Twins' Strokes at 26: Arizona Sisters Both Suffer Strokes Months Apart
It's rare enough for a 26-year-old to experience a stroke so early in life. But when 26-year-old twin sisters both experience a stroke within mere months of each other? That would be whatever the opposite of a miracle is.
In July 2012, Kathryn Tucker was going to bed when she felt a sharp pain on the right side of the back of her head. Suddenly, she became numb and completely lost her ability to see.
"I was absolutely terrified," said Tucker. "I slept for three days straight...I could barely get around."
Though doctors first did not believe that Tucker was actually having a stroke, that was exactly what was happening. The Chandler, Ariz. native slept for three days straight and could not see in three dimensions for quite some time. Eventually, a neurologist realized what had happened to her and her condition was able to be treated.
That was bad enough. Nine months later to the day, however, the Tucker family experienced yet another scare. Kathryn's sister Kimberly fell victim to the same fate.
"The EMTs told me that the chance of both me and my sister having a stroke this young was that of being struck by lightning twice," Kimberly said.
Now, one would think that the fact that the two women were twins would have increased their chances for dual strokes, but that is not the case. Not only are both of the Tuckers fraternal twins, and therefore significantly more varied genetically, but their family has no history of strokes.
"Honestly, it's rare for us to actually evaluate two sisters who've had strokes within months of each other," said Dr. Joni Clark, a vascular neurologist at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. "If they had a family history, it would not be a surprise. It's quite uncommon."
The strokes weren't completely out of the blue, however. Both twins were smokers, suffered from migraines and were on birth control pills, all of which significantly increase the risk of strokes. Reflecting back, their experience has taught both Kathryn and Kimberly a valuable lesson.
"We think we are invincible until we are not," Kimberly said. "This taught us a huge lesson that we are not guaranteed great health and we need to take care of our bodies."
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!