The eldest and most accomplished of the famed Braxton singing siblings informed the public that she nearly lost her life before undergoing heart surgery.
Toni Braxton, 55, the legendary sultry singer who has belted out a litany of classics including “Un-break My Heart,” “Another Sad Love Song” and “Breathe Again,” told the “Today” show that her systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis nearly led to a heart attack.
“It (was) put in at a really, really scary moment,” the singer shared, saying the whole episode was horrifying and “surreal.”
“I just thought it was sadness,” Braxton said on the show. “It turned out to be much more serious, and I just dismissed the signs … and a lot of people tend to do that.”
At first, the eldest Braxton sibling said she missed a doctor’s appointment after experiencing chest pains. But when she finally booked an examination, the physician told Braxton she needed a stint put in with all deliberate speed.
“A couple days after they did the procedure they told me that it was touch and go,” she told hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. The singer went on to say that if she had skipped that doctor’s appointment she would have had a widowmaker heart attack, which occurs when the biggest artery in your heart is blocked.
“I would have had a massive heart attack and would not have survived,” she said.
Braxton has had to deal with maladies in the past. In 2008, she was diagnosed with lupus, though she did not reveal the ailment until 2010 because of shame and fear she would be ostracized.
Soon, however, Braxton learned she made the right decision to divulge her disease
“It’s so empowering when people come up to me and say, ‘I have lupus, too, and you’ve helped me so much,’” she says.
Lupus does place limitations on her performance schedule, however.
“It gets challenging for me because I know I’ll never be able to do a show seven days again,” she said on the popular program. Nevertheless, Braxton is “proud of herself” and said the “tough self-love” she imposed on herself early in her career has helped her navigate life’s obstacles.
4 Responses
OMGOODNESS, Miss Toni please take care of yourself and your health. You have fans that just love you to pieces. Take some time for yourself and be aware of your health. Keep those appointments with your Doctor’s. Performing is your livelihood, and staying alive is your Destiny… Love ya Toni.
July 18, 2014 I was woke up at 3:00am by a severe pain in the middle of my back. I thought it was gas. I started to lay back down and go back to sleep. However the universe said to me you need to go to the hospital. I immediately contacted my sister to come take me to the hospital. My sister came to pick me up. The hospital is only ten minutes from my home. When I got into her car I must of only been in the car for 5 minutes and I died. When she got to the hospital she ran in to get a doctor. The doctor laid me on the hospital grounds and recessitated me. They placed me on a Gurnee and I died again. I was in a coma for eight days. During this time the doctors told my 2 daughters to find a rehab to place me in. Because I would be in a vegetable state the rest of my life in which they did. On the 8th day I woke up out of the coma . I was very alert , I knew every visitor in my room and the only problem I was having is not knowing why I was in the hospital. My doctor could not believe any of this. He calls me until today his miracle patient. I can only sum up this to I’m a praying woman whom always pray for self and others. During this time I had a lot of conversation with my God. One of the main question I ask God is why am I still here. Simply because after my incident I have gone to five different funerals where as the same thing happened to these individuals. The response I would always here from my God is that I have much more work for you to do. I was always one to help and serve others. It has been intensified 20 times since my heart attack. We must truly realize when you help someone you are truly helping oneself. Every day is a blessing Everyday. Women/Men please get your physicals and your heart checked out. It will only be a Benefit/Blessing to your life.
I am praying for a speedy recovery for her
Hi Toni. I am praying for you to have a speedy recovery. I have Lupus, heart attack, and on dialysis three days week. I have stents put in and now peacemaker and dibulator. May God continues to bless u