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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’s’ Tanisha Harper Opens Up About Being a Recast for the Role of Jordan Ashford

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On General Hospital, Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) is having her own crisis to deal with since the accident that scarred and disfigured her face. In addition, the man she loves, Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) was just hauled into the PCPD for punching out Dr. Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson). Curtis is determined to put the blame on Dr. Gannon for being the driver of the other car.

Such is the drama that Tanisha Harper is currently involved in on the long-running ABC daytime drama. Harper sat down with hosts Rebecca Budig (Taylor, The Bold and the Beautiful) and Greg Rikaart (Leo, Days of Our Lives) for the latest edition of their Soapy podcast which dropped on Tuesday.

As GH fans know, there have been a total of four actresses to play the role of Jordan. Vinessa Antoine (2014–2018), Briana Nicole Henry (2018–2021): Tiffany Daniels (2021) who temporarily filled-in for Henry while she was recovering from Covid-19, and Tanisha Harper (2022- present).

Photo: CBS/Soapy

FINOLA HUGHES WAS A BIG CHEERLEADER FOR TANISHA

Tanisha recalls her screen-test for the role which was actually with Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and Finola Hughes (Anna): “They were wonderful. I just adore Finola.  I remember when I had finished one of the scenes, and I think we were doing another scene, or another take in a different way, and she was like, “You got this. You’re gonna get this.”  She was so positive, so great, and just so lovely and it made me feel so good.”

BECOMING THE NEXT JORDAN ASHFORD

In addition, Harper shared how she really didn’t know what part she actually would be playing till shortly before her first day on set. “There were two other Jordans, and then there was another girl before me and Brianna,” she detailed. “Initially, I didn’t know that was the role I was going for. So I thought it was for the district attorney. Once I had booked the job, I think about a week before when they sent the script to me, they’re like, ‘You’re going to be playing the character Jordan.’ Even though she been played by two other girls, they didn’t want me to go in and try to emulate how the other girls did their performances. They just wanted me make it my own, and do my own thing.  I think that helped. I didn’t really know anything about the character at all, and it was kind of hard at the time to see online other people’s performances. So, I was forced to make the character my own.”

Photo: ABC

JORDAN’S INSIDE JOB TO TAKE DOWN SIDWELL

Recently, Jordan went back to using her undercover skills to infiltrate Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) organization and get the dirt on his crimes. As she explained her character’s current plight, “Jordan decided to take it upon herself to go undercover to get this bad guy Sidwell, who’s come into town. So I resign from my position, and now my character has been working for him undercover, but he’s a very wealthy man. So my character, she was enjoying that life. She’s all of a sudden walking around with her fancy bags and her cars, but she’s still undercover. Now, Jordan was in a big car accident and now her face is all scarred.” Viewers need to stay tuned-in to GH to see what happens next!

Watch the full conversation with Tanisha on her visit to the Soapy podcast below.

Now weigh-in, do you think Jordan will eventually get the goods on Sidwell, or is she useless in this situation? Will she wind up needing Sidwell to get her to some specialist to help remove the scars on her face? What do you think about Tanisha’s process to becoming the recast Jordan? Let us know in the comment section below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Emma Wants to Save Anna, Isaiah’s Career is All But Destroyed, Joe Makes an Arrest

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The Monday, May 18 episode of General Hospital brought with it a startling discovery, a new reality for one surgeon, a new cop on the scene, and a granddaughter determined to protect her grandmother.

First, Laura (Genie Francis) tells Mac (John J. York) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) that Anna (Finola Hughes) is in worse trouble than she was previously after she had Kevin to check on her while he was in Europe. They head out to update Emma (Braedyn Bruner) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner).

Meanwhile, Emma gets upset over Anna during a discussion with Felicia and breaks Anna’s favorite coffee cup. Emma is overcome with sadness and cries, trying to figure out how she is supposed to be so happy with Gio (Giovanni Mazza), while Anna is locked away somewhere against her own will.

Courtesy/ABC

BAD NEWS FOR EMMA

Laura and Mac arrive to talk with Emma and Felicia, and reveal how Anna escaped and made it to the border, but she was now in the custody of the French authorities and they are transferring her to a long term mental illness facility, which freaks out Emma just as Gio arrives. Emma runs into his arms. Laura says at this point, Anna needs a strong advocate and she will make a call on her behalf. (But to who?)

At the Metro Court pool, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is arrested by Detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) after throwing a punch at Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson). Joe takes Curtis to the station where Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) tells Fitzgerald to remove Curtis’ handcuffs. Now inside the interrogation room, Curtis explains that he believes Isaiah left he and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) dead at the side of the road the night of the accident and provoked him.

