Thankful People: Recent brain surgery patient graduates with master's degree from Missouri S&T

ROLLA, Mo. — Creighton Miles has wanted to earn a master’s degree in explosives engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology since age 12. He was just a few credit hours from achieving his goal last December when he stayed home from work in Kansas City one day with a migraine that led to emergency surgery and put his graduation plans on hold.

After calling in sick, Creighton later tried to get out of bed but couldn’t walk. His wife of four months, Emily, notified Creighton’s parents and then called 911. The emergency room physician diagnosed him with a brain bleed and ordered immediate surgery.

Driving, crying and praying, Creighton’s parents had left their Southeast Missouri home in Advance and were still a few hours away from Kansas City when their daughter-in-law called them again and put them on speakerphone with the neurosurgeon who had just completed two-hour surgery on Creighton. The bleeding was bad, the doctor said, and Creighton suffered significant brain injury.

“It was clear his left side was greatly affected — his speech was slurred, his mouth was severely drawn, and his entire left side was paralyzed,” Paula Miles, Creighton’s mother, said. “I will never forget him telling me he just wanted to walk again. At that point, I couldn’t assure him that he would.”

As Creighton worked on recovering, he realized a graduate school assignment was due. He asked his wife to call the professor, Gillian Worsey, and explain what happened. Worsey, an adjunct assistant professor in explosives engineering at S&T, offered to let Miles take an incomplete until he could return to his course work.

“We are very grateful to the professors in mining and explosives engineering for the guidance and care they have given Creighton since his first experience at Missouri S&T’s Explosives Camp in 2013 and throughout his college career,” Paula said.

The family moved Creighton to a hospital with a larger neurology department. The team there determined the brain bleed was caused by a mitral valve infection in his heart. Creighton’s doctor said antibiotics might heal the infection and the valve could regain full function. That was not to be. The hospital cardiothoracic team determined the valve was so badly damaged it would need to be replaced. Meanwhile, Creighton had a second brain surgery to remove a fist-sized clot left by the brain bleed.

His outlook changed as time progressed. His mother said he became disengaged. His father, Harold Miles, contacted friends and family and asked them to text encouraging messages to his son. They responded enthusiastically, and it was just what Creighton needed. His mother said that over the next two weeks, her son walked more, ate more and was once again fully engaged in his recovery.

On Jan. 7, Creighton had open-heart surgery to replace his aortic and mitral valves. He recovered well enough to go home less than a week later — after a month in the hospital, two brain surgeries and open-heart surgery.

“We witnessed God perform a miraculous healing that brought Crey from the edge of death back to his work and pursuit of a master’s degree in explosives,” said Harold Miles. “I’m so proud of him for his perseverance and of his wife, Emily, for her never-ending love, support and encouragement to him.”

Shortly after returning to his home in Grain Valley, Missouri, Creighton finished the coursework for the classes he suspended in December and completed his application for graduation in May.

“I don’t think I could have made it through this without the support of my wife, friends and family, and the countless prayers from everyone,” said Creighton, who plans to continue in his position as an underground technical representative for Buckley Powder Co. after graduation.

His parents said COVID-19 forced cancellation of in-person graduation ceremonies when he completed his bachelor’s degree in May 2020, so he couldn’t walk across the stage to receive his diploma. They are excited to celebrate his walk at commencement this year, and they say it would not have been possible without his hard work and determination combined with support from professors, family and friends.

“We believe it is a miracle for Creighton to go from where he was on Dec. 13 to where he is today,” Paula said. “Our hearts are so full of gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers he received, and we are forever changed because of it. We look forward to Crey living a long, full life.”