“The best birthday present I never expected”: Jennifer’s stroke survival story at Allina Health Mercy Hospital
It was 4:30 a.m. when Jennifer was startled awake by a noise in the house. She hoped to quickly fall back asleep but noticed her boyfriend was breathing loudly. She rolled over to gently nudge him. That’s when she realized something was wrong.
“My arm felt kinda floppy and did not start to tingle after I moved it, like it normally would,” Jennifer told her boyfriend, “’Something’s not right. I think I’m having a stroke. Go call 911 from the home phone right now.’”
As a rehabilitation therapist who works with stroke patients, Jennifer knew the signs — and the urgency. Her speech was off, and her right arm and leg felt weak. She hobbled to the bathroom, smiled and stuck out her tongue in the mirror because a person’s tongue may appear crooked if they are experiencing a stroke. Even though her face wasn’t drooping, she felt confident it was a stroke.
“I wasn’t even questioning it. And I think it’s important people know they don’t need to experience all symptoms when having a stroke,” she says. “All I could think was, ‘I need to get to the hospital right now.’”
Within nine minutes, Coon Rapids Fire Department and Allina Health EMS were in her living room. Shortly after that, she was at Mercy Hospital.
Jennifer had gone to bed before 10:30 p.m., which meant she was outside the typical 4.5-hour stroke treatment window. But thanks to a pilot program through Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute at Mercy Hospital, her care team was able to act quickly.
She was eligible for the Mercy Tenecteplase Extended Window Treatment Pilot, which uses advanced imaging to determine if IV thrombolytic treatment is still possible beyond the standard 4.5-hour window.
A rapid MRI of her brain revealed part of her brain had already been affected by the stroke, but a larger area was still at risk and could be saved. This evidence-based imaging confirmed her stroke had not progressed too far, making her eligible to receive IV Tenecteplase, a clot-busting medication.
“Jennifer’s case is a powerful example of how advanced imaging and rapid response can expand treatment options for stroke patients. The Mercy Hospital pilot program allowed us to safely administer Tenecteplase outside the traditional window, and because she recognized the signs and acted quickly, she walked away without any deficits. This is exactly the kind of outcome we strive for,” said Reyanna Massaquoi, MD, Medical Director for Stroke/Neurology at Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus.
Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute aims to streamline this process so it can be used at other hospitals within Allina Health.
“They took really good care of me, and they were quick,” says Jennifer. “I had a really good experience.”
Further testing revealed Jennifer had a patent foramen ovale — a hole in the heart that can increase stroke risk. She has since received follow-up care.
Thanks to her quick recognition of symptoms and Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute’s evidence-based stroke protocol, Jennifer was discharged without any residual deficits.“I am very grateful for everyone who helped me and cared for me along the way. I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome. Best birthday present ever!” she says.
Share this article
