Syndicated Radio Show Host Shares His Miraculous Stroke Survival Story
Stroke Survivor, Avid Outdoorsman, Talk Show Radio Host
“From the phenomenal emergent stroke care I received, to the heart procedure performed to fix something I didn’t even know was there, I couldn’t be more thankful. And to be back to where I am today with no lingering problems is nothing short of miraculous.”
Mike Avery is a busy outdoorsman and host of his own syndicated radio show - Mike Avery’s Outdoor Magazine. Last year, he experienced something he’d never really given a thought to, an ischemic stroke. Fortunately, thanks to his wife’s quick actions and the prompt treatment he received at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland, Avery has experienced a full recovery. While determining the potential cause of Avery’s stroke, additional testing revealed that Avery also had a small hole in his heart's wall between the two upper chambers, referred to as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Avery is extremely grateful that the circumstances lent themselves to immediate, expert care to treat his stroke and later repair the small hole in his heart.
A stroke is a “brain attack” that occurs when a blood vessel in your brain is clogged or ruptured. This interrupts the flow of blood and oxygen to your brain, and brain cells can start to die. Stroke can lead to death or long-term disability, such as partial paralysis or loss of memory, speech or other important abilities. Like a heart attack, time is of the essence when treating strokes.
“I was coming in from getting the mail at noon on a sunny day when I began experiencing some very strange sensations,” Avery shared. “My balance was off, then I felt as if the right side of my brain just collapsed and my vision went haywire. I told my wife I didn’t feel so good, and when she saw my face droop, she immediately dialed 911.”
It didn’t take long for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to arrive at the Avery’s home. Mike still didn’t realize what was happening and told the EMS technician he would get on the gurney himself. As he approached it, he felt his right foot dragging. It dawned on him then and he asked in disbelief, “Am I having a stroke?”
“It never occurred to me to think or worry about stroke,” Avery said. “It was not on my radar at all. Luckily, I wasn’t out in the woods hunting or at the stream fishing or driving on I75 – all of which I do regularly. I was three miles away from the Medical Center, and when I arrived, the emergency team was like a well-oiled machine.”
Avery felt his condition worsen in the Emergency Department and his family witnessed him speaking “gibberish” and then struggling to speak at all. The emergency team consulted with a tele-stroke physician, who confirmed the diagnosis and recommended treatment with thrombolytics to dissolve the clot blocking blood flow to his brain.
“Within 45 minutes of arrival, thrombolytic therapy was administered and within just a couple of hours, my family came to the Intensive Care Unit to see me. They couldn’t believe the change. They told me I looked like my regular self. We were all amazed,” Avery shared.
Avery was back in the studio recording 10 days after discharge and his skills testing showed he was doing very well. Roughly two months after recovering from his stroke, it was time to address the PFO in his heart that likely caused the stroke. In fact, scans showed that Avery had experienced two undetected mild strokes previously.
To repair the small hole, Interventional Cardiologist Stephen Mattichak, M.D., performed a minimally invasive procedure which involved inserting a catheter through a vein in the groin and then guiding it to the heart where a mesh closure device was deployed to plug the hole. By closing the hole, the procedure can improve blood flow through the heart, reduce symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath, and prevent long-term complications like stroke or heart failure.
“There must be a reason I’m still here,” said Avery. “Of all the places I might have been when it happened, I was extremely fortunate to be at home. From the phenomenal emergent stroke care I received, and the heart procedure performed to fix something I didn’t even know was there, I couldn’t be more thankful. And to be back to where I am today with no lingering problems is nothing short of miraculous.”
Avery was inspired to host MyMichigan Health Neurologist Brian MacFalda, M.D., on his radio show recently to inform his listeners about strokes and the warnings signs during May, Stroke Awareness Month. Managing your risk factors is the best way to reduce the risk of having a stroke; and knowing the signs of a stroke might just save your life. Avery shared his gratitude with Dr. MacFalda for the MyMichigan teams who participated in his care and shared the following acronym to help educate his listeners:
B.E.F.A.S.T. is an acronym used to help remember the key signs of a stroke:
- Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
- Eyes: Sudden loss or blurred vision
- Face: Uneven smile, weakness or drooping on one side of the face
- Arm: Sudden weakness or numbness in one arm, especially when raised
- Speech: Slurred or confused speech, difficulty speaking
- Time: Dial 911 right away
Those who would like additional information on stroke or who would like to take a free stroke risk assessment, may visit www.mymichigan.org/stroke.
