When a routine morning turned into a medical emergency on May 6, Waukee resident Drew Strube, 48, experienced double vision, dizziness and trouble after a sleep study. He was rushed to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, where doctors discovered a blockage in his basilar artery, a major vessel that supplies blood to the brain.

Emergency procedure saves life

Interventional radiologist Dr. Alan McDaniel performed an emergency thrombectomy, threading a catheter through Strube’s groin artery to remove the clot. Within hours, Strube reported feeling physically and neurologically normal, noting he was back to his baseline by about 8:30 a.m. that same morning.

“I had no family history of any heart disease, vascular disease or anything like that; it was a complete out‑of‑left‑field thing,” Strube said. “I had no expectation for and don’t expect to have anything afterwards.”

Family grateful for swift care

Strube’s wife, Jaclyn, described the frightening moment when doctors identified the blockage that had temporarily paralyzed one side of his body. “Drew was incredibly fortunate to be in the hands of medical professionals at the onset of his stroke and taken to the hospital with a top stroke center,” she said.

Back to coaching and fitness

Following his remarkable recovery, Strube returned to his full‑time role as head coach of the Waukee Warriors football team. He says the experience deepened his appreciation for life and his commitment to fitness, encouraging others to recognize stroke symptoms and seek immediate medical attention.

Strube’s story underscores the importance of having advanced stroke care available locally. MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center is designated as a top stroke center, offering specialized treatments like thrombectomy that can dramatically improve outcomes when administered quickly.

Recognizing stroke signs

Medical experts stress that early recognition of stroke symptoms—often summarized by the acronym FAST (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911)—can be lifesaving. In Strube’s case, rapid response and the availability of a skilled interventional radiology team were critical to his full recovery.

Residents of Waukee and the surrounding Des Moines area are encouraged to familiarize themselves with stroke warning signs and to trust local hospitals equipped to handle such emergencies.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.