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‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms Reveals Health Update, Scheduled to Undergo Brain Surgery

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: EmmeandKirsten IG Kickin It Sweater line

Kirsten Storms (Maxie, General Hospital) has opened up further about her decision to leave Los Angeles and take a break from General Hospital to head to Nashville to be with her daughter, Harper Rose Barash.

In a series of postings on her Instagram with best friend, Emme Rylan (ex-Lulu, GH), they announced they have started their own crocheting business, Kristen and Emme, where they sell crocheted sweaters that they’ve designed together. The first is a line called “Kickin It.”

In the various posts modeling their new sweater line, came a moment where Kirsten gave major praise to Emme being by her side, during additional news on her current health status. Storms revealed that she is set to undergo brain surgery in the coming weeks. As fans know, back in 2021, Storms underwent a craniotomy to drain and remove noncancerous cysts on her brain.

Photo: JPI

Explaining the enormity and the entirety of her decision for her break from GH and the move across the country, Storms wrote, “In January (2025), I had a new scan done of my brain. After my surgery in 2021, my *amazing* neurosurgeon (who ‘humors’ the jokes I make during my appointments — which is okay because he’s very smart) has been monitoring the cyst that he left on my brain, when he removed one that was causing me problems. The January scan happened because I had symptoms that the doctors thought could’ve been brain-related. OK — when I say that I was shocked when the doctors told me they found an aneurysm on the right side of my brain… welp, I basically launched into a standup comedy routine.”

Photo: JPI

The beloved fan favorite continued, “I had a procedure done that weekend, where the doctor thread a camera from my leg up to my brain,”(It’s a routine procedure,  but the path inside your body that they lead the camera through is *insane*… THE CAMERA GOES THROUGH YOUR ARMPIT, guys. Your. Armpit.) Anyway, because of the *slightly* complex situation with the aneurysm (nothing bad, just not typical), it wasn’t coiled that weekend. I checked in with my super smart surgeon, completed my next few months at work, started my hiatus, and left California. Did you guys know that Emme was by my side every single day during my 2021 craniotomy and hospital recovery? I remember waking up in the ICU right after my procedure, and the first thing she said was ‘How are you?? DO YOU STILL LOVE YARN?’ My neurosurgeon did give a chuckle to that joke. Anyway, Neurology stuff makes me feel a bit of nervousness, so now—here I am with Emme, in St Louis. And we are crocheting the most beautiful sweaters, while my coiling procedure is being scheduled for sometime in the next 2 weeks.”

On GH, the character of Maxie wound up in a coma, and was sent to a longterm coma facility in Boston, after rubbing a tester of tainted face cream from Deception on an episode of Home and Heart. Maxie has no idea that man saying and who “seemingly” is her late husband, Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) is alive and well in Port Charles.

Photo: KristeandEmmeIG

As she continued her post, Kirsten added, “Emotional support, when going through times in life that cause worry, is crucial, Aneurysms (obviously) can be caused by stress. 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. For my own personal reasons, no longer living in Los Angeles was very important to me. The biggest reason for the move was Harper, but a lot of it was for my physical and mental health. And my overall happiness.”

Next, Kirsten introduced her followers to how crocheting can be beneficial for your state of mind: “Did you know (if you’re still reading this egregiously long post) that even though crocheting isn’t ‘technically’ a cognitive behavioral therapy exercise, it hits all of the requirements CBT exercises do? It’s meditative, your hands and brain are focusing on the same task, therefore it distracts you from feelings of stress or anxiety, and completing a project feels rewarding. This sweater collaboration with my best friend, who is as obsessed with yarn as I am and constantly shows me that she always has my back… it kinda feels like we were meant to do this.”

Photo: JPI

In the end, Kirsten explained that someone made up a blog post saying that she was in the hospital to end her life, which is further from the truth, and that she knows who her friends truly are:  “I wanted to post this because 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. Since I knew what an aneurysm was, the scan in January majorly freaked me out. 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. 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. One of those individuals just made a sh*t load of sweaters with me. They are glorious.”

