KIRSTEN STORMS REVEALS BRAIN ANEURYSM DIAGNOSIS AND UPCOMING SURGERY WITHIN TWO WEEKS
TL;DR: GH star Kirsten Storms revealed she was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm in January 2025 during a routine scan. The Maxie Jones actress shared on Instagram that she’s scheduling a coiling procedure within the next two weeks. Storms also addressed false rumors that circulated about her January hospitalization and explained that her move from Los Angeles to Nashville was primarily motivated by her health, her daughter Harper, and reducing stress in her life.
The Diagnosis
Storms, who has played Maxie Jones on General Hospital since 2005, shared a detailed health update on Instagram revealing that during a January 2025 scan, doctors found an aneurysm on the right side of her brain. The actress was understandably shocked by the news.
“I had symptoms that the doctors thought could’ve been brain related,” Storms explained in her post. Her neurosurgeon had been monitoring a cyst that he left on her brain when he removed one that was causing problems during her 2021 brain surgery. SEE HER FULL POST HERE.
Storms underwent a diagnostic procedure that same weekend in January where doctors threaded a camera from her leg up to her brain. “It’s a routine procedure, but the path inside your body that they lead the camera through is insane,” she wrote. “THE CAMERA GOES THROUGH YOUR ARMPIT, guys. Your. Armpit.”
She noted that the aneurysm was “nothing bad, just not typical,” but said she didn’t have the coiling treatment that weekend. Now, her coiling procedure is being scheduled “for sometime in the next two weeks.”
The Move to Nashville
Storms revealed that this health issue was a major factor behind her move from Los Angeles to Nashville earlier this year. “Aneurysms can (obviously) be caused by stress,” she explained. “Brain cysts? I believe that is possible too…and 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 actress made it clear that while her daughter Harper was the biggest reason for the move, her physical and mental health were also major factors. “For my own personal reasons, no longer living in Los Angeles was very important to me,” Storms shared. “The biggest reason for the move was Harper, but a lot of it was for my physical and mental health. And my overall happiness.”
Addressing False Rumors
Storms also took the opportunity to address hurtful rumors that circulated after her January hospitalization. “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,” the actress wrote. “I couldn’t understand why a person would makeup something that terrible, when they had no idea why I was really there.”
She acknowledged that “there are a few really bad apples out there,” but emphasized that she’s “truly thankful” for the people in her life who have supported her through this difficult time.
Support From Emme Rylan
Storms specifically thanked her best friend and former GH co-star Emme Rylan (ex-Lulu Spencer), who has been by her side throughout this ordeal. The two actresses are now creating a line of crocheted sweaters together through their new business, Kirsten and Emme.
“One of those individuals just made a sh*t load of sweaters with me. They are glorious,” Storms wrote, tagging Rylanand adding the hashtags #CrochetingIsGoodForTheBrain and #KickinIt.
Rylan was also with Storms during her 2021 brain surgery when doctors removed noncancerous cysts from her brain. Their friendship has remained a constant source of strength through both medical journeys.
Her 2021 Brain Surgery
This isn’t Storms‘ first brain surgery. In 2021, the actress underwent a craniotomy to remove “a very large cyst that had split into two.” She’s been transparent with fans throughout her health journey, sharing updates and receiving overwhelming support from the GH community.
Looking Forward
Storms used her Instagram post to remind fans that everyone faces difficult times. “Even though my brain seems to be sorta lowkey rebelling against me, it does allow me to understand that 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.”
As she prepares for her upcoming coiling procedure, the beloved GH star is focusing on family, friendship, and finding calm in creativity. Her resilience and transparency continue to inspire fans who have followed her journey both on and off screen.
From all of us at Soap Opera Magazine, we’re sending Kirsten Storms love, strength, and healing as she undergoes this procedure. We’re grateful she’s prioritizing her health and happiness, and we look forward to seeing Maxie back in Port Charles when the time is right.
