All Things Brain Health: The Parking Garage Stroke: A Miracle Craniectomy Recovery Story

"They literally did remove the skull on the top of my head... packaged it up, and sent it to West Virginia." Glenn Hopper’s life changed in an instant on April 23, 2025. He was pulling into the parking garage at The University of Kansas Health System, simply bringing dinner to his wife, Jo, who was recovering from a routine procedure. As he stepped out of his car, his left side went completely numb. Recognizing the signs, the 66-year-old former fighter pilot immediately called 911. What followed was a high-stakes neurological marathon. A CT scan revealed a massive intraparenchymal hematoma—a severe stroke caused by an aggressive bleed inside the brain. Ten days later, catastrophic brain swelling threatened his life. In a desperate bid to save him, neurosurgeons performed an emergency decompressive craniectomy, removing a massive portion of Glenn’s skull to give his expanding brain room to breathe. The bone flap was safely flown to a highly specialized cryopreservation facility in West Virginia while Glenn underwent grueling inpatient rehab in a protective helmet. But when paradoxical pressure drops caused further complications, a second emergency surgery was triggered, rushing his skull back across state lines to seal his head and equalize his brain pressure. Today, Glenn isn't just surviving—he’s hitting ski slopes, running 5Ks, and living completely unrestricted. Join Alexis del Cid, Chair of Neurosurgery Dr. Roukoz Chamoun, and our specialist care team as they break down the fascinating science of bone preservation, the "BE FAST" stroke warning signs, and an unforgettable recovery that defies medical statistics.