Patient Stories
Sutter Neurosurgery
Tom – A Brain Bleed Can Come at Anytime, to Anyone
Tom was at the top of his game. At 46, he had an active life with his wife, three kids, job as general manager of the Fair Oaks Water District and recreation activities like backpacking and triathlons. He was training for the California International Marathon and on no medications. He was the picture of health.
One evening in December when Tom and wife Bridget were turning in for bed, Tom started getting an excruciating headache. Tom never got headaches. He knew something was wrong and suggested to his wife that he go into the emergency department.
Tom lived in Fair Oaks, but passed up his local hospital to go to Sutter Memorial Hospital’s emergency department and was immediately admitted into the emergency department. Within minutes they recognized that he was in critical condition, probably suffering from a brain bleed or aneurysm. They rushed him by ambulance to Sutter General Hospital to be cared for by Sutter’s dedicated Stroke Team.
“Everything was incredibly fast-paced,” said Tom. “We were told the survival rates for the kind of bleed I had was not high, and that I should be around my family.”
At Sutter General Hospital, the Stroke Team took over and ordered a MRI and sonogram to identify the spot in the brain that was bleeding. Unfortunately, due to the type of bleed it was, they could not locate its origination. Tom was transferred to the ICU for close observation, where he stayed for seven days.
While in the ICU, Tess Carter, R.N., and other members of the Stroke Team closely observed Tom. Every day he had an MRI, and every four hours he was woken to take medications to prevent spasms. The team identified that Tom had suffered from an unusual form of a brain bleed – but because of his good health, it would probably absorb itself over time. There was no need for surgery, just close observation.
“The doctors and nurses walked me through every step of my care,” said Tom. “I was able to become a part of my treatment, which was important to me.”
By Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, Tom was getting stir-crazy. An active guy, the seven days in the hospital were taking a toll on him. He wanted nothing more than to be home with his family for Christmas, even if it meant that he would be weak and in pain. But his doctors didn’t think it was a good idea for Tom to leave the observation the hospital could provide.
“I talked to Tess,” said Tom. “I let her know how much I needed to be home with my family. Tess fought for me and was at the hospital on Christmas Eve until 7 p.m. so she could schedule my tests, which were required before the doctors would agree to discharge me.”
Tom made it home for Christmas and was able to recover at home thereafter. Despite the incredible pain and lack of appetite, Tom started recovering. Each day, his goal was to eat. He knew it would make him stronger. Sometimes he sat at the breakfast table for hours until he was able to put down a whole meal.
“One day I was sitting at the breakfast table with my kids and their food looked good; I had an appetite again,” said Tom. “So I asked my wife to make me a plate. I cried, and thought food should always taste this good. I knew I was starting to get better.”
Tom got stronger and stronger. He was taken off all medications and was told that he could return to his normal lifestyle without any restrictions. Six weeks after his brain bleed, Tom went back to work full time. Soon after, he started exercising again. And in the four months since his initial visit to the hospital, he has done a backpacking trip to Yosemite and started training for more runs and triathlons.
“It was a humbling experience to have so many people within my family, friends, at Sutter and even people that I didn’t know pulling for me,” said Tom. “I was given a second chance; I love life even more and am so appreciative that I want to pay it forward every chance I get.”
Tom has learned a lot from his experience. He learned his wife and family had strength beyond imagine. He learned the true heroes of the health care system are the direct care givers because of their hand holding, encouragement and reassurance. He learned that having support matters, even if it is just checking in on how someone feels or saying “hi” to brighten someone’s day. And he learned that even when you are at the top of your health, you can’t take it for granted and you need to listen to your body.
Learn more about Sutter Neuroscience Institute’s Stroke Center.