Twins' Strokes at 26 Stump Doctors, Sisters Start Lifestyle Changes
Twin sisters suffered strokes within months of each other, puzzling doctors and astonishing their family. The sisters have recovered from their strokes and are receiving proper care for their condition.
Kathryn Tucker and her sister Kimberly, 26, both suffered from a stroke last year within nine months of one another. Doctors were confused, given the fact that the girls are fraternal twins, meaning that they do not share the same DNA or odds of developing the condition.
"Honestly, it's rare for us to actually evaluate two sisters who've had strokes within months of each other. If they had a family history, it would not be a surprise. It's quite uncommon," Dr. Joni Clark, a vascular neurologist at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, told ABC News.
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"I was absolutely terrified," Kathryn said. She first felt a sharp pain in the back of her head before losing her vision and going completely numb. Fortunately, her brother was visiting her apartment and was able to get her to the hospital quickly.
Doctors dismissed Kathryn with a migraine and sent her home, even though she was, in fact, suffering from a stroke.
"I slept for three days straight. Then, when I woke up, my vision was horrible. Everything was distorted and one-dimensional. I could barely get around," Kathryn explained.
She went back to the hospital and this time was treated for her stroke. Then, nine months to the day, Kimberly experienced the same symptoms, which she recognized from her sister's ordeal. Kimberly immediately went to the hospital and received the proper tests and treatment.
Doctors said that the twins' lifestyles increased their odds for stroke: smoking, suffering from migraines, and taking birth control. Those three things all contributed to make them more vulnerable to having a stroke.
"Don't think you are impervious to stroke," Kimberly said. "We think we are invincible until we are not. This taught us a huge lesson that we are not guaranteed great health and we need to take care of our bodies."
Today the twins are under a doctor's care and have worked to improve their lifestyles to prevent further health risks.
"I still notice some weakness when I am tired," Kathryn told East Idaho News. "Otherwise, I am fine, physically back to normal."
"We are super close," Kimberly added. "I think we always have been close, but this definitely brought us closer. Honestly, she is the only person who understands because we are going through it together."
