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Stroke Survivor's Heartfelt Thank You to Life-Saving Surgeon
19 Dec
Summary
- Patient reunited with surgeon who saved his life through emergency brain surgery.
- Stroke survivor credits COVID-19 for causing blood clots that affected his brain.
- He expressed immense gratitude, calling the reunion the best holiday gift.
John Monaghan, a 51-year-old stroke survivor from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, achieved a deeply personal wish this week: reuniting with the neurosurgeon who saved his life. Dr. Jan-Karl Burkhardt performed critical emergency brain surgery on Valentine's Day 2021 to remove a life-threatening blood clot.
Monaghan's stroke was caused by twelve blood clots that traveled to his brain, a complication stemming from a prior COVID-19 infection. He faced a difficult recovery, including relearning to walk, but is now fully healed and profoundly thankful for the opportunity to express his gratitude in person.
This reunion, occurring nearly five years after the stroke, carries special significance during the holiday season. Monaghan stated that seeing Dr. Burkhardt and being able to say thank you face-to-face is the best Christmas present he could receive, highlighting the profound impact of the surgeon's intervention.
