Tragic double-stroke victim is 'well enough to come home' to Sheffield if family can raise the money for air ambulance

A 48-year-old Sheffield father-of-three who suffered a shock double-stroke while working in Cyprus is well enough to come home after fighting for his life for weeks, doctors have said.
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Darren Fantom, who was completely healthy and living in Cyprus with his wife Andrea until a month ago, suffered ‘two massive strokes’ after he collapsed while at work.

The Chesterfield-born dad was rushed to hospital by his wife, where he was placed in intensive care.

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A punctured lung caused by a tracheotomy and a broken brain scanning machine meant he had to wait for surgery. During this wait Darren’s condition deteriorated and at one point doctors estimated he had just a five per cent chance of survival.

Andrea and Darren FantomAndrea and Darren Fantom
Andrea and Darren Fantom

However, the family have finally been given some good news. Darren has made much better progress than expected and doctors say he is now healthy enough to be flown back to the UK, where they say his best chance of any recovery is in Sheffield where his and Andrea’s family can look after him.

Andrea said: “After such upsetting and worrying news the doctors have said Darren’s infections are responding to the antibiotics and yesterday he had the drains removed from his lungs.

“This is fantastic news as hopefully now his breathing will get stronger and he could possibly be able to come off his respirator. He is still currently receiving assisted breathing but it’s a huge step forward in such a short space of time.

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“He is still responding to pain, but also now to touch and occasionally my voice.

“They are all astounded by the change in his situation and have said he is such a strong man who is on fighting every step of the way.”

When Darren had his stroke and she was told his best chances were with family in the UK, Andrea set up a fundraiser to try and pay for the air ambulance and intensive care team needed to get Darren home.

Now that the time has come when Darren is safe to travel, Andrea has appealed once again for the help of kindhearted people.

You can donate to the fundraiser here.