From Headaches to Healing: How OU Health Neurosciences Saved Se’Naqua’s Life

When Se’Naqua Hildreth of Oklahoma City began experiencing relentless headaches in late 2024, she knew something wasn’t right.

“At first it felt like I had been hit in the head, and at the end, it was like I was submerged under water,” she said. “Every day, the pressure in my head was unbearable.”

After seeing a rheumatologist and finding no answers, she was referred to OU Health’s neurosciences team, part of the University of Oklahoma’s academic health system.

Nurse practitioner Lynn Knippers listened carefully to Se’Naqua’s symptoms and concerns, spent time reviewing her history, and pushed for further testing when migraine medications didn’t help.

An MRI and spinal tap eventually revealed the diagnosis: idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) — a buildup of fluid around the brain that was affecting Se’Naqua’s vision and causing severe headaches.

What is Intracranial Hypertension?

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is a condition where the pressure inside the skull becomes abnormally high without a clear cause.

This pressure builds up because the fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that cushions your brain and spinal cord, accumulates faster than the body can absorb it. The pressure rises inside the skull and presses on the brain and the optic nerve.

IIH can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• Severe, persistent headaches
• Vision problems or blind spots
• Ringing in the ears
• Nausea
• Neck or shoulder pain.

The condition is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 45, especially those who are overweight. While it’s not usually life-threatening, it can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated. Diagnosis typically involves eye exams, brain scans, and a spinal tap to measure the pressure of the fluid. Treatment may include medication, weight management, or surgery to relieve pressure.

The Decision for Surgery

As Se’Naqua was unable to take the standard medication to help the body absorb spinal fluid, surgery was the safest path forward. That’s when she met OU Health neurosurgeon Dr. Andrew Bauer, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

Se’Naqua remembers her first appointment with Dr. Bauer clearly. She was celebrating her 39^th birthday on March 27, 2025, the same day.

“He explained everything to me with such clarity and compassion,” Se’Naqua said. “He told me a shunt was the best option to preserve my eyesight and hopefully relieve the headaches.”

A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a small, flexible tube that drains excess fluid from the brain into the abdomen, where it can be absorbed safely. It relieves pressure on the brain and protects the optic nerve.

Dr. Bauer and his team performed the shunt surgery on April 22, 2025.

A Sudden Turn

The surgery went smoothly, and she did extremely well initially, but within a day of being discharged home, Se’Naqua collapsed in her bathroom. Her brave10-year-old daughter, Zion, found her unconscious and called for help.

Se’Naqua was rushed to OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center where imaging revealed a hemorrhagic stroke.

“It was a highly unusual complication,” Dr. Bauer explained. “The risk of a bleed like this more than 24 hours after shunt placement is less than 1%.”

The team responded immediately.

“Time is everything in a hemorrhagic stroke,” said Dr. Bauer. “Se’Naqua was in surgery 30 minutes from the time she arrived. The faster we act, the better the chances for recovery.”

Dr. Bauer performed a craniotomy to remove a small part of Se’Naqua’s skull, removed the shunt, and removed the brain clot.

The Long Road Back

Se’Naqua spent a month in the ICU and another month in inpatient rehabilitation before finally returning home in June.

While her left side was affected by the stroke, she can walk with the occasional use of a cane. Fatigue is a daily battle, and her once active lifestyle has been replaced by what Se’Naqua calls a “new normal.”

Despite the challenges, she has returned to work and is managing her life with adjustments.

“Before, I was always on the go,” Se’Naqua said. “Now I get tired so easily, but I’ve learned to accept this and I’m thankful to still be here.”

A Renewed Perspective

As Se’Naqua was unconscious in the ICU for weeks, her mother and sister spent many hours at the hospital and shared how attentive the staff — from nurses to surgeons — was.

“I just thank God every day,” she shared. “OU Health didn’t just save my life, they gave me the chance to keep being a mother, a daughter, and part of my community.”

Today, Se’Naqua uses her story to inspire others and to highlight the importance of advanced care.

Stories like Se’Naqua’s show how OU Health’s neuroscience experts, surgical innovation, and rehabilitation programs work seamlessly together. From diagnosis and surgery to therapy and long-term support, OU Health never stops pushing for better outcomes.

“The neurosurgery department at OU Health is the only place in the region for what I would term extra specialized neuro care,” said Dr. Bauer. “All of our faculty are fellowship trained, and we all are involved in research, pushing the field forward. For complex cases there isn't anywhere else that you can go to receive the specialty experience our team has.”

Expert Care at OU Health Neurosciences

When facing complex and life-altering neurological conditions, families shouldn’t have to choose between expert care and staying close to home. OU Health’s advanced neurosurgery capabilities bring the most current technology, highly specialized expertise, and comprehensive support services together, ensuring Oklahomans receive world-class treatment without leaving the state.

Learn more about neurosciences services at OU Health, or request an appointment or second opinion by calling (405) 271-4912.