October 24, 2022, was just another day for Jesse Randolph. After work, the information technology professional went to the gym, watched Netflix in his home “man cave,” and then went to bed.

Around 3 a.m. the next morning, he woke up but couldn’t get out of bed.

“I was trying to go to the bathroom, and I couldn't move my entire right side. My wife woke up, but I couldn't speak,” said Jesse. “I somehow used my left side to roll over and I fell onto the floor. My wife saw my face was a little taut on the one side. She immediately called 911 and said, ‘My husband is having a stroke.’”

An ambulance rushed Jesse from his Cherry Hill home to Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where the stroke team was waiting for him. Imaging tests confirmed a clot was causing his stroke, and he was rushed to the hospital’s advanced hybrid operating room for immediate treatment.

Led by Omar Choudhri, MD, FAANS, a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon with the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Neurosciences Program, the team performed a procedure called a thrombectomy. They inserted a catheter through an artery in Jesse’s groin and threaded it into his brain. Using suction, Dr. Choudhri pulled out the clot, restoring blood flow.

With stroke, every minute counts

Paralysis on one side of the body and trouble speaking are two common signs of stroke. Other symptoms include confusion, problems seeing in one or both eyes, severe headache, and trouble walking.

“Time is brain. Every second blood flow is blocked, you're losing millions of brain cells,” said Dr. Choudhri. “We were able to quickly open all the affected blood vessels in his brain.”

Within three hours of the surgery, Jesse was moving his arms and legs. He was discharged from the hospital the next day.

Heart rhythm connection

In 2010, Jesse was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat that makes you five times more likely to have a stroke.

“If the heart isn't beating properly, the blood slows down and clots can form,” said Dr. Choudhri. “If the clot is on the left side of the heart, it can move into the brain and cause a stroke. If it’s on the right side, it can go to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.”

Jesse is sorry he didn't consistently take blood thinners to reduce the risk of clots or change his lifestyle to help manage his condition.

“I’m extremely thankful just to be alive,” said Jesse. “Strokes are real. If there’s anything you can do, any medication you can take, please do it.”

Jesse’s complete recovery 

Amazingly, Jesse did not need physical therapy. Dr. Choudhri attributes Jesse’s recovery to his wife’s recognition of his stroke symptoms—both of her parents had strokes—and the team’s ability to quickly remove the clot.

“This is the type of outcome we aspire to achieve,” said Dr. Choudhri.

Jesse is thankful for everyone who saved his life.

“I’m blessed,” he said. “I can’t say I’m thankful enough for all the team did for me.”

Your destination for brain health

When it comes to stroke, you need to act fast to prevent or limit long-lasting damage. Available 24/7, the Virtua Neurosciences Program is here for you when you need us most. Make an appointment with a Virtua stroke specialist.