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| source : people.com |
We’ve all heard the phrase “life can change in an instant,” but for 35-year-old Maricela Hernandez Quezada, that moment came somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean.
It started like any international trip, boarding a long-haul flight from Turkey to Mexico, excited for the journey ahead. But mid-air, something went very wrong. She began to feel off, disoriented, weak, and struggling to speak. What she didn’t know then? She was in the middle of having a stroke.
Thankfully, a doctor happened to be on board. That twist of fate, plus the pilot’s emergency landing in Houston, likely saved her life.
When Your Body Sends a Distress Signal 35,000 Feet in the Air
Dr. Haris Kamal, a neurologist at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, was waiting when Maricela was rushed off the plane. She was paralyzed on the right side of her body, her words jumbled, her comprehension impaired. As Dr. Kamal described it, she was showing full-blown symptoms of a major stroke.
What struck me most while researching this story wasn’t just the medical miracle, it was Maricela’s disbelief:
“I was in shock. I’m healthy. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink. I thought, how is this possible?”
It’s a feeling many stroke patients share, especially younger ones. The truth is, strokes don’t only target the elderly or the unwell. More and more, people in their 30s and 40s are facing them, and travel can be a hidden risk factor.
What Likely Caused the Stroke?
Dr. Kamal believes the culprit was a blood clot formed during the long flight, likely due to a combination of dehydration, sitting still for hours, and not stretching.
This is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot that forms in the leg and can travel to the lungs or, in this case, the brain. It’s a serious risk during long flights if you’re not moving around or drinking enough fluids.
Let’s be real, how many of us on 10+ hour flights truly hydrate or make time to walk the aisle every hour or so?
Emergency Response and A Life-Saving Surgery
The quick landing in Houston led to a fast response team getting her to Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital. She was then flown by Life Flight to a second hospital in The Woodlands where Dr. Kamal and his team were ready.
Using a catheter inserted through her leg, Dr. Kamal removed the brain clot in a delicate, time-sensitive procedure.
Post-surgery, the turnaround was remarkable: Maricela went from being paralyzed and speechless to walking, talking, and expected to make a full recovery. That’s not just skill, it’s also a reminder of how critical timing is during a stroke.
“I feel like a new person,” she said. “And I feel blessed by the care I received.”
Know the Signs: B.E. F.A.S.T.
Maricela was lucky, she had a doctor on board and a fast emergency response. But most of us won’t. That’s why knowing the signs of a stroke matters, deeply.
Here’s the acronym doctors want everyone to remember:
B.E. F.A.S.T.
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Balance loss
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Eyesight changes
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Face drooping
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Arm weakness
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Speech difficulty
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Time to call 911
It sounds simple, but these six letters can save lives.
What We Can Learn From This
I researched this story not just because it was dramatic, but because it’s relatable. Many of us travel long distances. Many of us assume we're "too young" for something like a stroke. But the reality? It can happen to anyone.
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Get up and stretch every 1–2 hours on long flights.
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Stay hydrated.
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Know the signs.
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Listen to your body, even if you “seem” healthy.
Maricela’s story could’ve ended very differently. But thanks to awareness, swift medical care, and a bit of luck, she’s got a second chance. And maybe, just maybe, reading this will help someone else catch the signs early, before it’s too late.