Patient Stories

An avid, award-winning cyclist and father of two, Mike Goertemoeller never expected a routine ride to take a life-changing turn. What began as a serious accident turned out to be the beginning of a race for his life—one that would test his strength, perseverance, and spirit.

• A devastating bicycle crash brought Mike to UC Medical Center, where he received treatment for a broken clavicle, along with fractures to his vertebrae and skull.
  
• While in the neurosciences intensive care unit, doctors discovered an abnormality in the blood vessels of his brain. Further testing revealed Mike had an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) — a potentially life-threatening condition. The expert care team at UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute created a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to Mike’s unique needs.
  
• Determined to recover from both his accident and brain surgery, Mike fought his way back. In less than a year, he returned to cycling—and is even competing once again.

UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute is dedicated to providing boundless care for better outcomes. If you or a loved one needs care for a complex neurological condition, contact us at 866-941-8264.

Cycling Crash Leads to a Hidden Condition

In April 2024, while cycling with a group near his home, Mike Goertemoeller suffered a severe crash that left him with a broken clavicle and fractures to his vertebrae and skull. He was rushed to UC Medical Center, where the trauma team immediately sprang into action.

While treating Mike’s injuries in the ER, Dr. Matthew Smith, a physician in the Division of Neurocritical Care, noticed an abnormality in the blood vessels of his brain and ordered follow-up testing.

Dr. Smith said, “Mr. Goertemoeller was pretty banged up after his accident. Thankfully, he always wears a helmet while cycling. At first, it looked like the blood in his head was from the bicycle crash. However, we quickly realized he had a totally separate and potentially life-threatening problem.”

Two weeks later, Mike met with the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute neurosurgery team for further evaluation.

Additional scans revealed a surprising and serious diagnosis: Mike had an arteriovenous fistula (AVF)—an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein. If left untreated, an AVF can lead to heart failure, stroke, or even death.

"My condition was pretty bad," Mike says. "If I didn’t have surgery, there was a very high chance I could die from it."

Expert AVF Care at the Right Time

Mike’s care team led by Dr. Smith and Dr. Jonathan Forbes, a renowned neurosurgeon, developed a carefully coordinated plan to treat the AVF.

"The [team] at UC is just amazing — I can't say enough about the care that I received," Mike says. "I couldn't have asked for better cooperation and better care. They listened to me, gave me a clear plan forward, and were super caring the entire time."

In June, Dr. Smith performed Mike’s initial brain surgery — an embolism procedure designed to reduce blood flow and minimize bleeding risks during a second, more extensive surgery. This procedure helped decrease the arterial blood flow into the fistula and provided a roadmap for the subsequent disconnection.

The second surgery, performed by Drs. Forbes and Charles J. Prestigiacomo successfully disconnected the extensive network of arteries flowing directly into the venous network of the brain through the pathologic fistula in the base of his skull.

Dr. Forbes said, “Mr. Goertemoeller suffered from a fistula in his ethmoidal region, where a very large amount of arterial blood flow had been recruited over time and was being directly shunted under high pressures into the venous system of his brain, placing him at undue risk of a potential severe intracranial hemorrhage. The surgery successfully shut down the fistula, one of the larger ones I have seen.”

“In addition to eliminating the risks of intracranial hemorrhage, there were other benefits to the disconnection of the fistula. In a competitive athlete like Mr. Goertemoeller, the existence of the fistula dampened his athletic performance, as a significant percentage of the blood pumped by the heart was being shunted unnecessarily directly into the venous network of the brain, instead of muscular tissue. After disconnecting the fistula, his heart will not have to work as hard to pump the same amount of blood to his muscles while exercising,” Dr. Forbes adds.

Uphill Race Toward Recovery

Mike’s road to recovery after surgery was anything but easy. He struggled with extreme fatigue and unexpected side effects—food tasted terrible, and nausea made eating almost unbearable. His weight dropped dramatically, leaving him both physically weakened and mentally drained.

Despite the setbacks, Mike remained fiercely determined to return to the bike. Knowing that riding outdoors was not immediately safe, he turned to indoor training, using a virtual cycling platform that allowed him to ride and race against others online.

Through persistence and patience, Mike slowly rebuilt his strength. By February 2025, less than a year after his surgeries, he competed in the e-Sports USA Cycling National Championships—and won first place in his age category. An incredible feat in such a short period.

"Just six months prior, I felt like I was on my deathbed," he says. "So winning was a pretty big deal to me."

Persevering Thanks to His Team of Champions

In less than a year, Mike has returned to cycling, although he admits he rides with a little more caution now. His return to the sport was not the result of one factor alone; it took a team effort. Mike credits the expert care he received from the multidisciplinary teams at UC Health, along with the unwavering support of his wife, Sheila, and their children, Maya and Kyle, for helping him through his most difficult days.

His recovery from AVF took teamwork—combining skilled medical care and his own determination to fight his way back to health. Mike hopes his story inspires others who might be facing overwhelming challenges not to give up.

He says, "When you’re at your lowest of lows, and you feel like your world is done, just know—there will be better days ahead."

UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute is committed to delivering boundless care to every patient we serve, driving better outcomes every step of the way. If you or a loved one needs expert care for a complex neurological condition, call us at 866-941-8264.