A young Brisbane soccer player living in the US in pursuit of a professional career has collapsed with a life-threatening health condition.
Blake Grove, 20, faces a lengthy recovery after suffering a brain bleed caused by a rupture to an arteriovenous malformation — which is an abnormality in the connection between a vein and artery, that he has likely had since birth.
Grove, a student of Barton College in North Carolina, collapsed in his room on August 31 after complaining of headache and nausea. His younger brother was at the home when he suffered the medical episode.
He underwent surgery but continues to suffer “bouts of pain”, according to his parents Philip Grove and Nancy Cowell, who have travelled from Brisbane to be with him.
He has also suffered clotting in his lungs and a leg, but he is not able to have blood-thinners due to his brain injury.
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“Mental clarity and short-term memory are lacking, so while he knows who we are and can chat a bit, most conversation doesn’t sit in the ‘reality sphere’,” his parents wrote on a GoFundMe for the family.
“We are told this is natural after brain trauma and can take quite some time to resolve.”
They also revealed a “frightening episode” when Grove had difficulty with his speech. The fact his speech was “impacted” led to fears he could be enduring a stroke.
“It’s a terrifying thing to witness when you’re hoping only for improvement and forward momentum,” Philip and Nancy said.
“But each day feels more like one step forward, two back.”
Blake Grove in action for Barton College. Credit: bartonbulldogs.com
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This week, the family said Grove’s surgeon had given a “positive” report about a procedure to close off the arteriovenous malformation by about 60 per cent.
He is expected to soon undergo gamma knife radiation to treat the rupture.
Grove is expected to have to undergo lengthy rehabilitation, including physiotherapy and speech therapy, and will remain in the US for an indefinite period.
A junior of Brisbane’s Eastern Suburbs FC, he had been shining in the Conference Carolinas college league for the Barton Bulldogs, being named the competition’s Freshman of the Year and earning a place in the all-conference second team, as well as the All-Southeast Region second team.
Grove suffered a ruptured arteriovenous malformation in his brain. Credit: GoFundMeBlake Grove grew up in Brisbane before moving to North Carolina. Credit: Facebook
He scored eight goals in his freshman year in 2022.
“He is a rising talent with a great future and has worked hard to realise his dream to study and play in the US, dedicated to pursuing his dream of playing professional football,” Eastern Suburbs FC wrote in a Facebook post.
The GoFundMe has been set up to support Grove and his parents.
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