Iowa man shares story of recovery after life-threatening stroke
By KCCI Staff
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DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — A routine morning quickly turned into a medical emergency for a Waukee man after he suffered a life-threatening stroke. Thanks to quick action and a specialized procedure at MercyOne, he was able to make a full recovery.
Drew Strube, 43, began experiencing double vision, dizziness and trouble following a sleep study on May 6. He was taken to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, where doctors found a blockage in his basilar artery, one of the major arteries supplying blood to the brain.
Interventional radiologist Dr. Alan McDaniel performed an emergency thrombectomy, guiding a catheter through an artery in Strube’s groin to remove the clot. Strube said he was physically and neurologically normal by about 8:30 that morning, despite how serious the stroke had been.
“I had no family history of any heart disease, vascular disease or anything like that; it was a complete out-of-left-field thing,” he said. “I had no expectation for and don’t expect to have anything afterwards.”
At the hospital, his wife Jaclyn had a more frightening awareness of the blockage that paralyzed one side of his body.
“Drew was incredibly fortunate to be in the hands of medical professionals at the onset of his stroke and taken to the hospital with a top stroke center,” she said.
Strube said this health challenge made him appreciate his life and love for fitness. Since his impressive recovery, he has returned to his role coaching the Waukee Warriors football team. His experience highlights the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms and getting emergency treatment quickly, especially when advanced stroke care is available.
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