‘I Think About the Things I Would’ve Missed’
It seems like everyone in Tallahassee knows Gary Hansen.
He is a familiar, warm presence, always ready with a kind word and smile, for the customers who come through his line at Publix.
Others know Gary, 74, because of his well-publicized and appreciated annual visits to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. Every January for the past seven years, Gary has shown up with a cake to reunite with the team in the Vogter Neuro & Trauma Intensive Care Unit.
A stroke survivor, he shares his story to encourage others. He’s spoken as part of webinars and panels for Stroke Awareness Month. And in January 2024, Gary was honored to run through Cascades Park as one of the torchbearers for the Capital City Senior Games, hosted by the Tallahassee Senior Center.
He won 11 medals.
Gary is walking, running, torch-bearing proof of the advanced care provided at the region’s only Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of hospitals in the country.
His abundant life is fueled by gratitude for the “bonus miles” he has received.
Recognizing Stroke
When Gary suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage on Jan. 12, 2017 – a life-threatening stroke caused by a ruptured aneurysm that bleeds into the space between the brain and skull, causing increased pressure and reduced oxygen flow to the brain – he could have not anticipated all the things life still had for him.
The night of his stroke, Gary was kept awake with the worst headache of his life. When he later became nauseous, his wife quickly called 9-1-1.
When a stroke happens, time is of the essence. Gary’s wife did the right thing. As soon as she recognized his symptoms, she picked up the phone and made every second count.
He was rushed to TMH, where he received emergency treatment for the bleeding in his brain.
As a Comprehensive Stroke Center, TMH offers rapid stroke assessment and the most advanced treatments available from expert physicians who are specially trained in their fields.
Gary spent the next eight days in the Vogter Neuro & Trauma ICU under the constant care of his nurses. Although he survived the hemorrhage, Gary was at high-risk for another life-threatening stroke.
“The doctor told me that 20 percent of people with this kind of hemorrhage do not survive, 60 percent survive but are paralyzed in some way, and 20 percent walk away like nothing ever happened,” Gary said. “I was, thankfully, in the last 20 percent.”
While at TMH, his family brought a sign with his favorite saying, “Blessed beyond measure,” to have on display and serve as a constant reminder that every day is a gift.
With the dedicated support from the team in the Neuro ICU and his family, Gary was discharged walking, talking and ready to enjoy life again.
Life After Stroke 
The connections Gary made at TMH with his compassionate doctors, nurses, physical therapists and speech therapists, stretched far beyond hospital walls.
When Gary was cleared to return to work, he valued every opportunity to recognize any TMH employee while at work. As a Regulatory Specialist for the State of Florida and a part-time cashier at Publix, he would often see a TMH nurse in scrubs go through his checkout line.
He always takes a moment to catch up with them and writes “Thank you!” on their receipts.
“I’m excited to go to work at both of my jobs,” Gary said. Most individuals Gary’s age are retired, but after his stroke, he’s been happy to work so he can see people, make new friends and hear everyone’s stories.
Even seven years later, Gary never misses an opportunity to visit the neuro team on the anniversary of his stroke. He greets them with a warm smile and cakes that read, “Thanks for saving my life!” and “Blessed beyond measure,” to express his gratitude for the care they provided for him and continue to provide for others each day.
Before his stroke, “Blessed beyond measure” used to be Gary’s motto for his eight grandchildren, and though it still applies to them, it is now also his motto for having a second chance at life.
Competing in the Senior Games
At the age of 74, Gary’s latest adventure included signing up for the Capital City Senior Games. He had heard of the event from his co-worker and was hesitant to sign up at first.
After thinking more about it though, he realized, “What’s the guarantee that I’ll feel as good next year?” In 2023, Gary competed in 11 events and walked away with 9 medals.
In the 2024 Senior Games, he was honored to participate in the annual torch run as one of the eight torchbearers. He competed in the 75 to 79-year-old age group for five consecutive days in 20 events and won 11 medals.
He earned gold medals in the 200-meter race, singles and doubles bowling games and doubles table tennis. He won five silver medals in his other track and field events – javelin, shot put, the 100-meter race, long jump and triple jump. Lastly, Gary won bronze in racquetball and mixed-doubles table tennis.
Gary hopes he can improve for next year’s games and is looking for ways to creatively incorporate his family in his practice. One idea he has is to schedule a bowling game with his grandchildren so he can spend time with them while improving his technique.
Since he’s had his stroke, Gary has been able to experience many life events: returning to Iowa for his 55th high school reunion, attending his first-ever family reunion in Pigeon Forge and welcoming his first grandson.
“I think about all the things I would’ve missed,” he said. “I consider myself blessed beyond measure and thank God every day for the bonus miles.”
For more information about the region’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center, visit TMH.ORG/Stroke.
