Cassie Everly

I walk because I am a stroke survivor. I want to help educate the community, increase awareness of heart disease and stroke, and raise money to help fund lifesaving research.

In October 2021, I had an ischemic stroke. I was 32 and fairly healthy. My primary doctor always considered me an “easy patient” when I saw her each year for my annual physical. There was no warning – it just happened. I went to Pilates that morning and picked up coffee on my way home. Spence and I took our dog out for a walk and when we got back inside I went to reach for a paper towel to dry off our dog’s paws and that’s when it happened. I was stuck – I couldn’t move. I wanted to ask Spence “what’s happening?” but I couldn’t speak. Fortunately, he recognized that this was an emergency. From his perspective I had all of the signs: weakness on one side of my body, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, and a lack of balance. He told me he was going to call 911 and I very confidently told him “No” (ironically this was the one word I could say correctly and confidently), so we compromised and agreed he’d drive me to the ER. Hindsight is 20/20 and I know now that this was the wrong decision. Always call 911 if there is a suspected stroke.

I was taken to triage immediately after arriving at the hospital and after they asked me a few questions (that I was unable to answer or repeat back) they put me in stroke protocol. After a CT scan, the nurse told me “they found something in your brain” and that’s really when I understood the severity of the situation. I was transported to another hospital where I spent the next 24 hours in the Neuro ICU and an additional 3 days on the PCU floor. Thankfully I fully recovered within about 7 hours of the stroke, but no one understood why I had a stroke to begin with so I spent the next few days going through a lot of tests and scans. We learned I had a PFO (hole in my heart) after an echocardiogram and bubble study. The following day my cardiologist did a TEE procedure to get a better look at the PFO and further evaluate my heart, and then put a LINQ heart monitor in me to watch for abnormal heartbeats. An ultrasound was ordered for my legs to look for signs of DVT but nothing showed. On my last day in the hospital, the medical team ordered a CT scan on my pelvis as a last resort to try and find a blood clot, and that’s how we found the clot – on a complete whim. We then knew that a piece of the clot had broken off, traveled through the hole in my heart, and got lodged in my brain. What we’ll never know for sure is why I had the clot to begin with.

After being discharged I was put on blood thinners to reduce my risk of developing new blood clots, and I had more blood tests, CT scans, and a lot of doctor appointments with a variety of specialists. I also started seeing a therapist to help me process and deal with my anxiety post-stroke, and this was one of the best decisions I ever could have made for myself. Everyone should have a therapist! In April 2022 I met with an interventional cardiologist who recommended a procedure to close my PFO and I had the procedure in May 2022, drastically reducing my risk of having another stroke, and making it so I should be able to eventually stop taking blood thinners.

I share my story for a few reasons. First and foremost, I want to help educate others and remind you to look out for yourself, your loved ones, and those around you. Emergencies, stroke included, are not ‘one size fits all’ and can truly happen to anyone. I also think this is a reminder to just be kind. You don’t know what other people are going through, and it doesn’t take a lot of effort to smile or say “thank you” or hold the door open for someone.

I know I’m lucky and I’m extremely thankful that I’m in the position I’m in. I know this could have been a much different story. This is why I’m raising money for the American Heart Association. The AHA works to fund lifesaving research that can help reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke.