TAMPA, Fla. — UPDATE: On May 23, Spectrum News featured the story of Patrick Brathwaite, a Tampa lawyer who suffered a heart attack in April and was fighting valiantly to recover with the help of family and friends.
Sadly, his family informed us Patrick passed away this week in late May after his weeks long struggle.
What You Need To Know
- Patrick Brathwaite passed away this week in late May after his weeks long struggle.
- Brathwaite, a Tampa lawyer who suffered a heart attack in April, was fighting valiantly to recover with the help of family and friends
- According to his brother Christian, Patrick’s lungs had accumulated too much liquid, and he had undergone life support treatments which did not work
According to his brother Christian, Patrick’s lungs had accumulated too much liquid, and he had undergone life support treatments which did not work out. Still responsive at the moment of the decision, Christian said doctors informed Patrick of his worsening condition.
Considering his organ donor status, Patrick decided to no longer continue life support. His family said Patrick died peacefully shortly after and is donating his organs.
The Brathwaite family is holding a Celebration of Life for Patrick this weekend in Tampa.
They are very thankful for all the support they have received and are focusing their efforts to bring awareness to heart health.
His brother Christian is returning to Aviano Air Base in Italy where he will continue to serve his country and retire after his last enlistment marked by this traumatic life event.
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As Spectrum Bay News 9 recognizes Military Appreciation Month in May, a Tampa family has reunited again to show how the power of brotherly love can help heal.
The Brathwaite family contacted Spectrum Bay News 9 about a recent unexpected traumatic event which brought the brothers together who went through great lengths to be there.
Patrick Brathwaite, a 35-year-old lawyer who grew up in Riverview, suffered a heart attack in late April.
His older brother Christian Brathwaite said how Patrick Brathwaite survived is even more incredible.
“So, he died for 70 minutes,” Christian Brathwaite said. “The doctors kept trying to resuscitate him.”
He also described the moment Patrick Brathwaite woke up after seven days.
“So as soon as I said ‘Patrick Brathwaite, your skin looks good. It doesn't look like you had a heart attack; your eyebrows look good,” he said. “Then he just opened his eyes and tried to get up and move to the direction of my voice. And as soon as he did that, all the nurses and doctors said, ‘He's up, he's up.’”
The incident happened in Tampa and Patrick Brathwaite had to be taken by helicopter to one of two heart transplant hospitals in Central Florida.
Weeks later, Christian Brathwaite went to his brother's apartment in Tampa.
He packed up his belongings, preparing for a long-term recovery.
Patrick Brathwaite is still in the ICU recovering.
He left behind his phone. A home office filled with law books sits empty. A family friend is taking care of his dog. Just as inspiring as Patrick Brathwaite’s survival is what his brothers did to be by his side.
“We flew in from the other side of the world to be with Patrick,” said Glenn Brathwaite. “My night shift here is my day shift over there. So, I’m feeling good.”
Glenn Brathwaite, the oldest brother, is a teacher who flew in from Japan.
Christian Brathwaite is a Master Sergeant Mission Leader at Aviano Air Base in Italy. He received a distress text message when the incident happened.
Not knowing how long he would be away from base, he re-enlisted for his final tour on top of an F-16.
He could have just done it unceremoniously, but his military family insisted.
Then he took off and landed in the United States, documenting the journey.
During Patrick Brathwaite’s recovery, Christian Brathwaite's son said ‘Dada’ for the first time.
Christian Brathwaite's military brothers are also staying close through text, following Patrick Brathwaite's recovery and helping to raise funds.
It is an example of how a brotherly bond has come to his care.
“It's a sense of community, not just in the Tampa and Orlando area, like it's in the military as well,” said Christian Brathwaite.
Now, family and friends are also coming to support Patrick Brathwaite and a band of brothers is stepping in to pick up someone they have never met.