Kirsten Storms Opens Up About 2025 General Hospital Break: ‘Majorly Freaked Me Out’

For longtime fans of “General Hospital,” Kirsten Storms is more than just an actress; she’s Maxie Jones. Maxie is a character we’ve watched grow, love, and navigate all the dramatic twists of Port Charles for nearly two decades. But recently, the drama has unfortunately moved off-screen, as Storms has been candidly sharing a frightening and personal health battle. It’s a harsh reminder that the stars we love face real-life struggles, and often far more daunting than any soap opera storyline.

What is Kirsten Storms Facing?

Kirsten Storms has revealed she is preparing for another brain surgery, this time to treat a newly discovered aneurysm. This news comes just a few years after a 2021 procedure to remove a large cyst from her brain. For anyone, this would be terrifying news. For Storms, it’s another chapter in an ongoing fight for her health, one she’s choosing to face with incredible transparency and strength.

In a recent, heartfelt Instagram post, Kirsten Storms laid it all out for her fans. During a routine follow-up scan in January, her doctors found an aneurysm on the right side of her brain. An aneurysm is a weak, bulging area on the wall of a brain artery. If it were to rupture, it could cause life-threatening bleeding. The seriousness of this diagnosis is not lost on anyone, least of all Storms herself. She stated that she was “majorly freaked” out.

Doctors attempted an initial procedure shortly after the aneurysm discovery, but due to the aneurysm’s “complex situation,” they were unable to treat it with a standard coiling procedure. Endovascular coiling is a minimally invasive technique designed to block blood flow to the aneurysm, effectively neutralizing the threat. Now, Storms is awaiting a second attempt at the surgery, which is scheduled to happen within the next few weeks.

As if that weren’t enough, the scan also revealed another small cyst on her brain stem. This combination of health scares became a major wake-up call for the actress, prompting her to make significant life changes for her “physical and mental health. And my overall happiness.”

Why Is Kirsten Storms Leaving “General Hospital?”

This health journey is the primary reason behind Storms’ temporary departure from “General Hospital.” In July, she announced she was taking a break from the show and moving from Los Angeles to Tennessee. This move isn’t merely a change of scenery; it’s a definitive step toward a less stressful and more fulfilling life. It’s also centered around what matters most: her 11-year-old daughter, Harper.

The decision to leave California, which was her home for many years, underscores the gravity of her situation. Storms has been very open about the role that stress can play in health issues like hers. Storms is taking some proactive steps. She’s prioritizing her health and well-being. It’s a move that many of us can relate to and admire – choosing health and family over the unforgivingly relentless pace of Hollywood.

Fighting Vicious Rumors and Finding Support

In her time of vulnerability, Kirsten Storms also had to fight some nasty online rumors. She shared her frustrations and her hurt after a blog falsely claimed her January hospital stay was due to a self-harm attempt. “I couldn’t understand why a person would make up something that terrible,” she wrote, bravely shutting down the baseless and cruel speculation.

Through it all, she has found a rock-solid support system. She’s leaning on loved ones, including her former “General Hospital” costar and close friend, Emme Rylan. Storms shared a touching photo of the two of them crocheting together, a calming activity while she awaits her surgery. It’s a beautiful picture of friendship in the face of adversity.

Kirsten Storms’ journey is a moving and inspiring story of resilience. By sharing her fears and her fight, she’s not just updating fans; she’s connecting to them on a human level. This reminds us that “we’ve all got times when things aren’t great.” We are all wishing her a safe procedure and a very speedy and peaceful recovery.