Ashley Varnado was used to balancing a thriving career, a busy home life and the stress that came with both. But when she woke up one night, unable to feel her right arm, everything changed.
A High-Performer Who Was Always “Pushing Through”
As a longtime finance executive, wife and mom of two young boys, 38-year-old Ashley Varnado was no stranger to stress. She excelled at juggling demanding deadlines, frequent travel days and a nonstop family schedule, often brushing off signs that her body needed to rest.
For months, she experienced headaches, waves of dizziness, and bouts of exhaustion. “It was easy to ignore,” she said. “I assumed that’s just what happens when you’re always on the go.”
But this fall, she woke up in the middle of the night to something she couldn’t dismiss.
Her right arm was numb and tingling. Within minutes, the sensation spread, moving down her leg, up her torso, and into her neck. Alarmed and scared, she called out to her husband who took her straight to the Atrium Health Providence Emergency Department, located just across the street from their home.
The moment she arrived, she felt something unexpected: comfort. “It felt like a big hug when I walked into that ER,” Ashley said, “I was seen and heard by the medical team there.”
A Turning Point, and a Moment of Denial
A CT scan didn’t show immediate signs of stroke, but ED clinicians strongly urged Ashley to stay for an MRI. Despite the seriousness of her symptoms, she felt the pull of her everyday responsibilities.
“I had to get home and get kids ready for school, I had a full day of meetings. I felt a little better and thought I’d be fine,” said Ashley. Believing she could manage, she signed out against medical advice and returned home.
But her symptoms didn’t fully resolve, and a few hours later, the numbness surged again.
This time, she didn’t hesitate. She went back to the Atrium Health Pineville Emergency Department, where she was immediately evaluated, admitted, and monitored.
Though her MRI didn’t show clear stroke-related damage, her clinical exam told another story: Ashley had likely experienced a series of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), often called mini-strokes.
Her care team also noted a major contributing factor: stress.
A Neurologist’s Guidance, and a New Way Forward
Ashley is now under the care of Dr. Navid Jalali, a neurologist at Atrium Health. She is continuing testing and treatment, including physical therapy and medication management. She’s also doing something she once considered impossible: slowing down.
“I’m pausing for a radical sabbatical to focus on the people and things that matter most to me, my family,” Ashley said.
“This was my wake-up call,” she added. “I had a young friend who died from a stroke, which could have easily happened to me.”
Recognizing the Signs
To help others understand what she experienced, Ashley’s neurologist emphasizes how important it is to recognize early symptoms.
“TIAs can be easy to overlook because symptoms may come and go,” said Dr. Navid Jalali, neurologist at Atrium Health. “But sudden numbness, weakness, dizziness or changes in speech are never something to ignore. They’re the body’s warning that something more serious could happen, and immediate care can make all the difference.”
Dr. Jalali always reminds his patient about The BE FAST acronym, which helps identify stroke symptoms quickly:
B – Balance: Sudden dizziness or loss of balance
E – Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing
F – Face: Drooping on one side
A – Arms: Arm weakness or numbness
S – Speech: Slurred speech or confusion
T – Time: Call 911 immediately
A Message of Hope, and a Full Future Ahead
These days, Ashley is focused on rest, recovery, and reimagining a life where health comes first. She’s deeply thankful for the Atrium Health teams who listened to her, acted quickly and guided her to the care she needed, even when she tried to push through on her own.
“Women leaders, especially mothers, carry so much,” she said. “I used to ignore what my body was telling me because I was young and balancing an overwhelming list of priorities at work, in my community and at home. Choosing to prioritize my health is giving me a second chance at life.”
Ashley is sharing her experience in hopes that others will notice their symptoms earlier and feel empowered to seek care without delay.
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