On Feburary 22, Betty Danahy was at her doctor's office waiting to be seen.
“I was scrolling on my phone and saw the nurse come out, but I didn't hear my name,” said the 69-year-old.
By the time she realized they were calling her, she was unable to respond.
"I was aware of what was going on, but I couldn't speak or get up," said Betty. “I had no idea that I was having a stroke.”
Quick, life-saving action from care teams
The doctor’s care team quickly called EMS, who brought her to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, Wichita’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center.
Betty was alert in the ambulance, but still couldn't communicate. She was relieved when she saw the ambulance nearing St. Francis, where the stroke team was waiting for her in the ER when she arrived at 3:42 p.m.
It took only 18 minutes for Betty to be assessed, have CT images of her brain to confirm that it was an ischemic stroke and receive Tenecteplase (TNK), a drug administered to break up clots and help restore blood flow to the brain.
The team used an advanced imaging process (computed tomography angiography) which produces pictures of blood vessels and tissues to pinpoint the clot's location. This was done in preparation for a clot-retrieval procedure in a specially equipped neuro-interventional radiology suite.
By 4:49 p.m., neurointerventional radiologist Serge Srour, DO, had removed Betty’s clot and the blood flow to her brain was fully restored.
Time matters most for treating stroke brain
Remarkably, a follow-up CT scan the next day showed no signs of brain tissue death caused by an interrupted flow of oxygen and Betty’s NIH Stroke Scale Score, which was 22 at admission, had dropped to zero.
While many patients with NIH scores in her initial range face life-altering deficits, Betty had none thanks to 67 minutes of timely and well-coordinated, advanced comprehensive stroke care delivered by a specialized team.
"I had a stroke and walked out of the hospital on my own two feet two days after,” said Betty, who was discharged home on February 24, and on Wednesday was back to work. “I am just glad they brought me to St. Francis.I am so thankful for everyone who was involved in my care.”
Advanced stroke care in Wichita
When you choose our Comprehensive Stroke Center for you or a loved one's stroke care, you have access to a range of treatments, from clot-busting medications to cutting-edge endovascular and neurosurgical procedures. At the Ascension Via Christi Comprehensive Stroke Center, care teams collaborate to provide 24/7 life-saving care. Learn more about getting stroke care close to home.
If you or a loved one is experiencing warning signs of a stroke such as numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, dizziness or loss of balance, every second counts. It's important to call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room right away.