live and love!

Tonya is the fourth child of ten, but has long been the matriarch of all her close knit siblings and extended family. We have three daughters and one son, along with two precious grandchildren. After surviving breast cancer in 2015, Tonya was inspired to go back to college to earn her second bachelor’s degree in Nursing from U of D. Mercy in 2020. Tonya began her journey as a registered nurse (RN) at Ascension Providence in Southfield in Oncology or unit dedicated to patients with cancer and/or tumors, as she had previously been. This would allow her to walk in the Will of God by serving others in care and love.

April 26th, 2023 fate intervened as a coworker reached out to her, desperately seeking someone to cover her shift at the hospital. Without hesitation, Tonya decided to work in her place. Little did we know that this seemingly small decision would begin a chain of Divine Order, giving her life today.

During that shift, near the nurse's station, Tonya suddenly collapsed due to cardiac arrest. Thanks to the swift action of her beloved coworkers, CPR was administered tirelessly for an intense 48 minutes, including seven shocks from the defibrillator which proved to save her life. Nurses, doctors, PCTs all jumped into action to save a coworker and a friend. One individual following protocol questioned whether or not to call off rescue efforts after 30 minutes. Tonya’s coworkers, filled with love and determination, refused and pressed on for an additional 18 minutes. A pulse was discovered and Tonya was rushed to the ICU. In the ICU, an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine became her lifeline along with a ventilator, simultaneously functioning as an artificial heart and lung. The presence of the number one emergency response nurse that day proved instrumental in coordinating the life-saving efforts. And she too, was working an altered shift that night.

Together, Litonya and her coworkers fought against all odds!

The road to recovery was uncertain, as the doctors cautioned our family that the lack of oxygen to her brain during those critical moments might leave lasting effects. Words like “IF she wakes up” or “We have to see IF she recovers” did not scare this family! Miracles happen and our faith would not allow us to break! Litonya was able to open her eyes 12 hours after collapsing and give doctors a thumbs up! She showed signs of cognitive awareness just days after opening her eyes. On the fourth day, while she was staring at the wall, unable to talk being hooked up to a ventilator, Tonya wrote the word "BUG" like a kindergartener on a piece of paper because she was afraid it was going to land on her. Still unaware of the significance of that moment, she slowly but surely regained her strength. On the seventeenth day, she was released from the hospital, greeted by the applause and tears of the entire staff who had witnessed her remarkable journey.

Now, in the calm before the storm, we are facing a daunting challenge. Medical bills have already begun coming in. While I am temporarily unable to work as I care for my wife, we find ourselves uncertain of how we will manage to cover our daily needs, let alone the mounting medical expenses.

The outpouring of support and generosity we have received thus far has been overwhelming, and for that, we are eternally grateful. But as the storm of medical bills approaches, we humbly reach out to you all for assistance. For a family already grappling with the challenges of illness and changes of life, we are just looking for a little help!

If we had it any other way, we would take on this burden alone. However, every dollar brings us one step closer to regaining our financial stability and peace of mind. As devoted believers in the power of faith and community, we will forever be grateful for any assistance you can provide no matter the size.

Thank you from the depths of our hearts for your compassion, your prayers, and your unwavering support. Together, we can overcome this obstacle and continue spreading hope and love.