BROKEN HAND, BROKEN MAN

Curtis just wants to put it all behind him and says he will pay for Isaiah’s medical bills, but Dante informs him, he is trouble and he needs to call a lawyer. So, he calls Jordan. Meanwhile, Isaiah gets looked at while at General Hospital, and his hand is messed up. He comes to learn he will need multiple surgeries not only for broken bones but two tendons were severed in the process. Isaiah realizes his surgical days are numbered possibility forever, if not for a very long time.

JOSSLYN FINDS ANNA’S MESSAGE

While being held hostage, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) tries again to convince Cassius (Ryan Paevey) to set her free. That leads into the two playing cards and Cassius asking Josslyn how she got into the WSB. Josslyn admits her boyfriend was murdered and she killed the person who was the culprit for retribution. She says she put together all the pieces that he did the crime, and now this line of work gives her purpose.

In the shocking final moments, after Cassius leaves for the night, Josslyn heads to the cot in the other part of the holding room and sees a hand-carved message on the wall from Anna that she was there and help captive on October 31, 2025.  We fade to black.

So what did you think of the concern Emma showed for Anna, and the performance of Braedyn Bruner? What are your very initial impressions of Jonathan Bennett as Joe Fitzgerald? Which character is annoying you more in the story …  Curtis, Jordan, Portia or Isaiah? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Detective Fitzpatrick is on the Scene, Nina Has to Silence Jack, Josslyn Needs an Escape Route

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital investigations, protection modes and conflict are the order of the day. In the just released ABC promo for the soap opera entitled “Held Captive,” first Lulu (Alexa Havins) is preparing to flea the country with Rocco (Finn Carr) if necessary including having passports ready and their bags packed.

However, with Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) having full-knowledge of Rocco shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and his own desire and plan to keep his son safe right in Port Charles, he firmly tells Lulu,“You will make my son a fugitive over my dead body!”

Meanwhile, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is trying to find a way out of captivity and as she moves her bed she finds a shocking message,“Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) was held captive here. I was taken on 10-31-25.” Suddenly, Josslyn is so panicked and determined. She tells herself she is going to get out of there. Next, we see her smashing a chair into someone’s face! Can she find a way out? Will Cassius (Ryan Paevey) be waiting for her to throw her back in?

Courtesy/ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL SPOILERS

Nina (Cynthia Watros) is getting all jittery again, as it appears she has gone back into Jack Brennan’s (Chris McKenna) hospital room and is ready to inject him with another secret dose of the medication to keep him in a paralytic state, after she accidentally jabbed him during his brawl with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart). As viewers know, that dose of the drug meant to keep Drew in a locked-in state. However, now Jack starts to move!

In addition, General Hospital welcomes Jonathan Bennett to the cast as PCPD Detective Joe Fitzpatrick, and in key moment he is seen at the police station. As to just what Joe will be up to? Well, in an additional newly released clip featuring Bennett in his debut episode on Monday, it’s clear that Detective Fitzpatrick is looking into Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Isaiah’s (Sawandi Wilson) altercation at the Metro Court Pool when he says, “What are the chances Ashford talks his way out of an arrest? Curtis Ashford seems to be a very powerful guy around here. The kind of guy that’s used to getting a way with stuff.”

Take a look below at the official GH spoilers for the week of May 18-22.

MONDAY, MAY 18
Police detective Joe Fitzpatrick is called to arrest one of Port Charles’s own. Laura delivers an update about Anna. Joss makes a grim discovery. Jordan presses Justine about Sonny. Emma opens up to Felicia.

TUESDAY, MAY 19
Valentin pitches a new plan. Gio supports Emma. Rocco is frustrated. Dante sets Joe straight. Curtis briefs Jordan.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Alexis seeks assistance from Ava. Ethan makes a promise to Lulu. Britt makes a big decision. Valentin and Carly clash. Nina gets a shock.

THURSDAY, MAY 21
Alexis wants answers. Ethan pays a visit to Tracy. Dante summons “Nathan.” Britt has new reason to worry. Lulu prepares to make her move.

FRIDAY, MAY 22
Sonny and Ric compare notes. Willow delivers good news. Britt shares intel. Laura’s reaction surprises Lulu. “Nathan” makes a plea.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo and a preview clip of Jonathan Bennett’s first episode as Joe Fitzpatrick below.

Now weigh-in: Since Josslyn will knows Anna was also held captive by Sidwell and company, how will she make her escape plan? Do you think Lulu and Rocco will go on the run? Will Jack come to and the jig will be up for Nina, or will the two reach some deal to keep him quiet from tattling on her? And, are you enthusiastic about the debut of Jonathan Bennett? Let us know in the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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