It was back in Julythis year, that Storms took to her Instagram to explain her current hiatus from the role of Maxie, and how when she asked GH executive producer, Frank Valentini, back in March for the time off, and how he was nothing but supportive, sharing, “Now, when you approach a job like this, they can always be like, ‘Forget it. I will let you out of your contract if you’re going to leave the state.’ GH did not do that — which was kind of amazing because I also asked for some time off.”

What did you think of Kirsten being so open about her health crisis and plans for the surgery? The importance of her friendship with Emme Rylan? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Sending prayers for Kirsten’s full and speedy recovery and rapid return to GH.

Heal soon, rest. But please come back to GH when you can. Miss that pretty face.

I think it’s fantastic, my best friend has cancer, she had radiation for 6weeks, I was by her side through it all, I know how much she appreciated me being there, you definitely need friends going through this battle ❤️❤️❤️I hope she will be back on General Hospital soon, I definitely miss her❤️

Praying for complete healing! God is so good just rely on him. Hee will guide your doctors hands.

Prayers for u hon be well and take care of U ! U are missed in GH

Omgosh I hope she is ok

Kirsten, sounds like you’re doing everything right. You’re follow up on your medical issues and taking care of yourself and your daughter. I hope you heal quickly from your next surgical procedure. We need you back on GH so you could come out of your coma. All the best wishes for good health and happiness!

With all she’s going through, it was quite thoughtful of Kirsten to take time to update fans about her situation.

Here’s hoping she has a speedy recovery from the procedure, is healthy, and ready to return to GH in the not-too-distant future.

I want Emme Rylan back as Lulu. Emme is one of the actors I switched to GH to watch. I know that kind of friendship is rare and extremely important to your health and wellbeing. As is faith in Jesus. I will be praying for you

I have always like her on GH . I will be praying for her . Life is hard . And I fully understand how it can rob your living it . I am prove how it can still who we are inside . But she is a fighter as I am.

I think she is an amazing actress and a very brave woman and her health is more important than the her Job she should be with family and friends and I think she found a true friend in Emme Rylan wishing you the best and keeping you in my prayers

Oh my. She seems like such a sweet person. As does Emme. And how positive and uplifting they are throughout this. What a special friendship. Learning about their crochet business collaboration makes me smile. Keeping Kirsten in my prayers for a successful surgery and recovery. Prayers for all of her loved ones too as they go through this with her. Looking forward to the return of our beloved Maxie back on our screens soon. What a quirky, delightful, witty character Maxie is. Kirsten is a gem.

Prayers for a speedy recovery. I think that general hospital needs to do a temporary recast of Maxie. Shows do that all the time for people who have babies or have surgery and Maxie is really needed now with the Nathan story.

There’s no payoff for a “reunion” with a temporary recast Maxie and someone who may (or may not) be impersonating Nathan. GH realized this and wrote the Maxie in a coma storyline to accommodate Kirsten’s request.

I think it’s good they didn’t do a temporary recast. I mean, it’s good for Kirsten to know her employer will wait for her. She can focus on her health and not have to worry or wonder if a temporary recast might become a permanent replacement. Good on Frank for accommodating her.

If she’s still under contract a temp recast would not affect job security. Maxie is most definitely needed. I hope Frank keeps to his word.

Prayer said for Kirsten, for a fast and full recovery.
Wishing the sweet duo a Big success in the sweater business.

Good Luck Kristen and a Speedy Recovery

I wish her well. I heard she had health issues/crisis before and she has to take care of it. She has a child. Family and health have to come first. To her, thank you Kirsten for sharing. Best friends are crucial and others at your job should have your back. Take care of you. It has to be up to you to chose your life decisions-not us fans. I will pray you come through all of your challenges. I really will. Thank you for your talents and your updates. Take care of yourself.

First, she doesn’t have to tell us anything. Her personal life is hers. As someone who has had brain surgery, it is scary and it takes time to recover from it. I wish her all the best. She is missed but she needs to take care of herself and her family first. If she reads these, I wish her all the best and cant wait until she is back on GH but no rush. Do what you need. Fans will be waiting and true fans will not abandon her. As for the person who said nasty things, I will pray for that person even though they seem like a lost cause.

Thank you for being so upfront about your health. As a fan of you and GH, I appreciate your honesty. I will put you in my prayers for strength to get through this. You already have the courage and wonderful family and friends to get you through. Hang in there, you’re doing great. ♥️♥️

I’m sending can’t wait for you to come back

Sending lots of prayers, it has to be scary for you and your family. See you when you get better Girl. You really are missed

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase Gets to The Bottom of Brook Lynn’s Lies; But is Jordan Truly the Person Responsible for Her Own Car Crash?

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The marriage of Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) just took a nosedive on the Friday, September 4 episode of General Hospital, while Trina (Tabyana Ali) got an earful,  Anna (Finola Hughes) lured Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) into a trap in the middle of nowhere, and oh, yes! Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi) and Rocco (Finn Carr) shared their first kiss.

Here’s the takeaways from Cliffhanger Friday.  First, as the Quartermaines host a Labor Day weekend party, Chase’s suspicions about Brook Lynn being the other driver in Jordan’s (Tanisha Harper) car accident grew while cutting limes with Emma (Braedyn Bruner) in the kitchen. There, Emma mentioned that Brook actually arrived late to Charlie’s Pub and missed the first song of the night during Trina and Gio’s (Giovanni Mazza) performance.

Now loaded for bear, Chase sees Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) in the Quartermaine foray, and asks to speak with her in the kitchen, privately. Having put two and two together (for once! Chase can’t seem to do that where Willow’s concerned) he tells Lucy, he knows she lied in her statement to the police pointing the finger at Willow for the car accident and demanded the truth!

Courtesy/ABC

ROUTE 91

Meanwhile, Jordan is also present at the party, and Tracy (Jane Elliot) and Michael (Rory Gibson) tell her that they want her to keep a close eye on Drew (Cameron Mathison) while working at Aurora Media. Inside the living room, Lucy is making a hasty exit from the party after spilling the beans to Chase. Next, a pissed off Chase pulls Brook Lynn into the kitchen.

Then, he tells his wife his theory of what happened the night Jordan got in a car crash. Chase says Brook Lynn’s car was on Route 91 at the same time of Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Jordan’s car crash. However, Chase thinks she is covering for someone in the family. Brook Lynn promises to talk to him more about this later when they are alone, but it’s too late. Outside on the terrace, Trina heard the whole thing!

Now in the living room, and getting ready to hear Gio and Trina do a performance from their set at the club earlier in the week, Chase and Brook Lynn look upset. Trina comes into the room looking very angry and demands to know the truth from Brook Lynn! She wants to know if she was the driver of the other car who left her dad and Jordan at the side of the road.

Courtesy/ABC

ARE WE OUT OF THE WOODS?

Meanwhile, Anna who is off her rocker, has lured Britt (who stupidly went to meet her) out in the middle of the woods. Jason (Steve Burton) got wind of where Britt is, when Sonny (Maurice Benard) informed he sold some land to Anna. Jason is trying to get a hold of Britt fearing she is walking into a trap, but she is not answering her phone.

When Britt finally catches up with Anna, she asks her why did they have to meet in the middle of the boondocks? Suddenly, Anna pulls out a gun and replies, “So no one can hear you scream.” We fade to black.

Now below, check out the scene between Chase and Lucy where he demands she amends her statement to the police as Brook Lynn becomes the chief suspect in running Jordan and Curtis off the road causing their car crash.

Weigh-in: When all is said and done, isn’t Jordan the person who is responsible for her own crash, by taking her eyes off the road to kiss her ex-husband, Curtis Ashford? Do you think Brook Lynn’s cover-up will send Chase running in the direction of Willow and the two will hit the sheets? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

 

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary

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Anthony Geary

This Labor Day, General Hospital will show an encore presentation of its touching tribute to the late Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer). The news came from ABC executive, Nathan Varni who shared the information across social media.

