Young people often face difficulties in expressing their health concerns to doctors, leading to delayed diagnoses.
Chandler Plante, 23, has struggled with various health issues since 2021. Previously, she considered herself a “normal 21-year-old” until her health took a drastic turn.
After a mild COVID-19 case in December 2020, Plante began experiencing numbness in her hands and forearms three months later. Despite visiting the emergency room, doctors attributed her symptoms to “anxiety” and sent her home.
However, a brain scan on June 28 revealed that her symptoms were actually severe ischemic strokes, with inflammation causing dangerous artery narrowing.
She underwent stent placements to widen her brain arteries and was treated with steroids and aspirin, which initially helped.
Yet, by November 2021, her stents migrated, causing permanent blindness in her right eye. Despite numerous tests and surgeries, including a craniotomy and lumbar puncture, her condition worsened, with treatments exacerbating her symptoms.
In April 2023, Plante experienced a breakthrough with rituximab, a chemotherapy drug that improved her condition. She now uses her TikTok platform to share her journey of resilience and positivity, inspiring others with her story.
Her experience highlights the importance of self-advocacy and maintaining optimism in the face of adversity.
