Thomas Spiotta, 19, who has down syndrome. In July, Thomas had sharp abdominal pains that concerned his father. On July 18, he was transferred to Stony Brook University Hospital from Long Island Community Hospital where doctors discovered he had a massive portal venous thrombosis or blood clot in his portal vein, leading to other vessel clots and intestinal ischemia. The condition is dangerous because it can decrease the supply of blood to the intestines and can damage intestinal tissue, where the situation quickly can become a matter of life and death.
At Stony Brook, Thomas underwent three surgeries. The first on July 19 to remove more than 3 feet of small intestine which had died. Subsequently, doctors were able to reconnect the intestine and ultimately close the abdominal incision. Christopher Muratore, MD, Chief of Pediatric Surgery at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, was the primary surgeon that has treated Thomas.

Thomas will leave the hospital after seven weeks with a cheering squad of about 50 fire fighters from the North Patchogue Fire Department and surrounding fire departments and two fire trucks.

Parents Eugene and Jane Spiotta from East Patchogue. Thomas is a 12th grader at Bellport High School, has always been very active in sports, dance and within the Explorer Program at the North Patchogue Fire Department. (8/27/19)