Zante's March for Life

My brother, Jeff, is fighting for his life.

On Thursday, March 22, Jeff suffered a severe asthma attack which caused him to stop breathing. The actual cause of the attack is still unknown, but he has had a long history of suffering from asthma dating back to his early childhood.

It was a normal day for me. I was out at dinner and noticed a missed call from my mom.  When I called her back, she alerted me that Jeff had collapsed and unable to breathe.  

I rushed home just to find myself staring at emergency response vehicles. After 20 minutes of emergency CPR, we got a pulse which gave us hope that everything was going to be OK.

Once he was secured onto the stretcher, he was quickly transported to Evergreen Medical Center in Kirkland, WA, where he would receive emergency care.  Hours later, the doctor informed us that his heart had stopped beating a few times; once in the aid car and again after he arrived. CPR was administered each time.

Jeff was admitted to the ICU around 8:30pm that evening. The pulmonary doctor stated they would paralyze his body and administer hypothermia to cool his body from all the stress.

At 12:45AM, the attending physician updated us with Jeff's CT scan results of his brain and chest. His chest showed haziness and its cause was unknown, but stress from 30 minutes CPR, infection and inflammation may have been the major culprit.

Jeff's brain scan showed....what the physician stated at the time: “He won’t be the same person, if he wakes up from this.”  followed later with the statement, “I don’t want to say official results but from experience from past patients, results could possibly be brain dead”...  

We left the hospital at 3:30AM on Friday, March 23 where we were informed that for 24 hours, my brother would remain in the ICU under a medically induced coma under hypothermic treatment to keep his body from further damage.  

At midnight on Saturday, March 24, Jeff's blood pressure dropped to lower levels. The nurse noticed swelling and pressure in the head.  Another CT scan was preformed. Results indicated that his condition was worsening in comparison to the night before.  As described by the physician, a normal, healthy brain is ridged and bumpy, but the images of Jeff’s brain had the absence of any ridges and bumps; only smooth surfaces. This new malformation, according to the physician, is an indication of damage to the brain.

Around 6:00AM, they continued with the plan to warm his body and wean off the sedation meds to begin testing his motor functions/reactions, (essentially a baseline of where Jeff’s physical/mental status is). 

At this time, our family is asking for support and prayers from friends and family and all of those who's lives have been touched by my brother, Jeff. His current neurological state is still a major concern as his last eye exam indicated zero response.  Fortunately, his heart is beating strong ,which is an indication that he's fighting and not giving up so we refuse to give up as well. 

Donations from this fundraiser will go towards helping offset the costs of my brother's medical treatment.

Thank you on behalf of, 

Mildred Zante, Mother
Paterno Zante, Father
Jason Zante, Brother
Joven Zante, Brother