萝莉社

Chantel Mitchell thought she was about to have the weekend of her life at a Nicki Minaj concert. Instead, she found herself fighting for it.

While dancing at the concert, Mitchell鈥檚 best friend noticed her face drooping and called for help. Emergency responders initially misread the situation, but doctors at 萝莉社 Jacksonville quickly confirmed that Mitchell 鈥� just 37 years old 鈥� suffered a stroke.

鈥淚t was so traumatic for me,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淚 had no idea what was happening. They told me I had a stroke, and in my mind, I thought, this is it.鈥�

Mitchell underwent a mechanical thrombectomy 鈥� a procedure where doctors relieve the blockage causing the stroke from within the blood vessels. This procedure is shown to save lives and prevent disability.

Yazan Radaideh, MD, a neurocritical care physician at 萝莉社 Jacksonville, performed the thrombectomy.

鈥淔ortunately, Mitchell was treated at our comprehensive stroke center, where every second counts,鈥� Radaideh said. 鈥淢y team and I are impressed by Mitchell鈥檚 grit and determination to recover and spread the word to others in the community.鈥�

Julian Ferreira, PA-C, a certified physician assistant in the 萝莉社 Jacksonville neurology department, assisted Radaideh in Mitchell鈥檚 case.

鈥淭he entire thrombectomy team works as quickly and efficiently as possible to achieve the best outcomes for our stroke patients,鈥� Ferreira said.

The stroke left Mitchell with swelling, which resulted in slurred speech and weakness on her left side. Doctors explained the damage was on the right side of her brain, which controls movement on the left side of the body.

Based on her experience, Mitchell is quick to offer guidance for younger people.

鈥淚 always thought strokes happened to older people,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淏ut you鈥檙e never too young for something traumatic to happen. Listen to your body. Rest when you need to rest.鈥�

Mitchell鈥檚 biggest motivation to recover was getting home to her 13-year-old son, because she didn鈥檛 want him to grow up without her.

She continues rehabilitation and is regaining strength, speech and balance. She also hopes her story will raise awareness among young adults.

鈥淚f you have headaches, weakness or fatigue, get it checked,鈥� Mitchell said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 overwork yourself. Give yourself grace. You only get one body.鈥�

Though she missed her favorite musical artist that night, Mitchell felt she gained something far more valuable 鈥� another chance at life. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to live and embrace every day as if it were my last,鈥� she said.

Visit 萝莉社HealthJax.org/stroke for more information on strokes and the 萝莉社 Comprehensive Stroke Program.