At just 29 years old, days after giving birth, Noelia Gutierrez was settling into life as a new mom when everything changed. What began as a sudden, unusual headache quickly escalated into seizures and paralysis on the right side of her body. Healthy, active, and full of joy, she never imagined she could be experiencing a postpartum stroke.

Confused and terrified, Noelia initially thought she was having an allergic reaction. Instead, she was facing a medical emergency that most people associate with older adults. Her world shifted from newborn bliss to uncertainty, fear, and the overwhelming reality that she could no longer care for herself or her baby.

Expert Stroke Care at Memorial Healthcare System

Noelia was rushed to Memorial Healthcare System, where Brijesh Mehta, MD, medical director of Adult & Pediatric NeuroInterventional Surgery, and medical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program at Memorial Neuroscience Institute, and the comprehensive stroke and neurosurgery teams acted quickly. From the ER to the cath lab, from nurses to therapists, she remembers one thing clearly.

Dr. Mehta and his team rapidly identified her stroke and intervened with precise stroke treatment. Their swift action, combined with three weeks of intensive inpatient stroke rehabilitation and continued outpatient therapy, helped Noelia relearn how to walk, eat, speak, and care for herself again.

Her progress was so profound that today, most people cannot tell she ever had a stroke.

“I’m a walking miracle,” she says.

Eight Years Later: A New Spine Emergency

Eight years after her stroke recovery, Noelia faced another frightening setback. One day, her right leg suddenly gave out, a sensation eerily similar to the early moments of her stroke. She was taken to Memorial Hospital Miramar, where imaging revealed a spinal emergency requiring immediate spine surgery. She was transferred to Memorial Hospital West to get an evaluation from the neurosurgery team.

By morning, she was asked to call her husband because she needed emergency surgery for cauda equina syndrome, a serious neurological condition that can cause permanent nerve damage at the base of the spine if not treated quickly. The team's calm and thorough explanations, as well as exceptional bedside manner, reassured her through the urgency.

Her surgery was successful, and once again, Noelia returned to rehabilitation and was determined, focused, and fully aware of the importance of following every instruction.

Rehabilitation, Support, and a Second Chance at Life

At Memorial Regional Hospital South, Noelia found the same compassionate environment she experienced years earlier. The nurses, therapists, and even environmental services staff offered encouragement that made her feel seen, supported, and hopeful.

Her recovery was strengthened by her family, neighbors, and community all stepping in to help with her daughter’s daily tasks and emotional support.

Today, she celebrates life with her youngest daughter, who shares her birthday—a powerful reminder of survival, resilience, and gratitude.

We've Got the Spine, Back, and Nerve to Care for You

Memorial Healthcare System delivers comprehensive, lifelong neuroscience care for adults at Memorial Neuroscience Institute, and children at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Patients with the most severe neurological and traumatic spinal injuries receive rapid, coordinated care at the Level 1 Trauma Center at Memorial Regional Hospital, while those with complex seizure disorders benefit from the nationally recognized Level IV Epilepsy Center and dedicated Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Memorial also operates two Comprehensive Stroke Centers, ensuring the highest level of stroke diagnosis, intervention, and recovery support. Together, these programs create a seamless, system‑wide network of world‑class neurosurgical care, rehabilitation, and compassionate support for every patient and family.