INVICTUS, BABY

I am a two-time stroke survivor. I had my first stroke in 2013 at the age of 30. My second happened two and a half years later, in 2016.

My first acute ischemic stroke in 2013 was cryptogenic, meaning its cause was undetermined. After three days of testing in the ICU, it was concluded that the stroke was likely caused by a carotid dissection - a tiny tear in the artery of my neck caused possibly by surfing, yoga, or sleeping funny on a plane. Two and a half years later, in 2016, I unexpectedly had a second stroke. Extensive research and testing concluded the cause of both strokes was most likely a hole in my heart called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). I elected to have the PFO closed with the cardioform septal occluder in August 2016.

I am lucky. I was in the right place at the right time for both incidents and received the necessary immediate care. My insurance policy allowed me access to a breadth of specialists and medical tests to investigate the cause of the strokes. And though my symptoms were sudden onset of right sided paralysis and aphasia, I suffered no residual deficits from both strokes.

I share my story earnestly as an advocate for stroke awareness and prevention, specifically in young adults.

My writing and speaking about stroke:

Bad Year for Boars. The story of my first stroke. Medium, 2013.

My Invincible Summer. The story of my second stroke. Medium, 2016.

Talking Ice Cream and Strokes. NowThis, 2016.

Strokes recently declined among men, but not women, CBS News, 2017.

Invincible Ice Cream Shop Owner Serves Up Message About Strokes, NBC News, 2016.

The Surprising Stroke Symptoms for Women Part 1 and Part 2. The Dr. Oz Show, 2014.

Articles about my strokes:

Medical Mystery. Washington Post, 2017.

Young, fit, two-time stroke victim. The New York Post, 2016.

Too Young for a Stroke? SELF Magazine, 2015.