The Stroke and Neurovascular Center of Central California

On Dec. 7, 2013, I was up and feeling fine and doing my usual around the house chores. I was in my closet and bent down to pick up something, and my head exploded. I had immediate pain, worst headache of my life. Within a few mins., I started vomiting. My husband wanted to take me to the hospital immediately, but I kept saying no, that maybe this was a migraine (which I had never had in my 63 years). Several hours later, I finally went to the hospital in Ventura where they did a CT scan and discovered I had a brain aneurysm which had burst. I was given the choice of going to Cottage or USC. Even though I was out of it by then, I did manage to say Cottage. I was taken to Cottage by helicopter where I was met by Dr. Zauner. By then it was Saturday night. He did a coil embolism on me. I really didn’t wake up until that following Monday. I stayed in ICU for 10 days. The care I was given by Dr. Zauner and his staff, as well as the staff at Cottage, was exemplary.

They took the time to explain everything going on to my family. I also spent 2 nights on the step-down floor. The staff there were also amazing. I begged Dr. Zauner to release me from the hospital so I could be home in time to watch my grandson in his kindergarten performance, and he did. If it had to happen to me, I’m so glad I ended up as Dr. Zauner’s patient. He is my hero!

-Linda

Dr. Alois Zauner placed stents in my brain, carotid right and left at UM Jackson in 2006 just before he moved to CA, results could not be better. I’m still kicking. Love you Dr. Z, THANK YOU!

Angelica

Today is my three year ANEURversary!! Three years ago today, on the morning of my brother’s wedding day, I suffered from a brain aneurysm at 19 years old. I was sleeping next to my sister when she heard/felt me begin to have a seizure. My family called the ambulance and they took me to Arroyo Grande Hospital. They ran numerous tests to try and figure out what was wrong with me. They did a Lumbar puncture to check for Meningitis, and that is how they found out my brain was bleeding (because the fluid was pink/redish rather than clear). The doctors made the decision to send me to Cottage Hospital where Dr. Zauner specializes in this type of thing so I was rushed in an ambulance all the way from Arroyo Grande to Santa Barbara. Dr. Zauner and his team performed the coil embolization procedure on me. I vaguely remember anything about that entire day until I came to in the angiography suite. I remember how sweet everyone was and helpful in informing me of everything that happened and assuring me that I was okay. I was taken to a room in the ICU, where I stayed for a week or so. Dr. Zauner and all of the nurses were AMAZING to my family and I. He explained everything to us in a way that made sense and we knew what was going on. He came and checked on me a couple times a day to make sure I was okay. Through out my whole stay at the hospital and even when I went home, I was able to ask him anything and he would explain it to me or assure me that I was okay. I couldn’t have asked for a better Doctor. Dr. Zauner will never know how much appreciation and respect I have for him.

Laura