Courtesy of Alzadia Spires
Jarvis Spires is a 17-year-old football player at Cypress Springs High School near Houston.
An incoming senior at Cypress Springs High School near Houston is recovering at Texas Children’s Hospital after suffering a heat stroke that left him in a coma for nine days, according to his mother.
Jarvis Spires, 17, was outside training with his personal trainer on July 5 when the combination of Texas heat and dehydration triggered the episode, said his mother, Alzadia Spires. She said she hopes her son’s experience serves as a reminder to parents to talk to their children about the importance of staying hydrated, especially during workouts, and taking breaks when needed.
“I wouldn’t wish this on any parent,” Alzadia said. “This has been one of the scariest moments of my entire life.”
Jarvis began playing football at the age of 4, his mother said, and his dream is to one day play in the NFL. Alzadia said her son has received several college scholarship offers and is on track to graduate early in December.
July 5 started like any other Saturday, Alzadia said, with her son coming into her bedroom to wake her up and let her know he was leaving for a training session.
“And I told him, ‘I love you … I’ll see you when I get back. Be safe,’ ” she said.
Two hours later, she received a call from Jarvis’ trainer stating that he was being rushed to the hospital. By the time she arrived at Houston Methodist Hospital, he had been placed in a medically induced coma after doctors discovered he had suffered a heat stroke, Alzadia said.
Courtesy of Alzadia Spires
Jarvis Spires, left, a football player at Cypress Springs High School, is seen with his mother, Alzadia Spires.
Jarvis was later transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital after doctors discovered a blood clot, according to his mother.
“All of a sudden, he just started going downhill,” she said. “It was like somebody flipped a switch, and he just started to go downhill fast.”
Jarvis’ blood pressure dropped and his heart, lungs, kidney and liver all started to fail, Alzadia said, prompting doctors to perform an emergency surgery. After the surgery, doctors monitored his vitals in an intensive care unit, she said.
His mother said that since Jarvis came out of the coma on Monday, he has had difficulty breathing. However, she continues to reassure him.
“I always knew that God had his hands on my child,” Alzadia said. “I told him even when he was in the coma. I would speak to him and talk to him every day and say, ‘You’re already healed … you’re fully healed.’ “
During physical therapy on Wednesday, Alzadia said Jarvis was determined to get up and walk so he could go around and pray for other children in the hospital who are battling illnesses. She called it a glimpse of his selfless and faith-filled nature.
“God’s got my baby,” Alzadia said. “He didn’t bring him this far for nothing.”