The 35-year-old performer had already spoken about the two aneurysms while filming the blockbuster HBO drama Game of Thrones in 2011 and 2013, respectively. According to the NHS website, a brain aneurysm happens when a blood artery in your brain bulges. Most individuals are unaware they have a brain aneurysm until it ruptures, resulting in internal bleeding that can cause severe pain, brain damage, and even death.
“The portion of my brain that is no longer functional – it’s incredible that I am able to talk, sometimes articulately, and live my life entirely normally; I am in a very, very, very tiny fraction of individuals who can withstand that,” she added.
Clarke then revealed her reaction to seeing a scan of her brain, stating, “There’s quite a chunk missing, which always makes me chuckle.”
“Because strokes are generally fatal if any portion of your brain does not receive blood for a second.” As a result, the blood takes an alternative path to go around, but whatever bit is absent is lost.”
Clarke spoke on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2019 and went into further detail about the moment she knew she had an aneurysm.
“You know what I mean. You are completely aware,” Clarke responded to Colbert’s query about if she could tell what was wrong with her brain.
“The simplest way to describe it is that it is the worst headache a human could ever have. It’s rather intense. I was aware that I was suffering from brain damage. I’m not sure how you’ve got this terribly horrible headache, and you’re violently nauseous, and I knew somewhere it’s implied brain trauma.”
Clarke also appeared on CBS Sunday Morning to describe how she tried to remain hopeful following her second aneurysm, fearing it would have an influence on her acting career.
“I wanted to pull the plug at my darkest times,” she said. “I requested the doctors to let me die.” My career – my entire life’s ambition – revolved around language and communication. I’d be lost without it.”
“You go on the set, and you play a tough character, and you walk through the fire, and you speak to hundreds of people, and you’re being expected to be – to work as hard as you possibly can,” she remarked of how portraying Daenerys Targaryen helped her combat her demons.
“And it was the thing that simply kept me from thinking about my own mortality, right.”
Clarke’s on-screen spouse and former co-star Jason Momoa told Entertainment Tonight in 2019 that she was “brave” in the aftermath of her first aneurysm.
“I’ve been a part of that entire scenario for a long time, so we’ve had a lot of scares and trying to figure out the best way to come out and help,” Momoa explained. “I’m heartbroken since we nearly lost her the first time.” So, I adore her, she’s arrived, and she’s going to do wonderful things with it and teach the world.
“I just think it’s lovely that… She is extremely fearless in her efforts to assist the world and promote awareness.”
Clarke has subsequently founded Same You, a foundation committed to assisting others suffering from brain trauma.
Comment Below
What are your thoughts on Emilia’s journey during this intense period of her life? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Sources:
