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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 Preview: Carly in Danger to Save Josslyn; Cody May Be Onto Cassius, and a Mysterious Arrival

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, one thing is for certain it will be explosive! In the just released ABC promo for the action in and out of Port Charles, the drama brings with it as previously announced Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver in a guest star turn!

Here’s what else to look forward to: Carly (Laura Wright) is on a mission to get Josslyn (Eden McCoy) out of Wyndemere, and doesn’t care the danger it puts her in. Once there, we see her snooping around the mysterious castle, and she runs smack dab into Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)! Is she about to be thrown in a room with her daughter and Obrecht (Kathleen Gati)?

Meanwhile, speaking of that secret room, Obrecht tells Josslyn, “My work is done. I’ve completed the prototype.” Josslyn with tears in her eyes, has a decision to make. Does she just let Obrecht hand over the prototype to Cullum and company, which could spell the end for them and who knows who else?

Courtesy/ABC

CODY VS. NATHAN?

Last Friday, Felicia (Kristina Wagner) was informed by Anna (while visiting her best friend in a French mental facility), that the man saying he is “Nathan West” (Ryan Paevey) is not. Now, we hear Felicia’s voice-over saying, “Nathan, isn’t who he says he is,” juxtaposed with Cody (Josh Kelly) with his phone watching “Nathan” with James (Gary James Fuller). Will Cody save the day?

JOHN OLIVER DEBUTS

Lastly, John Oliver lands via helicopter and appears in a suit flanked by two soldiers with tactical gear holding machine guns. As the two men exit the landing area, the cameras pan to a close up of Oliver who seems to be looking down at someone. Is Oliver playing the mysterious WSB head, Z? Stay tuned!

Here’s a look at the official General Hospital spoilers for the week of June 29-July 3 below.

MONDAY, JUNE 29
Emma seeks answers from Anna. Alexis confides in Sonny. Cassius briefs Cullum. Felicia is skeptical. Molly opens up about her parents.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30
Tracy confronts Sonny. Gio stands his ground. Nina makes an alarming discovery. Ava locks horns with Ethan. Josslyn and Obrecht find common ground.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
Sonny is lured into a trap. Ava unleashes her fury. Nina must act fast. Lucas is floored. Carly overhears stunning news.

THURSDAY, JULY 2
Sonny makes a revelation. Ava hears a shocking confession. Anna is grateful. Tracy supports Cody. Carly is stunned.

FRIDAY, JULY 3
Carly is on the warpath. Britt is in the hot seat. Dante breaks bad news. Molly wants answers. Charlotte seeks Lulu’s help.

Check out the just released promo for General Hospital entitled “Explosive Week” below.

Now let us know, excited to see John Oliver in what appears to be the role of Z? Will Cody stop Cassius in his tracks once and for all? Will Carly bring down Cullum, or will he throw her in captivity with Obrecht and Josslyn? Share your thoughts on what looks to be a pivotal week on GH via the comment section.

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John Oliver Lands Roles on ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’

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The soap opera Gods haves smiled down upon late night talk show and Emmy winner, John Oliver. The Last Week Tonight host revealed on Sunday’s June 28 episode of his HBO Max series, that he booked two roles on two different soap operas, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives and his long-fueled desire to appear in a role on the genre had been fully realized, twice over!

Previously, Oliver let it be known back in the March 8 episode of this late night show, that after realizing ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith (Brick) had a recurring role on a soap opera, that he was tinged with jealously and wanted to do the same sharing, “To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you. Write me a role, and I will be on your set so fast, it will make your head spin.” Oliver also had some mandates he wanted a character with a “ridiculous” name, and he wanted,” something juicy, like murder, or slapping, or being slapped, or being someone’s long-lost something.”

So, who came a calling? First up, General Hospital! Oliver will be playing a “significant” character to a major storyline (and i think you know who it will be!) in episodes that begin this week for a three-episode arc starting on Thursday, July 2, Friday, July 3 and wrapping Monday, July 6.

Photo: JPI

JOHN OLIVER COMES TO PORT CHARLES

In a statement, GH executive producer, Frank Valentini told Variety, “When John Oliver publicly threw down the gauntlet and said he wanted to appear on a soap, we didn’t hesitate for a second. He was everything you’d hope he’d be: prepared, professional, funny and genuinely kind to everyone on set. He plays an integral character in the story, and I can’t wait for fans to see who he crosses paths within Port Charles.”

John Oliver added: “General Hospital was everything I hoped it would be. It’s a true honor to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show.”

On the Sunday, June 28 episode of Last Week Tonight, Oliver shared, “General Hospital had genuinely picked me for a role and given me the chance to hang out in Port Charles, the home of Luke and Laura, the Corinthos family and Brick, and given me the chance to join the ranks of guest stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr, and of course the great Colonel Sanders.”

Oliver explained, “I’ll be on General Hospital next week and while I’m not going to spoil anything. I will show you this picture of my character. Yes, that is me surrounded by men with guns. And yes, my hair has been dipped in an ink well (see lead photo of this article), and if you can tell from my face, I’m acting my hardest.”

As the story broke, GH’s Chris McKenna (Brennan) took to X and said “Go to ‘Z’ with the hashtags #GH and @HBO, meaning Oliver has to be playing the never-before-seen boss of Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), who Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) are trying to get to.

JOHN OLIVER COMES TO SALEM

Following, his stint on General Hospital and as first reported by Oliver himself, he will next be seen in episodes streaming on Peacock of Days of Our Lives, August 11, 12 and 14. Given DAYS usually tapes ten-months in advance of streaming, it’s clear they worked in some new scenes featuring Oliver just the other week.

