On World Stroke Day, survivor and Johnston-Willis Hospital pharmacist reflects on journey

On May 8, Chesterfield resident Chris Hayes had just left the gym, like countless times before, when he suddenly felt a strange sensation on his right arm. After driving to the grocery store, his vision became blurry and he began to stumble, collapsing in the parking lot. He had suffered a stroke.

Chris was rushed to Johnston-Willis Hospital, where he has been a pharmacist for nearly 25 years. Although he was alert, he was unable to speak.

Upon his arrival, the care team acted quickly to remove the blood clot. The projected brain damage was catastrophic, so it was imperative to act swiftly so he would have the best outcome.

In the U.S., where someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, it is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability. But it is also preventable and treatable.

Over the next several days, Chris was flooded by an outpouring of care from the therapy team, his pharmacy colleagues, and the neuroscience team as they worked collaboratively to help Chris begin his recovery journey and lift his spirits.

From working with pretend pill bottles, to playing familiar music so he could hum along, Chris received care tailored to his interests and circumstances.

“They incorporated his needs into his care and recovery,” said Chris’ wife, Kim Hayes, CEO for HCA Virginia’s Capital Division supply chain. “That’s the care like family part.”

Knowing his love for music, and wanting to lift his spirits, his pharmacy colleagues even had a Cameo video made for Chris with a message from the Van Zant brothers.

Despite being diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation a decade ago, Chris was at low risk of having a stroke. He said that the unexpected turn of events left “a mountain to climb” for him and his family, but one they were determined to overcome.

Over the next few months, Chris worked hard not only to heal, but to return to work – his “why” for getting better. His days were filled with speech therapy, including “speech on the beach” where he studied pharmacy flashcards on family vacation.

In late September, just over four months after his stroke, Chris returned to work.

“All those months of doing three or four hours of speech therapy a day - it’s very encouraging to be here,” Chris said.

To commemorate World Stroke Day on Oct. 29, Chris and Kim attended the Johnston-Willis Hospitals’ second annual stroke survivor celebration, sharing his story and reflecting on the journey along with other stroke survivors and their families, nurses, first responders and other caregivers.