BLOOMINGTON The first two patients to have the Solitaire procedure in Bloomington-Normal illustrate that the new stroke treatment may be used on middle-aged as well as older adults.
David Rice
A 48-year-old Normal man with two sons, David Rice has an active lifestyle. Hes in sales and project management for Probuild, a building materials supplier. He sees his doctor regularly, exercises and eats well.
I would have to say I was in excellent health, he said.
Late afternoon on May 19, Rice was taking a break from exercising with his 8-year-old son, Ryan, when he suddenly became dizzy and fell to the floor. His speech was slurred and he couldnt get up because the left side of his body was paralyzed.
Paramedics took Rice to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, where doctors concluded he was having a stroke.
He was given the intravenous medicine tPA to dissolve the blood clot in his brain that was causing the stroke, but it didnt work as well as doctors had hoped.
Dr. Ajeet Gordhan asked whether he could use the Solitaire device to remove the clot. Rice agreed.
I figured Lets do whatever we need to do.
The procedure was performed that night. By the next day, he was able to lift both arms and legs and squeeze his hands, although his speech remained slurred and he had a facial droop.
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B-N families thankful for new stroke treatment option