The Pop That Changed My Life: Surviving a Hemorrhagic Stroke

What the Doctors Found

Imaging at Jersey Shore University Medical Center showed a right‑cerebellar intraparenchymal hemorrhage (about 4.0 × 2.0 × 3.0 cm) with surrounding edema and mildmass effect on the fourth ventricle. There was no hydrocephalus, no midline shift, and no active bleeding. CTA/MRI revealed no aneurysm or vascular malformation; carotid and vertebral arteries were patent. Serial CT/MRI (July 5–8) described the bleed as stable.

Care Team & Treatment

The doctors and nurses were fantastic. Because the hemorrhage was stable, they treated swelling with a hypertonic (high‑saline) IV for a couple of days instead of operating. That was a huge relief — and it worked. The swelling eased without surgery and I stabilized.

Eight Days in the ICU

Dizziness and exhaustion were overwhelming at first; screens were intolerable. My speech wasn’t dramatically impaired, but it was a little off at the start and steadily strengthened. Before discharge I proved I could climb stairs, yet a half‑inch rise in the sidewalk still felt like a cliff.

The Long Road Back

I didn’t drive for two months and stayed off my boat almost as long. About a month in, I tried to write a check; the payee gently said it was unreadable, so he wrote it and I signed. The numbness that once affected both thighs resolved; today I have only a small sensory gap in my left thigh. It’s subtle but real — sometimes I’ll search for keys or a wallet that are actually in my left pocket because I don’t feel them well there. I avoided flying for nearly a year. Eventually balance returned, dizziness faded, and I resumed full seasons on the water. The only lingering issue is that long, multi‑page computer work still drains my focus.

In plain language: The bleed was in the brain’s balance center, it had stopped on its own, and the most dangerous complications didn’t happen.

Why This Recovery Is Rare

Cerebellar hemorrhages of this size — especially with a four‑day delay to treatment — often cause lasting disability or worse. In my case the bleed contained itself, there was no obstructive hydrocephalus, and careful ICU management with hypertonic saline controlled swelling. Time, rehab, and neuroplasticity did the rest. Years at sea likely sped up balance retraining.

Health, Diet, and Next Steps

In the hospital I was noted to have atrial fibrillation and long‑standing high blood pressure — likely contributors. I followed Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s plant‑forward approach for years, which I believe aided recovery. From a high of 411 lbs in 2008 I’m 320 in 2025 and working to break 299 with GLP‑1 support. I’m also considering a cardiac ablation for A‑fib.

A Message for Survivors and Caregivers

Recovery isn’t only physical; it’s mental. You rebuild confidence in tiny steps — a steady walk, a legible signature, a calm breath. If you’re facing a hemorrhagic stroke, take heart: progress can happen. I came close to death without knowing it. Seven years later I’m back on the ocean, telling passengers to leave their problems at the dock, and appreciating every sunrise I get to see.

Note: This story reflects my experience and imaging summaries. It isn’t medical advice. If you suspect a stroke, call emergency services immediately.