Jordana Brewster, the star of The Fast and the Furious, has opened up about a personal struggle that few would expect from a Hollywood action icon. In a revealing interview, she shared the details of her battle with a cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a rare condition that required an unusual and brave approach to treatment.
Brewster, 46, was diagnosed with CCM at 28, a condition characterized by small clusters of blood vessels in the brain that can cause slow-moving, usually clotted blood. This diagnosis came after she experienced two life-altering seizures, which led her to undergo a unique form of brain surgery while she was awake.
The actress described the procedure as a surreal experience, explaining that she was on her side during the operation, with a team of professionals guiding her through it. "I was on my side and there was someone in front of me showing me cards and sort of testing my language and two brilliant neurosurgeons behind me," she recalled. This awake craniotomy allowed her to actively participate in her own care, ensuring the surgeons were operating in the right areas.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Brewster's story is her experience with aphasia, a neurological language disorder. She described moments where she knew what she wanted to say but couldn't find the words, a frustrating and disorienting feeling. "You think it, you know the answer, but you're not able to say it. Which is a really weird feeling and it also made me question, 'Wait, what about patients that are in a coma or what about patients that can't articulate what they want to say but it's there, which is really frustrating,'" she said.
The surgery was a success, and Brewster has been seizure-free and symptom-free for six years. This experience, however, was not the only significant event in her life that year. She also divorced her husband, Andrew Form, and married ValueAct Capital CEO Mason Morfit, a transformative period that she likened to a more intense version of Elizabeth Gilbert's 'Eat, Pray, Love.'
Brewster's openness about her health struggle is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. It highlights the importance of personal stories in raising awareness and support for medical conditions that are often misunderstood. Her journey also underscores the idea that personal growth and transformation can come from both positive and negative experiences, offering a unique perspective on life's challenges and triumphs.
