Patient Testimonials - Kristen Hopper

New life for patient after hemicraniectomy

Kristen Hopper was only 31 when she suffered a large stroke while teaching an aerobics class. Her stroke was caused by a blood clot due to high homocysteine and the use of birth control pills and resulted in severe brain swelling. In order to save her life, she underwent a hemicraniectomy which is a surgery that removes part of the skull. This allows the brain swelling to occur out rather than pushing on other normal areas of brain. Recent studies have shown that only two of these operations need to be performed to save one life.

Kristen recovered with some weakness in the left arm and hand. She no longer uses a cane and is able to walk with the aide of an Ankle-Foot Orthotic, a special brace that is designed to help control the motion of the ankle joint and also offer support to the foot. She has regained enough of her peripherial vision to once again drive. Five years after the stroke, Kristen had a baby, who is approaching her fifth birthday. and took a trip to Europe three years after that. She is celebrating the 10th anniversary since her stroke on September 8, 2008.