Defying Odds: Sarah’s Journey from Stroke to Strength at 38

Sarah, on behalf of theMagazine, thank you for your willingness to share. We all hope your experience will be helpful and impact someone reading this. Thank you.

It might surprise you to learn that Sarah suffered a massive stroke at the age of 38. We think of a stroke as something that happens to older people, but every year, about 70,000 Americans under age 45 have strokes. (Sutter Health).

The First Signs

For Sarah, it started with what seemed like an innocuous headache. She recounts, “It was an ordinary day. I was in a school meeting with a team of teachers and thought, ‘This must be what a migraine feels like.’” After resting her head for a few minutes, she realized she couldn’t speak. This alarming symptom lasted for about 30 seconds, leaving her and her team puzzled and concerned. Despite initial thoughts of a panic attack, her gut feeling told her something more serious was unfolding.

The Urgent Response

Her mother, Nancy, came to school to get her. At this point, Sarah decided to go straight to the emergency room. Reflecting on this moment, she emphasizes the critical nature of this swift action. She could have made the choice to go home and rest, but instead listened to her instinct. Once at the hospital, the urgency was clear. The staff at Medical City McKinney admitted her immediately, and a scan revealed she had suffered a mini-stroke, known as a TIA caused by a carotid artery dissection —a rare condition often associated with injuries or can have spontaneous occurrences.

The window for administering tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to treat an acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is within three hours of the onset of symptoms, as approved by the FDA. tPA is a protein that can help restore blood flow to affected brain regions and limit damage and functional impairment. It can open blocked cerebral arteries before irreversible brain injury occurs.

The Major Stroke

Her initial stay in the hospital seemed reassuring, but the situation rapidly escalated. “The next day, around two o’clock, I had a massive stroke— I was unable to talk, walk, or move the right side of my body but was able to think and observe all the things happening around me.” The severity of the situation became evident when the hospital launched its stroke protocol. The quick-thinking and professional medical staff administered tPA within 30-45 minutes, which is well within the crucial 3-hour window needed to prevent serious brain injury. Her chances of recovery significantly improved because of where she had her stroke and the fast action of Medical City McKinney. “Every second counts,” she notes, underscoring the importance of timely medical intervention.

The Helicopter Ride and Advanced Treatment

She still faced serious complications despite the immediate treatment. Doctors decided she needed to be transferred to a specialized stroke center, requiring a six-minute helicopter ride from Medical Center McKinney to their sister hospital, Medical City Plano, where Sarah underwent a thrombectomy, a procedure to remove the clot from her artery and restore blood flow to
her brain. She says that even during the procedure, “You still maintain a sense of what is occurring, and I remember aspects of the process.” She says, “The first thing I remember the doctors doing after the procedure was complete was to ask me to talk. When your speech is restored, it is a miracle.”

The Road to Recovery

She began her journey to recovery after spending several days in intensive care and regular hospital care. Finally home, she initially thought she could resume work quickly but soon realized she needed more time. “I stayed home for one semester, which was actually beneficial as it was the COVID year, and our schools had moved online.” Working virtually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Virtual teaching was helpful for my brain injury because I had to learn a completely new way of teaching. The different way of working pushed me and helped my brain heal.” She emphasizes the importance of staying active and engaged after a stroke, “I think that a stroke victim’s brain doesn’t heal and form new connections when it is not challenged. To avoid more preventable deficits from your brain injury, you have to push yourself to exercise, work, and interact with people.”

Life After Stroke

Her recovery allowed her to return fully to her roles as wife, mother, and friend with a deep appreciation for each day. She is fortunate and grateful that she has made a miraculous recovery and is still able to do all the important things in life. “I try to push myself, but I also recognize my limitations.” She still enjoys being active, although she is cautious because she avoids activities that might strain her neck.

Insights and Advice

She offers heartfelt advice for others facing similar situations. “Be patient with your loved ones who have had strokes. I think it is important to know that even if your loved one can’t communicate or have physical or emotional changes, they may know what’s going on around them. Please remember the recovery process is a journey. It’s important to keep your loved one engaged in things that interest them and to stay connected. It’s important to ask for professional help when things get tough, and it takes time to heal.”

With gratitude and thanks, I want to acknowledge the following:

My amazing family.

My fellow teachers and colleagues who were with me during the stroke and after to support me in my transition back.

Medical City Plano – the doctors are the best in world and specialized to help stroke patients.

Medical City Transport Team (helicopter EMTS) – I think about them still.

Medical City McKinney – the doctors for making all the right decisions and doing so quickly.

God for the mercy shown to me through this experience.