Everyone my little brother was taken to the hospital earlier he collapsed at home and then was flown to St Louis they think he had an acute stroke so if you would please keep him in your thoughts and prayers I would greatly appreciate it...

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Hope everything works out, DJ -

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Thinking of you and him. For strength And a speedy recovery.

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Update, they had to do surgery on a neck artery. He is in recovery now, but it will be two hours before anyone can see him.

Don't know anything more, don't know short term or long term ar this point.

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Keep us updated man. We pulling for him.

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OK, before I turn in, this is what is going on.

Apparently around the time I got to work at 10AM EST here in NY, my Brother collapsed in his bedroom in Illinois. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where they believed he had had an acute stroke.

He was flown to St. Louis and had surgery on his carotid artery. Something about a blocked artery and blood clot(s) and not knowing if was heart related or just a blood clot.

As of two hours ago, they thought he might have to go back in and have them take another look to make sure they got everything.

He was tired, aware he was in the hospital, and knew his wife was there with him.

More tests tomorrow, including CT scans, etc. He was given TPA (clot buster). Has neuro deficit on right side and aphasia.

He is 42. Found out today that one side of my family has Leiden Factor Five in their history, so he will be tested for that.

The last time I saw him he had lost a lot of weight (that was 2018). I guess the best way to describe him was he could have cosplayed as the Big Bossman before losing the weight and watching his health. Not sure if waht else might be factoring in.

Anyway, I am not sure what tomorrow will bring or what his recovery will be.

He works for the Irwin Seating Company in Illinois and has worked on materials that have been used to build the Vikings Stadium, a venue near Miramar, a venue in Moscow, and several othe projects.

He is involved in woodworking to model railroading, so there is a lot of carryover between our hobbies.

I'm am trying very hard to be positive. My Mom is a former Firefighter, EMT and EMT Instructor, so she is more in the know to let me know. My Brother is also a former firefighter and EMT, so he will have a better understanding of his condition when they explain it to him. It's just a bit difficult right now knowing he is all the way in St. Louis and I'm here in Central NY. If I leave here to go see him, if I wanna come back in NY I would have to quarantine for 2 weeks.

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Please keep them coming and be relentless about it. I won't mind...

Thanks, guys...

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That is a whole lot to worry about. At least It sounds like he is in good hands so far.

I'll continue thinking of you both.

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Hoping for the best DJ

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Update: My Brother went through a battery of tests, and negatives came back.

PT had him up and walking on his own, with assistance at the ready. Still slurred speech.

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Glad to hear he's up and moving, seems like a really promising sign for recovery.

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Prayer changes things

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Up and walking is good. Always good.

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I posted this to Facebook about 20 minutes ago...

OK, for those of you that don't know already, my younger Brother, Scott Vantine, collapsed in his bedroom early Sunday morning as he was getting ready for church.

He was transported to the hospital by ambulance, and flown to St. Louis, and upon arrival underwent carotid artery surgery to repair a blockage.

It was believed he had suffered an acute stroke and was at some point given a TPA (clot buster drug).

Afterwards he was aware enough to know he was in the hospital, that something had happened, and recognized his Wife. He had slurred speach and neuro deficit on the right side. They were not sure surgery had gotten everything and might have to go back in.

Monday involved numerous CT scans and other tests. He had increased movement in his feet, legs, and hands. He was weak, but PT had him upright and walking with assistance later (side-shuffled and some stairs).

Today I am told that there was a carotid artery tear, not a clot. If I understand what was described it was an issue from the heart area that went through the artery, catching in the neck. There were blood clots in the brain and brain damage, the extent of which it is too soon to tell.

He may be in the hospital for another few days before being moved to a rehab unit for 10-14 days, depending, and will be out of work indefinitely at this point.

Some of you may know this info already. It's been kinda crazy, obviously.

Once I have been given updates, I will pass along what I learn.

The family would appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Thank you...

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Thursday update: Got a call this afternoon from my SIL. They were driving my Brother to a rehab facility to start his, well, rehab there. I was surprised they were driving him on their own, but apparently he has improved enough that being transported by private car was okay.

I also got to speak with him on the phone. He sounded better, but the majority of his answers were yes/no/mmmm. That was kinda frustrating as I don't know if that's him being him or if this is a side effect of the drugs/lack of sleep/circumstances/conditions/etc.

It's been a rough week so far and while I'm trying to go about my day, do what I gotta do, and put on a brave face, it's the not being able to fix this and the unknown/uncertainty that is bugging me on the inside.

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I will keep your family in my thoughts.