Health crisis for young Louisiana racer
Jarret Stuckey of Shreveport, La., a young Dirt Late Model racer and son of Black Diamond Race Cars owner Ronnie Stuckey, is being treated at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, after suffering multiple heart attacks related to an autoimmune disease he was diagnosed with in recent months.
The 26-year-old was transported to the Texas hospital Saturday after initially receiving treatment near his home. His mother, Terri Stuckey, made a Facebook post Monday morning saying he was alert and “stable right now” as “his team of doctors are reviewing everything” for his treatment plan.
Stuckey, who has competed in the Super Late Model division for several years, was diagnosed with Wegener's granulomatosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and can damage major organs. His mother wrote in a Facebook update that “it took a year and four doctors to determine what was going on” with Jarret, who “just kept asking why he was staying sick” while repeatedly seeking medical answers from doctors in Houston, Texas.
Terri Stuckey’s Facebook posts said Jarret “was on the cusp of a full heart attack the day after Thanksgiving” but his younger brother and fellow racer, Clay, “got him to the hospital in time to stop it.” Jarret began undergoing treatment but Wegener’s disease began attacking his heart, inflaming his small and medium vessels and slowing the flow of blood to his organs.
After Jarret suffered a serious heart attack Friday, a team of specialists from the Baylor hospital flew to Shreveport to transport him to Dallas. Terri said he “did great with no issues” en route and has been stabilized to await further treatment.
“I have so much hope being (at Baylor) but it will be a long road,” Terri Stuckey wrote on Facebook. “Please keep your prayers going. We really have no good idea what is next.”
Terri indicated that a heart transplant or artificial heart are possible for Jarret, but doctors are closely monitoring him to determine a course of action.
Stuckey’s brother and father were at Central Arizona Raceway in Case Grande, Ariz., over the weekend competing in the Ernie Mincy Early Thaw. Clay Stuckey won Friday’s feature and finished second Saturday before heading home to be with Jarret.
