Photo Credit: HCA Houston Healthcare North CypressHealth
A Stroke at 25 — Spencer’s Journey to Recovery
Spencer Gosmano was the picture of health—an athletic 25-year-old CPA with no prior medical issues. However, everything changed when he experienced a sudden, intense headache that he initially dismissed.
“I thought it was just a caffeine headache or maybe a bad migraine,” Spencer recalls. “I tried to push through it.”
When the headache escalated to unbearable levels, Spencer sought medical attention at the emergency department at HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress. In a matter of minutes, he received a life-altering diagnosis: Spencer had suffered a stroke.
“It all happened so fast. One moment I was walking in, and the next I was hearing the word ‘stroke.’ At 25, that’s the last thing you expect to hear,” Spencer said.
The following day, Spencer underwent an angiogram and lumbar puncture, which revealed an aneurysm located behind his right eye. He spent the next week in the hospital under the careful watch of Dr. Sushrut Dharmadhikari and his multidisciplinary team.
Dr. Dharmadhikari, a neuroendovascular surgeon at HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress, emphasized the importance of swift action in such cases. “Spencer’s story highlights the importance of early recognition of bleeding from brain aneurysms and stroke. In his case, he said he experienced ‘the worst headache of my life’, explained Dr. Dharmadhikari. “Brain aneurysms are treatable, but they need to be diagnosed first. Educate yourself and your loved ones about symptoms of stroke as well as brain aneurysms and the importance of calling 911 if you experience any of these symptoms.”
It is imperative to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke to ensure immediate medical attention and minimize long-term damage. An effective way to remember the key symptoms is through the acronym BE FAST: Balance, Eyes, Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call emergency services. Timely recognition and action can significantly enhance stroke outcomes.
HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress is a Primary Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission and recognized as a Level III Stroke Center by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The facility has also been recognized with the Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Stroke Care Award™ in 2025, reflecting the superior clinical outcomes in the care and treatment of stroke.
Spencer’s mother expressed her gratitude for the exceptional care her son received. “There were so many things that could have gone wrong—but so many things went right,” she said. “The team acted quickly and treated Spencer like their own family. We’re incredibly thankful.”
Determined not to let this experience define him, Spencer was back to normal activities just two weeks after his discharge. He recently completed a half marathon, an achievement he once thought might never be possible again.
“This experience gave me a renewed perspective,” Spencer reflects. “You start to see life differently when something like this happens. I’m grateful every day—not just to be alive, but to be living fully.”
Source: HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress
