Robert Pierce

Robert Pierce is thankful for the quick response of his wife, hospital staff – and himself – after experiencing what looked and felt like a stroke.

On August 7, 2024, the 49-year-old was at home when he felt an unusual sensation on his face and arm. Suddenly, he was unable to see out of his left eye and when he looked in the mirror, he saw the left side of his face was drooping. He immediately contacted his wife, Kris, a radiology tech at Medical City North Hills. Robert texted her a photo of his face and she instantly knew this was an emergency and to act FAST.

When Pierce arrived at the emergency room at Medical City North Hills, an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, he had lost coordination and was barely able to walk. Physicians diagnosed him with a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that leads to symptoms similar to a stroke. He was given an IV medication to dissolve blood clots and within an hour, his symptoms began to improve. Robert was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) and was able to move his legs and arms by the next day.

Today, all of Pierce’s symptoms have resolved and he is back to work and life, grateful for the quick responses that helped him recover. He and his wife also are sharing reminders of the simple acronym FAST, which can help identify the signs and symptoms of stroke:

• F = Face Drooping Does one side of their face droop? Ask the person to smile. 
• A = Arm Weakness Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S = Speech Difficulty Is the speech slurred or strange?
• T = Time to call 911.

Medical City Healthcare, supported by HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation, is a proud supporter of the American Heart Association’s Getting to the Heart of Stroke™ initiative to champion stroke prevention.