“A Brief Delay Could Have Cost Me My Brain.”– A Stroke Survivor Story
“Brain blood clots: Reaching a well-equipped hospital in time can do more than just save your life—it can preserve your quality of life.”
Stroke, or cerebrovascular disease, often strikes without warning, and the moment it does, the clock of life starts to tick down. Prompt medical attention, swift diagnosis, and timely treatment are the keys to survival.
Ms. Kate -- a 49-year-old stroke survivor, shares her harrowing experience. What began as an ordinary workday quickly took an alarming turn. She sensed something was seriously wrong when she struggled to perform the simplest daily tasks.
Suddenly, I Forgot How to Brush My Teeth
It all started one morning when Kate woke up and readied herself for work as usual. Suddenly, she realized she had no idea how to brush her teeth. It took her quite some time to figure out and compose herself.
“The next challenge came when I got to my car—I could not remember how to unlock it. I stood there, pacing back and forth, completely at a loss. Fortunately, when I got inside, I had not forgotten how to drive, so I made it to work without any trouble. But by then, I knew something was wrong. When I arrived, I sat in my car for a long time, struggling to recall how to open the door.”
Kate decided to seek medical attention at the Neurology Clinic at MedPark Hospital. However, upon arrival, she encountered yet another alarming symptom. As the nurse asked her routine questions, she was unable to respond.
“I knew what I wanted to say, but could not get the words out. The nurse at the reception quickly recognized the possibility of a neurological issue and promptly alerted Dr. Udom for an urgent evaluation. After a brief assessment, the doctor wasted no time and immediately ordered an MRI scan.”
Every Second Matters in a Brain Blood Clot Emergency
The MRI scan results revealed a blood clot in a cerebral artery, with brain tissue damage and most of the left hemisphere of the brain on the verge of dying. Time was critical. Dr. Udom Suthiponpaisan, a specialist in stroke, neuro-sonology, and interventional neuroradiology, made a decisive call for mechanical thrombectomy. He swiftly orchestrated the activation of the angiography suite, essential equipment, and medical team.
“The doctor acted with remarkable speed. Fortunately, I could sign the consent form for the procedure myself, allowing the treatment to proceed without delay. As the nurses wheeled me from the MRI room to the angiographic intervention suite, the doctor was able to perform the procedure immediately and quickly removed the blood clot in one fell swoop.”
After the procedure, Kate regained her ability to communicate. She could converse with colleagues who visited her, recount the details of her experience, and even test her foreign language skills—all of which remained intact. Remarkably, she spent only one night in the ICU.
“During my stay, I was closely monitored by multiple specialists. Here, treatment does not end with simply resolving the immediate issue. The medical team was determined to uncover the underlying cause of my stroke, given my relatively young age and absence of chronic conditions or non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The cardiologist, an endocrinologist, a hematologist, and a rehabilitation physician gave joint assessments.”
Thanks to the prompt intervention and comprehensive care from a medical team, Kate has a full recovery and can return to her daily life and work. She continues to have follow-up appointments with Dr. Udom to monitor her condition and prevent a recurrence.
“This experience taught me stroke symptoms are not always as clear-cut as facial drooping or limb weakness. There are also other subtle warning signs, which may be overlooked, like communication or memory problems. The most critical factor is time—once symptoms begin, the clock starts ticking down. Without timely intervention, the consequences can be life-altering, leading to severe brain damage, disability, or even loss of independence. I feel very fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time.”
A Well-Prepared Team and Equipment and Timely Response Increase the Chances of Success
Dr. Udom, the treating physician, reflected on the day she arrived at the neurosurgery clinic.
“The patient was middle-aged, with no underlying conditions or known risk factors for stroke. Her only symptom was difficulty speaking—everything else was normal. Fortunately, the nurse at the counter immediately recognized the potential neurological issue and referred her for urgent evaluation. Later, when I reviewed the CCTV footage, I saw the patient could park her car perfectly and walk fluidly.”
After an initial assessment, Dr. Udom inferred a stroke had impaired the language center of the brain. To confirm the diagnosis, he promptly ordered an MRI with advanced stroke imaging protocol. The results revealed extensive ischemia in the left hemisphere and a large vessel occlusion, necessitating immediate mechanical thrombectomy.
“I quickly coordinated with the interventional team in the angiography suite and notified the anesthesiologist to ensure thorough preparation. After the MRI, the patient was transferred immediately for the procedure.”
During the thrombectomy, a catheter was inserted through the femoral artery and navigated to the blocked vessel. Dr. Udom injected contrast dye to pinpoint the obstruction in a left cerebral artery. A special aspiration catheter was then deployed, successfully extracting the clot in one attempt. A follow-up angiogram confirmed the restoration of normal blood flow.
“When the patient emerged from anesthesia, she was fully conscious and able to describe her experience in detail. It was a moment that filled me with pride. I was genuinely delighted with the patient and her family.”
This case underscores the critical time-sensitive aspect of stroke treatment. The longer a stroke goes untreated, the lower the chances of a full recovery. The successful treatment outcome stems from several key factors -- the swift recognition of symptoms by the nurse, the rapid and precise decision-making and treatment by the interventional neurologist, and the seamless coordination of a highly skilled medical team, well-equipped facilities, and state-of-the-art equipment.
