Hear My Journey: From Neuro ICU Nurse to Brain Aneurysm Survivor

Julie Knichel is used to caring for patients with brain injuries. As a neuro ICU nurse at Baptist Health South Florida, she works alongside Brian Snelling, M.D., a neurosurgeon who treats strokes and aneurysms. But recently, she became the patient.

Julie went to bed one night feeling perfectly normal. But at 3 a.m., she woke up with the worst headache of her life. Nausea and vomiting followed. Her medical instincts kicked in — this wasn’t just a migraine. She called 911. At the ER, a CT scan revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage, caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm — a life-threatening form of stroke.

By a stroke of luck, Snelling was still at the hospital finishing another emergency. When he saw Julie’s name, he stayed to treat her. He performed a minimally invasive coiling procedure, threading a catheter through her leg to place tiny platinum coils in the aneurysm to stop the bleeding.

Julie spent almost three weeks in the neuro ICU — this time as a patient. She took a medication designed to reduce the risk of complications after aneurysm rupture and leaned on her coworkers, who became her caregivers and support system. “It was really frightening,” she admits, “but I knew I was in the best hands.” Today, she’s back on the job, treating patients in the very same unit.

Snelling explains that brain aneurysms are surprisingly common — about 1 in 50 people have one — but most never know it until it ruptures. “The classic warning sign is a sudden, severe headache,” he says. “If that happens, it’s crucial to get emergency care immediately.”

Recovery after a brain aneurysm isn’t easy. Many patients face lasting deficits or life changes. Julie is among the fortunate few who made a full recovery. “It gave me a new perspective,” she says. “Now I can relate to patients and their families in a deeper way.”

Snelling notes that family history, smoking and high blood pressure are risk factors — but many cases, like Julie’s, happen without warning. His message is simple: “We treat every patient like family. Julie just happened to be one of ours.”

Julie’s experience shows the power of fast treatment, compassionate care and the human connection that runs deep in the ICU — whether you’re a nurse or a patient.

This transcript was edited for clarity.