At just 24 years old, Anne Fulke has already faced an unusually high number of hospital visits.
Her life changed dramatically in 2022 after a severe car accident that resulted in numerous broken bones, ten surgeries, and six months spent in a wheelchair.
“I was doing really well in all my classes, and then—boom—it was all taken away in an instant,” Fulke shared.
Despite these challenges, she managed to earn her degree and continued her education at Loyola University in Chicago.
Fulke, now a mental health therapist, employed healthy coping strategies, thinking her tragic phase was behind her.
“I believed that would be my only major medical issue in life,” she reflected.
However, on April 3, 2024, after working and playing basketball with a friend, she felt something unexpected. While having a glass of wine and doing laundry at home, she suddenly collapsed.
Initially, her friend panicked, but Fulke believed it might just be due to not eating enough that day.
After munching on a granola bar, she began to feel that something was really wrong. “I couldn’t even eat the granola bar,” she said, explaining how she struggled to chew on one side of her mouth.
Even though her friends urged her to go to the hospital, she thought resting would help her feel better in the morning.
“On my right side, it felt like I was convulsing, while my left side was completely unresponsive,” she described.
Eventually, her friend insisted they call 911, and by then, she was paralyzed on her left side.
“My friend helped me to bed, and I couldn’t move the left side at all,” Fulke recounted.
When the EMTs arrived, she noticed their shocked expressions.
“They looked surprised, saying I showed symptoms of a stroke. I could tell they thought it was wild,” she recalled.
At the hospital, they ran some tests. Fulke couldn’t fully recall every detail but remembered speaking with her family and the doctor confirming her stroke diagnosis.
The medical team found a clot on the right side of her brain, which impacted the left side of her body.
“They were just as shocked as I was,” she noted.
“I worked for a month after the stroke, explaining my situation to coworkers, and honestly, I think some didn’t believe me,” she said.
She was faced with a tough decision: risky surgery or the chance of her body fighting the stroke with the risk of severe brain damage.
“I asked if there was a third option, but there wasn’t,” she chuckled, realizing her best bet was the surgery, which ultimately succeeded.
Following a four-day hospital stay with frequent checks from the medical staff, she began her recovery.
“People were supportive, and having a positive mindset helped me through this ordeal,” she added.
Before her stroke, Fulke was living a healthy lifestyle. She didn’t smoke, drank occasionally, exercised regularly, and maintained a balanced diet.
“Some believed the accident might have had a role in my stroke,” she stated.
Her surgeon noted that Fulke had been on oral contraceptives, which can elevate the risk of stroke.
She had also been working long hours, leading to high caffeine consumption.
“I was drinking a lot of caffeine, particularly a new energy drink,” she shared.
Experts suggest moderation, as high caffeine intake can lead to increased blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.
“While there’s no definitive evidence linking energy drinks to strokes, they can create conditions that increase risk,” her surgeon explained.
Since her stroke, Fulke has cut back on caffeine and, although doctors assure her the risk of another stroke is low as long as she sticks to her medication, she refuses to let fear control her life.
“I hope to continue moving forward without letting this experience hold me back. I believe having a strong, positive mindset is crucial, and I’m fortunate to have a great support system,” she said.
