General Hospital Star Kirsten Storms Offers Health Battle Update, Teases Return as Maxie
Kirsten Storms has been absent from the screen as Maxie Jones since August, when her General Hospital alter ego fell into a coma and was sent to a long-term care facility in Boston after she was poisoned — by Sidwell (Carlo Rota), viewers soon learned. Now, the popular star has opened up to fans with an Instagram post detailing the latest on her health and hinting at when she’ll be returning to Port Charles.
The Comeback Trail
A GH fixture since 2005, the actress shared on Instagram in July that she was taking an extended leave from the show while she moved out of Los Angeles and settled into a new home in Nashville with her daughter, Harper Rose Barash. She shares Harper, who turns 12 in January, with her ex-husband, Brandon Barash (ex-Johnny, GH; ex-Jake/Stefan, Days of Our Lives), who has also set down roots in Nashville. In her post, Storms voiced her gratitude to Executive Producer Frank Valentini for accommodating her absence and revealed that she was done taping as Maxie “for the year” and likely wouldn’t be back in the studio until 2026. “I really want to thank GH, the ABC network executives, the writers for agreeing to let me take this time,” she stated in her video message. “I know Frank and the producers there know my reasons and I am so grateful that they understand and are supportive.”
Then, in a subsequent post on Instagram in October, Storms opened up about the medical reasons behind her decision to leave L.A. She explained that she had decided to relocate after learning that she needed to undergo brain surgery. Back in 2021, the actress had undergone an operation called a craniotomy to drain and remove noncancerous cysts on her brain, and in January 2025, she had a new scan of her brain after complaining of new symptoms to her neurosurgeon. “I was shocked when the doctors told me they found an aneurysm on the right side of my brain,” she wrote.
“Aneurysms (obviously) can be caused by stress,” she continued. “Brain cysts? I believe that is possible too…. and since the January scan showed a new, but very small, squatter (aka cyst) on my brain stem — it was clear I needed to change some things in my life asap.” After receiving her diagnosis, “I checked in with my super smart surgeon, completed my next few months at work, started my hiatus, and left California.”
When she posted in October, Storms was scheduled to undergo a coiling procedure, which helps prevent the aneurysm from bursting, within a matter of weeks, and credited her best friend and former GH co-star Emme Rylan (ex-Maxie), who she was staying with in St. Louis, for helping her through such a difficult time. “Emotional support, when going through times in life that cause worry, is crucial,” Storms noted, adding, “The biggest reason for the move was Harper, but a lot of it was for my physical and mental health. And my overall happiness.”
Since then, the actress has kept a low profile on social media — but on December 22, she posted a new update on both her health and her plans to return to GH. “I’ve received a lot of social media support on this subject, so I want to give an update on my medical situation,” her message began. “My last appointment was with a new Neurosurgeon in St Louis. He told me that I am in the ‘gray zone’ for the aneurysm procedure. It’s not super small, but it’s not at the mandatory surgery size. Basically, I can keep monitoring it – or have the coiling done, BUT he told me I wasn’t in immediate/’OMG! it’s going to burst tomorrow!’ kind of danger. Obvi, great news. 💁🏼♀️”
Storms elaborated, “Trying to see if I’m comfortable with the ‘wait and see if it gets worse’ plan. I do know that I am not eager to hop right on the operating table. (Plz refer to my post in 2021, following my craniotomy. The pic of the back of my head will *possibly* convey why this topic is a little difficult for me to openly discuss. And of course there was that surgery back in Jan this year 🙅🏼♀️). So, as I sit in this’gray zone’, pondering my plan, I want you guys to know that I really do appreciate the messages and stories offered of your own experiences. I needed those….and I had no idea (weird how that works, right?). Super easy to be silly and have fun on these platforms, but getting deep about online rumors and my feelings about them? Hah….i’d rather switch to decaf coffee. (My psychologist would tell me that’s a clear example of ‘avoidance’.)”
She ended her update with a hint at her GH future. “Welp I’m out of jokes, so I’m gonna say 🎄HAPPY HOLIDAYS 🎄and maaaaybe you will be seeing me back in Port Charles soon. ✨🎅🏼✨,” she teased.
In the storyline, while Maxie has been lingering in that coma, life in Port Charles has kept moving without her — and in some very intriguing ways. Most notably, her late husband, Nathan West (Ryan Paevey), and her late sister-in-law, Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), have made his-and-her returns from the dead. Maxie’s live-in love, Damian Spinelli (Bradford Anderson), has been maintaining his hope that his beloved “Maximista” will regain consciousness soon, he’s also been understandably anxious about how Nathan’s return might affect his own romantic future with her. Meanwhile, Nathan — who has no memories of the seven years during which he was believed to be dead — is getting to know James, the son he shares with Maxie who was born after his “death” in 2018…. and he’s also been spending a lot of time with Lulu (Alexa Havins), Maxie’s best friend. So when Maxie does get her medical miracle and resume her life in Port Charles, she’ll definitely be coming home to a lot of drama!
Are you excited for Maxie’s return, and how do you think she’ll react to the sight of Nathan, alive and in the flesh? Let us know in the comments below!
Conversation
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