'You're Not Alone'

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1 min read

“Valentines’ Day of last year I had a stroke,” reveals Jeff Heisert, who had a blood clot behind his right eye. “I was completely paralyzed and blind. Dr. May Nour, my interventional radiologist, went through my torso, through the right carotid that was blocked, and up into my brain. They literally pulled the blood cot out. Instantaneously, I could move again. It was amazing. UCLA Health saved my life. Then, they told me I could continue living the life I was and die relatively soon, or I can change my life. I wasn’t going to the doctor or taking care of myself. My father died of a heart attack at age 48, and my brother died of a heart attack at age 28. They didn’t get a second chance. Now, I’ve lost 100 pounds. I workout every day. No matter what, I eat healthy. I take my medications, and I go to my doctor routinely. I’m part of a stroke survivors group, and I want to be able to help the next group of people. I want to let them know they’re not alone in the next steps of their life.”