Kansas City, KS – Summer Heinen knew the warning signs of a stroke. But when the 24-year-old nurse began experiencing those symptoms herself, she couldn't recognize what was happening. Her mother noticed her drooping face and difficulty speaking and called 911. Doctors at The University of Kansas Health System removed a blood clot blocking a major artery in her brain in an emergency procedure. Nearly a year later, Summer shares her remarkable recovery, the discovery of a hole in her heart and how surviving a stroke has changed the way she cares for her own patients.
Summer Heinen, Patient
Summer remembers falling in her bathroom, struggling to stand and dragging herself across the floor to call her mother, who recognized the signs of a stroke.
She underwent an emergency procedure to remove a large blood clot from her brain. Now, almost one year later, she reported an almost complete recovery, with some lingering loss of sensation on the left side of her face.
She was later diagnosed with a patent foramen ovale (PFO), an opening between the heart's upper chambers, and underwent a procedure to close it.
Summer shares how surviving a stroke has changed her perspective as both a patient and a nurse.
Dr. Michael Abraham, Neurointerventional Surgeon and Critical Care Neurologist, The University of Kansas Health System
Dr. Abraham explains what imaging revealed about the blood clot blocking blood flow in Summer's brain and why immediate treatment was critical.
He describes the minimally invasive procedure used to reach the brain through an artery in the groin and remove the clot.
He discusses how a PFO can allow a blood clot to travel through the heart and potentially reach the brain.
He explains what doctors investigate when a young, otherwise healthy adult experiences a major stroke.
He discusses Summer's recovery and what ongoing care may involve.
Lindsey Nitchals, Nurse Practitioner, The University of Kansas Health System
Lindsey explains what the care team monitors after a major stroke, including neurological recovery and lingering symptoms.
She discusses why time is critical during a stroke and how delays in treatment can affect outcomes.
She addresses the recovery process for younger stroke patients and the importance of follow-up care.
She shares what Summer's recovery illustrates about rehabilitation and the potential for improvement after a stroke.