A Father’s Journey from Stroke to Son’s Wedding

Calimlim immediately called a stroke code and Perley was rushed for imaging. 

The results confirmed an ischemic stroke, which is caused by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain. Further evaluation revealed that the stroke was caused by Perley’s pre-existing conditions unrelated to the care he was receiving in the hospital. 

David Santiago-Dieppa, MD, vascular neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, performed a mechanical thrombectomy on Perley. This emergency and minimally invasive procedure involves specialized instruments to remove a clot from the brain to restore blood flow following an ischemic stroke.

“Rapid intervention is crucial in stroke cases as every second counts,” said Santiago-Dieppa, assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at University of California San Diego School of Medicine. “By quickly identifying the stroke and performing the clot removal, we significantly reduced the potential long-term impacts on Mr. Perley’s health.”

UC San Diego Health is the only health system in the county with two sites for comprehensive stroke care at both Hillcrest Medical Center and Jacobs Medical Center in La Jolla. The Comprehensive Stroke Center at Hillcrest Medical Center was the first of five in the nation. Both centers are led by a multidisciplinary team of stroke experts, including neurologists, neuro-intensivists, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, nurses and rehabilitation therapists.

With stroke specialists available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week to provide an immediate response, UC San Diego Health experts use advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to provide personalized therapy for each patient, leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer hospital re-admissions.

“Our Comprehensive Stroke Center at UC San Diego Health is uniquely equipped to receive and treat the most challenging stroke cases,” Santiago-Dieppa said. “With a specialized neuro-intensive care unit dedicated to stroke patients, we excel in performing advanced neurovascular procedures, such as the surgery that saved Mr. Perley.”

Every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke and every four minutes someone dies from stroke, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Recently, UC San Diego Health was again recognized by the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award and is listed on their Target: Stroke Elite Plus Honor Roll and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll for providing the highest quality of care to patients using research-based guidelines in the treatment of heart disease and stroke.

Perley made a remarkable recovery following his successful neurosurgery and quickly regained his strength. Within a few days, his care team evaluated his progress from both his stroke and heart condition and determined he was ready to be discharged from the hospital, just in time for his son's wedding that evening.

“The UC San Diego Health staff did a magnificent job and went above and beyond to ensure I could attend the wedding,” Perley said. “They made certain that I was healthy and confident to be present for such a special day with my family.”

Perley left the hospital in style. Picked up in a stretch limousine surrounded by his family and colleagues, he was wheeled out of the hospital in a grand exit.

The wedding, which happened to take place approximately ten minutes from the hospital system that saved his life, was a significant milestone for Perley. At the reception, he delivered an emotional speech filled with gratitude and joy. He credits the quick action of the nurse and the entire medical team who made all the difference in his care.

“Their efforts turned what could have been a cloud over the event into a sunny and memorable celebration,” Perley said.

His recovery has continued to progress well after the wedding festivities and beyond the neurosurgery.

Perley began therapy at the Step Family Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Center at UC San Diego Health as part of his ongoing heart care. Gradually increasing his daily walking distance, he began to see improvements in his heart health.

Perley’s advice to others facing similar health challenges is simple but powerful: "Surround yourself with the best medical team and maintain a positive attitude." Perley stresses the importance of mental and physical support during recovery.

“His journey from experiencing a severe stroke to giving a speech at his son's wedding days later is extraordinary,” Santiago-Dieppa said. “His story highlights the power of swift medical intervention, a supportive, compassionate environment and the resilience of a father’s fight to be there for his family. As Mr. Perley continues his recovery, his story serves as an inspiration, showing that with determination and dedicated, high-quality care, remarkable recoveries are possible.”

According to the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” survey, UC San Diego Health ranked No. 1 in San Diego and received “Honor Roll” designation, a distinction awarded only to 20 hospitals in the national for exceptional care. Neurology and neurosurgery care ranked 22nd and heart and vascular ranked 27th out of more than 4,500 hospitals nationwide.