My story begins with why I am here today, my mom. March 13, 2019, is a day I will never forget. It was the day my mom was given a second chance at life.
In February 2019, my mom called me explaining she was very tired, and her asthma was bothering her. Heading into work and living forty-five minutes away I felt like there was something deeper there, but I couldn't quite figure out the problem. Something told me to keep calling her, which I did.
I explained to her that she needed to go to the emergency room, but she explained she just wanted to sleep and to stop calling so much which worried me more. But to keep her awake and alert, I kept calling her.
I made a call to my aunt. My aunt took a drive to her house and was able to convince her to go to the emergency room. At that point, she was examined with an EKG. While in the waiting room, the doctors came rushing out questioning if she ever had any heart issues in her past, to which she stated, "No". They then proceeded to say, “Well you're in the middle of a massive heart attack.” By the time I was able to reach my mom, her heart function was at 20%. They were afraid she wouldn't make it by ambulance to the next hospital, so she was airlifted to Ormond Advent Health Hospital where she was given six stents in her heart. At this time her heart function went down to 9%.
I remember the moment like it was yesterday. One moment I was holding her hand and the next her heart function was decreasing before my eyes.
Five days at this hospital was all it took for them to see she was not getting better.
Her valve was too damaged to repair. Our mother would receive the care she needed in Orlando, Florida. She was then airlifted to Advent Health Orlando Hospital where she was informed, she would need an LVAD or heart transplant. This is where we were introduced to so many wonderful doctors, social workers, nurses, and finally a transplant team. I never fully understood the transplant process until it was happening before my eyes. I had so many questions, fears, and too much hospital food.
I had to be strong for my mom so I decided that I would only grieve alone. I will never forget the day I sat in the cafeteria crying and praying to God for one more day. Just one more. When two weeks ago, I thought I had endless. In these moments you start to tell yourself, she won't see you get the job you always wanted, walk down the aisle, or have children. Reality sets in.
After many tests, on March 5th, 2019, my mother was put on the transplant list. 7 days after this, we got the call.
My mother was scheduled for an LVAD on March 13th. It was at this moment that her surgeon, Dr. Scott Silvestry, who did anything and everything to save her heart, gave her the news. “Linda we can either do the LVAD tomorrow, or you could get a brand-new heart”. All I could remember was calling everyone and rushing to the hospital to get to her.
The greatest blessing was having a crazy amount of support from the hospital staff, doctors, friends, coworkers, and family, but most of all, my father and siblings.
It just takes one day for your life to take a complete turn, one day it was completely horrible and within 39 days of hospitalization, it became so beautiful. It was truly amazing to watch my mom heal and have a second chance at life. 16 days later, through many obstacles, she pushed through, and I was able to drive her home. One of the greatest moments of my life.
I prayed to God for one more day and this year on March 13th, I was given 1865 days.
I am running this marathon not only for this team but for my mom, Linda Rodriguez. I will be more than proud as her daughter to show that you can overcome anything you set your mind and heart to.
Thank you for supporting American Heart Association. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.