Photo Credit: Getty Images
General Hospital actress Kirsten Storms has revealed she will undergo brain surgery after doctors discovered an aneurysm on the right side of her brain during a routine scan earlier this year. The 41-year-old star, known for playing Maxie Jones on the long-running ABC soap, shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post on October 13, detailing her recent health struggles and decision to step away from Los Angeles.
Storms explained that during a follow-up scan for a cyst that was partially removed from her brain in 2021, her neurosurgeon found the aneurysm. "My brain seems to be sorta lowkey rebelling against me," she wrote, adding that the discovery "majorly freaked me out." Earlier this year, she underwent a procedure "where the doctor [threaded] a camera from my leg up to my brain." Though the process was routine, she joked, "The camera goes through your armpit, guys. Your. Armpit."
Due to what she described as a "slightly complex situation with the aneurysm," the coiling procedure was postponed. "Neurology stuff makes me feel a bit of nervousness," she admitted, sharing that the surgery is now scheduled to take place "sometime in the next two weeks."
The actress revealed that her diagnosis contributed to her recent decision to move from Los Angeles to Nashville with her 11-year-old daughter, Harper. "Aneurysms (obviously) can be caused by stress," she noted. "Since the January scan showed a new, but very small, squatter (aka cyst) on my brain stem—it was clear I needed to change some things in my life asap. The biggest reason for the move was Harper, but a lot of it was for my physical and mental health. And my overall happiness."
Throughout her recovery, Storms has leaned on her longtime friend and former General Hospital co-star, Emme Rylan. The pair, who share a love of crocheting, have since launched a small business selling handmade sweaters.
Despite the challenges, Storms remains optimistic. "Even though my brain seems to be sorta lowkey rebelling against me," she wrote, "we've all got times when things aren't great. If we can, we will do our best to do what is best for ourselves and loved ones."
