‘General Hospital’ (GH) spoilers reveal that Kirsten Storms, who plays Maxie Jones, has shared a new health update on Instagram.

‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Maxie Is Currently In a Coma

Kirsten has been absent from the GH canvas since August. Maxie fell into a coma after being poisoned by the villainous Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota).

Maxie’s family sent her to a long-term care facility in Boston. Storms has played Maxie since 2005, and in July, the actress shared on Instagram that she had to take an extended leave from the soap.

She was in the middle of moving herself and her daughter, Harper Rose Barash, from Los Angeles to Nashville. Kirsten shares Harper with her ex-husband, Brandan Barash, who played Johnny Zacchara on GH, and more recently, Stefan DiMera on Days of Our Lives.

In her post, Storms expressed her gratitude toward GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, for accommodating her while she was dealing with a major health battle.

She said that she had finished filming Maxie’s scenes for the year and likely wouldn’t return to the show until 2026.

Kirsten stated in a video message,

“I really want to thank the ABC network executives, the writers for agreeing to let me take this time.”

She continued,

“I know Frank and the producers there know my reasons, and I am so grateful that they understand and are supportive.”

‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Kirsten Underwent a Craniotomy In 2021

Then, in a post on Kirsten’s Instagram in October, she opened up about her health struggles and the reason she’s not in LA and why she’s not on GH right now.

Storms explained that she decided to move from LA when she learned that she needed to undergo brain surgery.

In 2021, the actress underwent an operation called a craniotomy to drain and remove a cyst on her brain.

In January, the doctors discovered that she was suffering from an aneurysm. Kirsten had been complaining of headaches, and she visited a neurosurgeon who informed her she had an aneurysm on the right side of her brain.

Of course, Storms was incredibly shocked and worried. She wrote,

“Aneurysms can be caused by stress.”

She continued, Brain cysts? I believe that’s possible too…. And since the January scan showed a new, but very small, squatter on my brain stem.

“It was clear I needed to change some things in my life asap.”

Kirsten said,

“I checked with my super smart surgeon, completed my next few months at work, started my hiatus, and left California.”

Storms credits her BFF and former co-star, Emme Rylan, for helping her get through a tough time. Emme played Lulu Spencer before she fell into her famous four-year coma.

The two of them spend a lot of time together. They love to crochet sweaters, as shown on Instagram, and they are as thick as thieves. Storms stayed with Rylan for a while in St. Louis.

‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Storms Is Currently Weighing Her Health Options

Kirsten noted that Rylan’s emotional support was invaluable. She also said that the biggest reason for her big move to Nashville was Harper, but it was also to nurture her physical and mental health.

In her new update on Instagram, Storms revealed that she met with her neurosurgeon, who told her that she’s in the gray zone, but her aneurysm isn’t at the mandatory surgery size.

She explained,

“Basically, I can keep monitoring it or have the coiling done, but he told me it wasn’t immediate, OMG, it’s going to burst tomorrow, kind of dangerous.”

Right now, Kirsten is weighing her options. She’s not exactly eager to jump into the operation, but there’s also the factor of the unknown being a bit on the scary side.

That said, Kirsten wrote,

“As I sit in my gray zone, pondering my plan, I want you guys to know that I really do appreciate the messages and stories of your own experiences. I needed those.”

Storms added,

“I had no idea. It’s super easy to be silly and fun on these platforms, but getting deep about online rumors and my feelings about them? I’d rather switch to decaf coffee!”

Kirsten wished her fans Happy Holidays and said she would be back on GH soon. In the meantime, we wish Storms nothing but the best and a happy and healthy new year!