Out of the Hospital and Back on the Courts

Team captain returns after brain aneurysm two years ago

By Kaitlyn Brown/USTA Southern Intern

Kaitlyn Brown/USTA Southern
Jennifer Hensley has won a battle
with an aneurysm.

Two strokes, nine surgeries, and thirty one days spent in the hospital merely two years ago and the captain of the Tennessee women’s 2.5 team looks as though she hasn’t skipped a beat.

Jennifer Hensley suffered a brain aneurysm in the April, 2008 and was in bad shape for awhile. “I had to do physical therapy for two months just to be able to walk,” explained Hensley, “I would have to ease out of bed and hold onto the wall and use baby steps.”

You would never know of Hensley’s past physical struggle watching her out on the court. After her aneurysm, she worked hard, stayed positive, and was back playing tennis a year later.

“She has come a long way”, stated Joey Hall, the team’s coach who traveled to Birmingham with them for support.

Next April is the two-year anniversary of Hensley’s aneurysm and she will have to undergo another surgery, hopefully her last. “If everything is fine, then I will know I am good to go forever,” said Hensley. It is customary for people who suffer a brain aneurysm to go back for another surgery after two years. If the doctors do not find anything wrong at that that time, they are considered to be fully recovered.

Lucky for Hensley, she has her own medical staff within her tennis team. There are two nurses, an anesthesiologist and a respiratory therapist.

“I told the nurses if I ever grab my head and holler, then I’m having another one!”

Hopefully, this will never be the case and Hensley’s surgery will confirm a full recovery. She is thankful for the support of her team and coach, and whatever the future may hold, she will continue to stay positive.