From PR Director to Patient: Chloe’s Stroke Journey

Chloe Middleton, a 31-year-old PR agency director, recounts how months of unusual thunderclap headaches culminated in a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and a hemorrhagic stroke. Transferred to a specialist center, she underwent three brain surgeries, spent weeks in ICU and faced intensive rehab. Chloe describes right-sided ataxia, dysarthria, severe fatigue and relearning basic tasks such as walking, cooking and typing. The episode emphasizes the realities of early recovery and the need for patience, pacing and professional therapy while navigating uncertainty about future risks and long-term outcomes.

80% of strokes are preventable. Get screened today for your risks of stroke and/or cardiovascular diseases.

• Lifeline Screening

The Stroke Sisters app (also available in both app stores):

• https://strokesisters.app

Books by Angie Read:

• Invisible Scars: Stroke Survival, Recovery, and the Unexpected Mental Health Fallout
• Mental Health Hacks: 10 Easy Hacks to Help Manage Anxiety and Depression
• Identity Crisis: You Are Not Your Career
• RISE: Mastering the Art of Resilience