Varni expressed, “Save the date! ABC will encore our very special farewell tribute to Tony Geary this Labor Day, Monday, September 7.”

The episode was originally broadcast on February 20, 2026, and honored to the late eight-time Daytime Emmy winner, who sadly passed away on December 14, 2025 at the age of 78.

Photo: ABC

The tribute episode centered on Luke’s daughter Lulu (Alexa Havins) finally grieving the loss of her father after she had come out of a four-year long coma and never dealt with her grief on learning the news of his death.

WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE ON-SCREEN REMEMBRANCE OF LUKE SPENCER?

The other characters who remember their time with Luke who are included in the episode with many flashbacks were: Tracy (Jane Elliot), Sonny (Maurice Benard), Carly (Laura Wright), Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and of course, Laura (Genie Francis).

Behind the scenes, General Hospital wanted to pay tribute to its most iconic star, but since the character of Luke was killed-off in 2022 off-screen, after Geary retired, there wasn’t an easy creative route to go when Geary passed away in real-life. However, the writers did a commendable job with this special episode in tying in memories and remembrances of Luke through Lulu’s grief as a starting point.

Photo: ABC

THE LAST APPEARANCE OF TONY GEARY ON GENERAL HOSPITAL

Anthony Geary exited General Hospital in 2015 after his record-setting eight Daytime Emmy Lead Actor wins for his work. He then moved to Amsterdam full-time to live with his husband, Claudio Gama.

Two years later, Geary made one final appearance on GH, when in 2017 he popped in the last scene of what was Jane Elliot’s then departure from the show when Tracy was reunited with Luke in Europe.

You can check out the original promo for the special episode “Remembering Luke Spencer” and the late Tony Geary from back in February of this year below.

Now let us know, will you be watching the Anthony Geary tribute again this coming Monday? Do you miss seeing the character of Luke Spencer in Port Charles? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Alimi Ballard’s Role Revealed as WSB Agent William Baines Who Oversees Jack Brennan Investigation

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Alimi Ballard

The Thursday, September 3 episode of General Hospital featured the debut of former Loving and The City actor, Alimi Ballard (ex-Frankie Hubbard).

Now some 30 years later, Ballard is back on ABC daytime, but this time as was revealed today, he is playing WSB agent William Baines who arrives in Port Charles to oversee the disappearance of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).

Here’s what went down; after Josslyn (Eden McCoy) reported Brennan missing to the WSB, agent William Baines met her at the Port Charles bureau office. It was there that Baines informed Josslyn he was taking over the search for Jack.

Josslyn kept trying to stay on the case telling Baines she had connections with many people in Jack’s inner circle in Port Charles. However, Baines instructed her to keep on her current assignment as CEO of JJE. When she questioned why implanting her at her father’s company was so important, Baines shared she needs to get inside intel on JJE’s subsidiary holdings. Once she does, she will be briefed on what comes next.

DREW FRAMES NINA

In addition, Baines wanted to be briefed on what Josslyn knows so far about the MIA Brennan. One theory from the WSB is that Jack skipped town because of how badly the Cold Fusion debacle went down on Spoon Island.  Then, as Josslyn brought up how her mother Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) witnessed a public shouting match between Jack and Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros), Baines pulls out a photo of Nina from his folder.

As if things couldn’t get worse for Nina, Drew (Cameron Mathison) broke into her car, planted evidence of Jack’s wallet under the seat as retribution for her trying to kill Drew when she pushed him in his wheelchair into the lake at the boathouse. Drew snarled that “payback is bitch” as he sat in the driver’s seat of her car.

So, what are your initial thoughts on the arrival of WSB agent William Baines? Do you think he may wind up as Jack’s successor as the WSB Port Charles bureau chief ? What did you think of Drew framing Nina for Jack’s death? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first, check out the confrontation between Drew and Nina with Ava present.

 

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