From near-death to new outlook: Fort Worth man raises awareness on brain health
A Fort Worth man is back on the job just three months after surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm.
He’s living proof of ‘Something Good’ as we celebrate National Live Fearless Day on September 2.
Brian Abalos came out on the other side of an emergency that doctors say many patients don’t live through.
“I never imagined something like this would happen to me,” Abalos said. “I’m just grateful to be alive and back with my family.”
The 57-year-old has worked for decades as a lineman, having no fear of heights and loving every moment on what is considered a dangerous job. However, it was a shock that his near-death experience in life would happen on the ground and off the clock.
Abalos had just arrived home from work when the aneurysm ruptured, sending him into a fight for his life. He was rushed to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, where a team of specialists discovered not only the aneurysm, but also a stroke and multiple blood clots, including one that traveled to his lungs.
“Mr. Abalos survived what most patients die from,” said Dr. Matthew Fiesta, an interventional neuroradiologist at Texas Health Fort Worth. “He faced so many life-threatening moments, which is why his story is so incredible.”
Doctors performed several emergency procedures, including an advanced treatment called flow diversion embolization. Texas Health Fort Worth was the first hospital in North Texas to offer the FDA-approved technology earlier this year, before it launched commercially across the U.S. in June.
The intricate technique involves insertion of a flexible microcatheter through an artery between the base of the thumb and wrist and guiding the flow diverter device to the ruptured brain vessel. The catheter is used to place a metallic mesh stent, which diverts blood away from the damaged blood vessel, strengthening the walls and preventing additional ruptures.
Abalos spent 32 days in the hospital before returning home to recover. His wife, Shelly, says prayer and the support of loved ones carried them through.
“So much was happening,” she said. “I spent a lot of time on my knees, praying he’d get better.”
Three months later, Abalos was able to fully enjoy life with his family and even go back to work.
“Time is very precious because it can all end in a second,” Abalos told NBC 5. “I’m just so happy and so thankful to be here. It’s like I’ve gotten a second chance and I’m just trying to make the best of my time here and be positive and love my family.”
Doctors credit both his resilience and the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary care team, from neurosurgery to interventional radiology, for making his recovery possible.
“I’m just living life to the fullest and enjoying my time with my family, enjoying my job, being able to go outside and do what I do and smell the air and see the trees.” “I’ve got a different outlook on things nowadays because it’s, life is very precious.”
KNOW THE RISKS/SIGNS
Dr. Fiesta says brain aneurysms can affect anyone, but data shows some higher risks.
“Women are about 1.5 to two times more likely than men to develop brain aneurysms, and the increased risk is more pronounced after menopause. Women also have an increased risk of aneurysm rupture, about 1.5x that of men for women over 55 years old,” he said. “Most aneurysms are detected between the ages of 35 to 60 with an average rupture age of about 50 years old.”
Dr. Fiesta said it’s also important to know your family history.
“You have a significantly increased risk of aneurysms if you have a first-degree relative with a history of aneurysms,” he said. “If you know you have these risk factors, it is important to undergo screening. I typically recommend patients start screening in their 20s, and I like to suggest an MRA Head (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) as an initial screening exam, since it has no radiation and no contrast administered.”
Aneurysms can form through the following risk factors:
- high blood pressure
- cigarette smoking
- heavy alcohol use or other illicit drugs
- head trauma
Doctors say it is also important to recognize and not ignore the signs and symptoms of aneurysm rupture, which include patients complaining of:
- sudden onset of the worst headache of their life
- decreased consciousness and alertness
- nausea and vomiting
- stiff neck
- sudden weakness
- eye sensitivity to bright light
- seizures
- visual changes (including double vision and temporary vision loss in one eye)
If you recognize these alarming symptoms, doctors say to call 911 to get to the nearest emergency room.
A Fort Worth man is back on the job just three months after surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm.
He’s living proof of ‘Something Good’ as we celebrate National Live Fearless Day on September 2.
Brian Abalos came out on the other side of an emergency that doctors say many patients don’t live through.
“I never imagined something like this would happen to me,” Abalos said. “I’m just grateful to be alive and back with my family.”
The 57-year-old has worked for decades as a lineman, having no fear of heights and loving every moment on what is considered a dangerous job. However, it was a shock that his near-death experience in life would happen on the ground and off the clock.
Abalos had just arrived home from work when the aneurysm ruptured, sending him into a fight for his life. He was rushed to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, where a team of specialists discovered not only the aneurysm, but also a stroke and multiple blood clots, including one that traveled to his lungs.
“Mr. Abalos survived what most patients die from,” said Dr. Matthew Fiesta, an interventional neuroradiologist at Texas Health Fort Worth. “He faced so many life-threatening moments, which is why his story is so incredible.”
Doctors performed several emergency procedures, including an advanced treatment called flow diversion embolization. Texas Health Fort Worth was the first hospital in North Texas to offer the FDA-approved technology earlier this year, before it launched commercially across the U.S. in June.
The intricate technique involves insertion of a flexible microcatheter through an artery between the base of the thumb and wrist and guiding the flow diverter device to the ruptured brain vessel. The catheter is used to place a metallic mesh stent, which diverts blood away from the damaged blood vessel, strengthening the walls and preventing additional ruptures.
Abalos spent 32 days in the hospital before returning home to recover. His wife, Shelly, says prayer and the support of loved ones carried them through.
“So much was happening,” she said. “I spent a lot of time on my knees, praying he’d get better.”
Three months later, Abalos was able to fully enjoy life with his family and even go back to work.
“Time is very precious because it can all end in a second,” Abalos told NBC 5. “I’m just so happy and so thankful to be here. It’s like I’ve gotten a second chance and I’m just trying to make the best of my time here and be positive and love my family.”
Doctors credit both his resilience and the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary care team, from neurosurgery to interventional radiology, for making his recovery possible.
“I’m just living life to the fullest and enjoying my time with my family, enjoying my job, being able to go outside and do what I do and smell the air and see the trees.” “I’ve got a different outlook on things nowadays because it’s, life is very precious.”
KNOW THE RISKS/SIGNS
Dr. Fiesta says brain aneurysms can affect anyone, but data shows some higher risks.
“Women are about 1.5 to two times more likely than men to develop brain aneurysms, and the increased risk is more pronounced after menopause. Women also have an increased risk of aneurysm rupture, about 1.5x that of men for women over 55 years old,” he said. “Most aneurysms are detected between the ages of 35 to 60 with an average rupture age of about 50 years old.”
Dr. Fiesta said it’s also important to know your family history.
“You have a significantly increased risk of aneurysms if you have a first-degree relative with a history of aneurysms,” he said. “If you know you have these risk factors, it is important to undergo screening. I typically recommend patients start screening in their 20s, and I like to suggest an MRA Head (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) as an initial screening exam, since it has no radiation and no contrast administered.”
Aneurysms can form through the following risk factors:
- high blood pressure
- cigarette smoking
- heavy alcohol use or other illicit drugs
- head trauma
Doctors say it is also important to recognize and not ignore the signs and symptoms of aneurysm rupture, which include patients complaining of:
- sudden onset of the worst headache of their life
- decreased consciousness and alertness
- nausea and vomiting
- stiff neck
- sudden weakness
- eye sensitivity to bright light
- seizures
- visual changes (including double vision and temporary vision loss in one eye)
If you recognize these alarming symptoms, doctors say to call 911 to get to the nearest emergency room.