Stroke Patient Stories
Timely care is critical when treating a stroke patient. When timely care is given, stroke patients have a chance to return to the lives they knew prior to their stroke.
Read these stories about patients who were given that chance after being treated for a stroke at the University of Maryland Medical Center's Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Fast Action Helps Stroke Patient Fully Recover
Donna Redmond of Baltimore, MD knows she’s lucky. Her family acted fast when they realized she could be having a stroke, and that quickness made a big difference. Slurred speech, balance issues, face drooping, arm weakness and blurry vision are signs to call 911 right away. With the help of stroke experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Donna made a full recovery.
Prompt, Guideline-Driven Stroke Care Averts Disaster for a Baltimore County Woman
On July 3, 2020, Emma Jean Kus was looking forward to planning a 4th of July celebration, when something went terribly wrong. She was having a stroke.
An ambulance ride to the Emergency Department at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center near her home, and images showing a blocked artery in her brain, soon led to a quick move downtown for advanced stroke care at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
Her treatment and discharge just three days later illustrate why the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association have recognized UMMC with their 2020 Get With the Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus Award for excellence in stroke treatment.
The story of Emma Jean Kus illustrates how applying the guidelines can improve patient care and stroke outcomes.
Swift Response Saves 22-Year-Old Suffering Massive Stroke
UMMC's Comprehensive Stroke Center is one of the nation’s top places to treat the most complex stroke patients and one of the few institutions in the region that offers a mechanical thrombectomy - placing a thin catheter through the groin and into the brain to remove a clot.
Once this procedure is performed, the blood flow through the treated vessel is restored.
This story shows stroke emergency response in action.
At just 22, Jamie was visiting Baltimore when she suffered a massive stroke. She was conscious the entire time, but could not move or talk. She was brought to the University of Maryland Medical Center, where a team led by neurologist Dr. Seemant Chaturvedi and an interventional neuroradiologist performed a thrombectomy.
Amazingly, Jamie regained all movement and speech, and now is back to living her life as though stroke never happened.
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