In a statement on his guest star role on Days of Our Lives, series executive producer, Ken Corday shared, “When John Oliver said, ‘Call me soaps, I’m available and willing to travel. I want to be a part of that world,’ our world, we had to heed the call!”

Photo: CordayProductions/ChrisHaston

On Last Week Tonight, Oliver explained, “I’m thrilled to announce I have an update, because I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of little show called Days of Our Lives. The show that gave us unforgettable moments like the Devil possessing Marlena, Sami Brady trying to rescue Phillip from Iraq by going in full soldier drag and Bo Brady discovering a mysterious woman in a bayou that everyone called Swamp Girl until learning she was actually a princess. Well, I’m happy to say that I’ve already taped a week of episodes on Days of Our Lives!”

He acknowledged being part of the iconic series and its legendary stars: “This is clearly a huge honor to come to the home of some of the more renowned soap actors like Deidre Hall (Marlena), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), and the late John Aniston (ex-Victor).”

Photo: IG

Oliver then showed a photo of himself in a scene with EJ DiMera played by Dan Feuerriegel and wearing a rather humorous hair piece. On Monday, Feuerriegel took to his social media and shared a behind the scenes photo of himself next to Oliver and writing, “Well, this happened 🤭 Can’t wait for y’all to enjoy the shenanigans. John crushes it. #daysofourlives #JohnOliver”

So, what do you think of John Oliver being given two soap roles from two shows, who quickly picked up on the the late night talk show host’s desire to appear on a soap and wrote roles and booked him? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out the promo from this week’s General Hospital featuring Oliver below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Britt and Rocco Say Their Goodbyes, Then She Gets Arrested; Anna Reveals “Nathan West” is an Imposter

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On the Friday, June 26 episode of General Hospital, emotional moments, a new duo on the run, the end of the line for Britt and an eye-opening moment between Anna and Felicia were the order of the day. Let’s take a look at what went down, but first let’s give a round of applause for Kelly Thiebaud (Britt) and Finn Carr (Rocco) on their goodbye scenes.

In the story, Rocco insists to his parents, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Lulu (Alexa Havins) that he wouldn’t leave Tortola without Britt. Dante is getting impatient because Britt brought all the trouble in recent months to his son. They need to protect him and they can’t if he stays with Britt. Lulu tells Britt she is the only one who can do the right thing, right now.

Britt explained it is too dangerous for Rocco to stay with her. She was very selfish and made a lot of terrible decisions along the way and Cullum is tracking her down because she did not finish the project he enlisted her for. She convinces Rocco to go with his parents and gives him a little token of something that reminded her of when he was a baby which is a bottle to blow bubbles with.

Courtesy/ABC

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Rocco makes Britt promise to take her medication to ward off her Huntington’s disease symptoms and to keep changing locations so she is not caught. The two share a final hug as both are in tears. Dante makes a call. While in the car ready to leave Britt behind, Rocco says he will never forgive himself is something happened to Britt.

Back inside, Britt is ready to inject herself with her medication but is unaware that Cullum has now tainted it with poison! But she is saved from that, when two police officers burst through the door to arrest her for kidnapping charges! Did Dante call the local police? Is he doing this to keep her safe or to pay her back?

In Port Charles, Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) arrives at Crimson, completely unaware that the man in the elevator is following her. Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Charlotte have an argument about Willow (Katelyn MacMullen). Suddenly, Willow calls her mother that she is being questioned by the PCPD, and Nina learns, it is as a suspect for being the other driver that left Jordan and Curtis injured by the side of the road on Route 91.

ARRIVALS AND DESTINATIONS IN QUESTION

Chase (Josh Swickard) comes to Willow’s rescue much to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Justine’s (Nazneen Contractor) chagrin. Willow learns Lucy  and Drew are the supposed witnesses against her. Chase figures out when Joe (Jonathan Bennett) was alone with Drew, he got him to blink in a way that implicated her. However, in a shocking moment, Justine reveals that the trip log from Willow’s BMW SUV placed her at the scene of the accident just second before it occurred.

Meanwhile, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) comes by Crimson to see Charlotte. He says he broke into the WSB office to get info to expose Cullum as a double agent. Charlotte blows a gasket! She can’t believe that he would do something so stupid that it could have gotten him killed. She firmly tells Danny that best thing he can do to help Jason is to stay out of things. Danny storms out, but notices the stranger in the elevator who now steps into the Crimson lobby.

Courtesy/ABC

The man tells Charlotte he is Agent Mark McKay with the WSB and he has orders to bring her in. When she resisted, he was about to chloroform her, when Danny knocked him out and took off with Charlotte.

ANNA PUTS HER TRUST IN FELICIA

In France, after having some private time with Emma (Braedyn Bruner), Anna (Finola Hughes) wants to talk to Felicia (Kristina Wagner). She tells her best friend she was trying to figure out what memories of her past with Faison, she could trust and not trust. Since Felicia knows her best she is hoping she can believe what she is about to tell her.

It is then that Anna says, “Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) is not who he says he is.” Felicia looks dumb-founded. Will she believe her friend … or think she has drummed this all up in her mind? Stay tuned.

So, what did you think about the goodbye scenes featuring Finn Carr and Kelly Thiebaud? Did you reach for the hankies? Do you believe that soon, Cassius will be caught for his duplicity and the truth about Britt’s “illness” will come to light? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below. But first check out the scenes featuring Anna on her road to recovery in France

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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