Soap star Kirsten Storms has offered a major health update after stepping back from her General Hospital role.
“I’ve received a lot of social media support on this subject, so I want to give an update on my medical situation. My last appointment was with a new Neurosurgeon in St Louis. He told me that I am in the ‘gray zone’ for the aneurysm procedure,” Storms, 41, shared in an Instagram post on Monday, December 22. “It’s not super small, but it’s not at the mandatory surgery size. Basically, I can keep monitoring it — or have the coiling done, BUT he told me I wasn’t in immediate/’OMG! it’s going to burst tomorrow!’ kind of danger. Obvi, great news.”
The actress said she’s “trying to see if I’m comfortable” with waiting to have surgery.
“I do know that I am not eager to hop right on the operating table. (Plz refer to my post in 2021, following my craniotomy. The pic of the back of my head will *possibly* convey why this topic is a little difficult for me to openly discuss. And of course there was that surgery back in Jan this year),” she continued. “So, as I sit in this ‘gray zone,’ pondering my plan, I want you guys to know that I really do appreciate the messages and stories offered of your own experiences.”
Storms continued, “I needed those … and I had no idea (weird how that works, right?). Super easy to be silly and have fun on these platforms, but getting deep about online rumors and my feelings about them? Hah … I’d rather switch to decaf coffee. (My psychologist would tell me that’s a clear example of ‘avoidance.’) Welp I’m out of jokes, so I’m gonna say HAPPY HOLIDAYS and maaaaybe you will be seeing me back in Port Charles soon.”
Storms announced in July that she would be taking a break from her role as Maxie Jones on General Hospital to move from Los Angeles to Nashville with her 11-year-old daughter, Harper. (Storms shares Harper with ex-husband Brandon Barash.)
However, when she still hadn’t returned to the show by October, rumors about her future on the long-running ABC soap started swirling. Storms took to Instagram at the time and further explained her extended absence.
Kirsten Storms’ History as Maxie on ‘General Hospital’ Explained
Storms told fans she had a “new scan” of her brain in January, which revealed an aneurysm. She underwent a procedure soon after.
“A few days after I was discharged from the hospital, someone created a blog post that said I was in the hospital that weekend because I tried to ‘unalive’ myself,” her October caption continued. “I couldn’t understand why a person would make up something that terrible, when they had no idea why I was really there. There are a few really bad apples out there. We all know that … but there are people in my life who I am truly thankful to know.”
Storms has played her General Hospital character, Maxie, on and off since 2005. While Storms overcomes her health battle off camera, her onscreen counterpart is facing a similar situation. Maxie was sent to a long-term care facility in Boston after being poisoned during an episode that aired in August. This story line allowed Storms to take her extended leave.
“I really want to thank GH, the ABC network executives, the writers for agreeing to let me take this time,” Storms said in July. “I know [executive producer] Frank [Valentini] and the producers there know my reasons and I am so grateful that they understand and are supportive.”
