health
A massive stroke left a man partially paralyzed. His wife's response led to "a miracle" recovery.
August 8, 2026 / 8:00 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Todd Meiklejohn, a healthy and fit individual in his mid-50s, suffered a massive stroke on August 8, 2025.
- His wife found him paralyzed and immediately called 911, initiating rapid medical intervention.
- Meiklejohn underwent a mechanical thrombectomy at Miami Neuroscience Institute within 38 minutes of his wife's call, minimizing lasting damage.
- Doctors discovered Meiklejohn had a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), a small opening between the heart's upper chambers, which allowed a blood clot to travel to his brain.
- Following a procedure to close the PFO, Meiklejohn made a remarkable recovery, returning to work within four weeks and completing a 100-mile bike ride two months later.
- Meiklejohn aims to raise awareness about stroke treatment and the critical importance of fast reaction times.