Athletic 11th grader suffers sudden lung collapse

A Texas teenager missed the start of his 11th grade year after he mysteriously fell ill.

Dominic Lopez's family told Eyewitness News he's been in the hospital since last Tuesday. He could barely tell his mother what was wrong.

"It was just a regular day. Thankfully, I work at home. He had just taken a shower. Shortly after that, he came to me in the kitchen. He was complaining of chest pain. He was holding his chest. He couldn't really talk. He was taking really small breaths," said his mother, Muriel Lopez. "Once I saw that, that he couldn't really breathe properly ... I put him in the truck because I knew I could get to the hospital faster than the ambulance could get to me."

Muriel Lopez said in the four-minute drive to the hospital, she watched her son turn pale. She said doctors discovered her son's left lung fully collapsed and diagnosed him with spontaneous pneumothorax. According to medical experts, tall and thin males teens are most susceptible.

Doctors put a tube in Dominic's chest. He underwent surgery on Sunday.
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"To me, I think getting this out there is the main thing. I've never heard of spontaneous pneumothorax before this. I had no idea that a young male who is tall and thin is more prone to get this condition," said Dominic's mom. "I have never heard of it. I was terrified. If you ever have any symptoms regarding your heart, chest, or your breathing ... get to the nearest ER immediately."

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[ashleyh]

Just got back from the hospital after a week. I lived a week on a 50% collapsed lung before going to the hospital. By far the scariest thing I've ever been through. I'm only 25 and so scared of it happening again!

[ishmamchannel]

My 18 yr old got this..chest tube was on...but needed surgery as" bubbles" were in his lungs....i juz prayed e surgery goes well ...

[apmsalinas]

just had that too, the doctor messed up the first time💀

[Billssabs]

My lung collapsed 3 days ago just got out of hospital yesterday had a chest tube was not fun stop vaping and smoking keep your lungs clean. I’m 21 years old never want that to happen again doctor said 1/4 chance of it happening again so that sucks

[happyyyyyyyyyy]

I just read in my note that tall and thin people
Are more prone to pneumothorax.... just searched on YouTube whether it was right
Found out it was right

[AriHuerta-vxir]

My son went into surgery like 10 minutes ago. He is 17 years old.

[jackieny]

My son had this too and is currently in the hospital for a second lung collapse round two from one thirty days ago. Go straight to the ER

[David-oqrz]

I used to practice MMA when I was younger, I felt so secure or myself, almost like if the world was mine, then when I was 17 years old I suffered an spontaneous pneumothorax, I could not practice any contact sport since then, I experience pain in both of lungs sometimes and definitely that incident in the past messed up my confidence in myself, sometimes I wonder if people who have suffered the same feel the same way. I got into the gym 2 years ago and I am in the best shape of my life, no one would know I had this issue, but can not take it out of my mind, It became something psychologic

[NotAMartian-]

Happened to me a few days ago... I'm 25.. it's not fun..

[iamakj]

how long does it take to recover from pneumothorax after being injected with a test tube?

[dmonkeylife]

Yep I feel your pain brother I lived with the same thing im 34yr lol it's hell sometimes. Any small pain freaks you out like oh god again!?!?! I've had two collapsed lungs same side and just because I was borne so lucky lol. Honestly though after the first one the surprise is gone uf it ever happens again so you at leats know what's going on and whats gonna happen so it's less emotional. The three day hospital stay is more of a inconvenience the anything. To be completely honest I looked this up because I believe my third is happening. My chest is bubbling and Im having pains, and when I tried to lay down It almost felt like a cramp in my side at one point and more bubbling

[AustinCarlile-pm]

Is he tall? Then theres a reason its bcs






























Being tall.

[jonathenhudgins]

Tht boy been vaping I just had one a couple weeks ago

[Lastboyscout]

Everywhere Henry hill has turned to shit

😊