Stroke survivor's new mission: Helping others

For many years, Prince Simmons worked for pest control companies, eventually starting his own business while honing his public speaking skills with Toastmasters and supporting young men from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In January 2024, however, the Lakewood man experienced a searing headache and was taken by paramedics to UCI Health — Los Alamitos, where he was admitted for a brain bleed.

It took him a month to recover from a life-threatening COVID-19 infection, two aneurysms and a hemorrhagic stroke caused by abnormal blood vessel connections in his brain.

After surgery and supportive treatment, Simmons, now 60, went home a changed man, feeling a profound need to help other people struggling with health problems. Here, he shares his transformative healthcare journey.

From headaches to emergency

In December 2023, I began having headaches. I made a doctor’s appointment, but before I could get in to see him, I woke up at about 2 a.m. on Jan. 8, feeling like someone hit me in the head with a sledgehammer.

I told my wife to call paramedics. I didn’t think I was going to make it.

Testing showed I had COVID-19 and pneumonia, two aneurysms and an atrial venous malformation (AVM) in my brain that had caused a hemorrhagic stroke.

The doctors put a coil into my brain in a minimally invasive procedure to stop the brain bleed, but I still had the AVM and aneurysms.

I improved from the pneumonia, but then my blood pressure began to peak and my kidneys were functioning at only 40%.

Eventually, I was stabilized enough by Jan. 17 to have surgery to fix the AVM and aneurysms.

A challenging recovery

This was a tough journey. I felt weak. I couldn’t see due to the strokes. I couldn’t do my physical therapy. I wondered if I would ever be functional and normal again.

I give thanks to the nurses and my wife for being ever-present. The nurses were right there at all times, making sure I was OK. They were absolutely amazing!

During my recovery, I shared a room with a man who was very ill and anxious.

I told him, ‘It’s OK; we’re here,’ and he began to calm down. I asked him, ’How are you doing? What’s your name?’ He asked me to pray for him, so I did.

Discovering a new direction

One day, I thought to myself, ‘Is this a new direction for me to go?’ — because I enjoyed helping him. I said, ‘Lord, is this a new path you want me to go on? If so, how do I get started?’

When I was finally discharged on Feb. 3, I couldn’t go back to my old job. But I wondered if there was something I could do to help people like me who were getting out of the hospital. I just felt overcome with this passion to help people.

I got certified to open a home health agency. I do volunteer spiritual care work at two hospitals and I’m honored to serve on the UCI Health — Los Alamitos Patient Experience Council.

Physically, I’m 98% recovered. I don’t ever want to go through that pain again, but I would not trade my experience for anything. I have this peace now."

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