AsBritney Spearscontinuesreceiving treatment amid her father’s recoveryfrom a life-threatening colon rupture, a Spears family insider tells PEOPLE her choice to seek help comes after a trying few years.
“She wants to be well so she can be with her boys and continue to perform,” says the source of Spears, 37, who sharessons Sean, 13, and Jayden, 12, withex-husband Kevin Federline, 41. “She is allowed to have whatever reason she wants to take time off for her mental health.”
Then late last yearJamie suffered a life-threatening colon rupture; his hospitalization and subsequent surgeries have taken an emotional toll on Spears, adds the source.
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“The recovery is slow, but he is getting better. Everyone has been worried sick. His condition seemed so frail, but Jamie is strong,” says the source of his current condition.
When he first entered the hospital, Spears “was absolutely devastated and out-of-mind worried,” continues the source. “To ask her to keep up with her shows while worrying about her dad is not anything the people that love her would ask.”
While gearing up for a return to the Las Vegas strip with her showDominationafter taking her wildly successful Vegas showBritney: Piece of Meon tour last summer, Spears announced that she was taking an indefinite break from work in January to support her father.
“I don’t even know where to start with this, because this is so tough for me to say,” Spears wrote in an emotional tweet, posting an old photo of her posing with both her parents, Jamie, 66, and Lynne, 63. “I will not be performing my new showDomination. I’ve been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart.”
“[My father and I] have a very special relationship and I want to be with my family at this time just like they have always been there for me,” she added in a statement to PEOPLE.
Britney Spears/Twitter
“Ever since Britney has been under the conservatorship, the focus has been on keeping her healthy,” says the source. “There was a reason a conservatorship was needed and there is a reason it has continued. It’s to protect Britney and make sure she continues to do well.”
Over the last decade, the singer has “received treatment, seen a psychiatrist and other doctors,” says the source, who adds that Spears has been on board with her treatment plan. “This is something she wants to do.”
And at the end of the day, her loved ones just want her to continue living a healthy and happy life. Says the source: “The most important thing is that Britney is feeling better.”
source: people.com
