Stroke Survivor Shares Journey of Resilience at Reunion Event

On the eve of World Stroke Day, survivors gathered to celebrate their resilience during a historic event in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. The UPMC Pinnacle Foundation and UPMC Neurological Institute hosted their first-ever Stroke Survivors Reunion, uniting dozens of individuals and their families to honor recovery and second chances.

Among the attendees was Ed Hermance, an 80-year-old who shared his inspiring recovery story. On May 17, 2023, Hermance experienced a stroke while navigating the stairs in his home. His wife and daughter recognized the alarming symptoms—drooping face, slurred speech, and loss of movement on his left side—and promptly called for emergency assistance.

“I was coming down the stairs when it hit me. My wife held on to me, and my daughter, who was cleaning at the other end of the house, recognized I had a stroke,” Hermance recounted during the reunion. Medical professionals at UPMC West Shore Hospital later identified a blood clot on the right side of his brain, possibly resulting from an open-heart surgery he had undergone just a month prior to the stroke, which involved the implantation of a new aortic valve and a pacemaker.

Hermance recalled the disorientation he felt, stating, “I only remember being in the ambulance going to Harrisburg. Then they rolled me onto the operating table, and that’s what I remember.” Dr. Bart Thaci, a neurosurgeon at UPMC, performed a thrombectomy—a minimally invasive procedure that removes blood clots via a catheter inserted through the wrist or groin.

“To see a patient later doing great without any symptoms, and considering how serious it could have been, is incredibly rewarding,” Thaci noted. “It seems like that day didn’t happen for him.” Thanks to the swift medical response, Hermance has made a remarkable recovery. He is now walking, talking, and even driving again.

Gratitude and Milestones

Looking ahead, Hermance expressed enthusiasm about attending his granddaughter’s graduation in December, a milestone he initially feared he might miss. “I’m very grateful for what medicine can do these days. I keep saying, on the day I had my stroke, all the pieces fell into place to help me recover,” he shared.

Dr. Alexander Rovner, a neurologist involved in Hermance’s post-surgery evaluation, emphasized the importance of timely intervention. “Success stories like Ed’s are rare but are becoming more common as we improve our understanding of stroke prevention and recognition,” Rovner explained. He urged the public to act quickly when stroke symptoms are present, following the acronym “BE FAST” to identify critical signs: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, and Time.

The medical team at UPMC credited Hermance’s family for their prompt actions, which were instrumental in his recovery. “The earlier patients are taken to the hospital, the higher the chance for neurologists and neurosurgeons to make a significant difference,” Rovner added.

A Joyful Return to Life

Today, Hermance enjoys a full life, relishing trips to the Finger Lakes and planning visits to Michigan State University for his granddaughter Emma’s graduation. “It’s a miracle that I’m able to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, to enjoy life again,” he said, reflecting on his journey. “To go out and see Emma at Michigan—that’s the icing on the cake.”

The reunion not only highlighted individual stories of recovery but also reinforced the critical role of awareness and quick action in stroke incidents. As survivors like Hermance share their journeys, they inspire others to prioritize health and recognize the vital signs of strokes.