When Moments Matter

It was a normal Thursday afternoon in January of 2020, and Darryl Kepler was coaching wrestling practice at Central Bucks High School West (CB West). “That’s why I knew he couldn’t be the one knocking on the door,” said Marianne Kepler.

A fellow coach and friend had come to their home to personally deliver some shocking news. “He told me that Darryl had a stroke on the mat at practice and they’re taking him to Doylestown Hospital’s Emergency Department,” Marianne said. “I just couldn’t believe what I was hearing. We were planning to go out to dinner with friends that night and then, in a second, everything changed. I prayed and then texted everyone I knew asking them to please pray for Darryl’s well-being.”

Darryl, a Bucks County native, had been a wrestling coach in the community for decades. He was in good shape, “for a guy my age,” he said, “with no risk factors for a stroke.” When Darryl couldn’t get up from the mat at practice, “Something was really wrong,” he said. “I couldn’t speak or move.” Fortunately, fellow coaches knew the signs of stroke and acted quickly, calling 9-1-1.

It was a great relief to Marianne that Doylestown Hospital is located in such close proximity to CB West, “because every moment between the stroke and treatment counts,” she said.

Life Saving Stroke Treatment

Doylestown Health is designated as a Stroke Resource Center by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, and is also a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center. “As scary as this was, I knew he was in good hands,” said Marianne. “Our friend told me that they asked Darryl to say his name. When he couldn’t, they knew to tell the emergency dispatchers that it was a stroke, and they activated the protocol which alerted the hospital staff that a stroke victim was on the way. Darryl was getting treatment within 20 minutes of the onset and minutes of his arrival. It was incredible.”

In many cases, administering blood clot-busting medications is extremely effective, but “Dr. Guidera told us that in Darryl’s situation the medication wasn’t working as well as it should, and that the best option was to remove the clot surgically,” said Marianne.

Intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) is a minimally invasive procedure in which the obstruction blocking blood flow to the brain is removed. The procedure is performed at Doylestown Hospital by board-certified interventional cardiologists like Steven Guidera, MD. According to Dr. Guidera, “Darryl’s stroke was due to a large vessel occlusion. These are uniformly devastating strokes which can result in profound neurologic injury and subsequent disability. Unfortunately, for large vessel occlusion strokes, clot-busting medications are effective in only 10-15% of patients. The best hope for neurologic recovery depends on physical removal of the obstructing clot from the clogged brain artery.”

“Dr. Guidera gave us all the confidence in the world, but it was still the longest night of my life,” said Marianne. Fortunately, the procedure went incredibly well. “The next morning, Darryl knew me right away and I was so relieved!” she said.

“The nurses took great care of me,” said Darryl. “The second night after the procedure I remember I woke up and was bored, and they helped me learn to talk again in about five minutes in the middle of the night!”

New Appreciation for Life

Between visits from his family, friends, members of the wrestling team, and coaching colleagues, Darryl found the energy to make good progress. “I managed to pass all of the tests they gave me like swallowing and regulating my breathing,” said Darryl. Less than four days later, “I was discharged from the hospital and that Wednesday I went to watch a wrestling match,” he said. “Although this time I was a spectator.”

Dr. Guidera shares that along with the clinical team, “we take great satisfaction in being able to help our patients and families to get back to the lives they want to lead. We were very thankful for the remarkably good outcome that Darryl experienced. It is always a privilege to help someone who has given so much to this community,” he said.

Four years later, Marianne and Darryl continue to embrace every day doing the things they love–spending time with their family and beloved grandchildren and even traveling abroad. Reflecting on what transpired, “I am so grateful that the coaches knew the signs of stroke,” said Marianne. “By acting so swiftly, they helped save Darryl’s life. Know the signs of stroke. If you or someone you know are showing symptoms, don’t delay getting help,” she said.

Recognizing signs of Stroke

Recognizing the signs of a stroke could help save your loved ones life. You can remember stroke signs through the acronym, BEFAST.

• Balance – loss of balance, headache or dizziness
• Eyes – blurred vision
• Face – one side of the face is drooping
• Arms – arm or leg weakness
• Speech – difficulty speaking
• Time – call 9-1-1

Contributing Caregiver

Steven Guidera, MD is a board certified interventional cardiologist with Doylestown Health. Dr. Guidera performs a wide-range of procedures to treat coronary, carotid, peripheral arterial and cardiac valve disease.