Ali, Hafa Adai and Hello,

My name is Suzan Stacy O. Rideb, I am a stay-at-home mom taking care of my 4-year-old daughter and my oh-so energetic 2-year-old boy. I will be flying out to the mainland for a medical procedure that will be done at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, California.

I will be undergoing heart surgery for a Mitral Valve Repair and VSD repair. My history with the disease started at when I was a 2 year old, I underwent heart surgery for my VSD repair in California. While living in Palau, I was admitted for Rheumatic Heart Disease in September of 2009. The Doctor noticed my valve was shaped like a hockey stick, and said it was not a cause for concern during that time.

I moved back to Guam in 2013 to pursue more opportunities to help my family back home in Palau. January 20, 2021, thinking I had the Corona Virus, I scheduled to see a physician at Seventh Day Adventist. I had symptoms of being COVID positive but upon evaluations and EKG due to my history, and they found that my conditions worsened, and new symptoms arose, and I needed evaluation from a specialist. My appointments/visitations with Dr. Inaba MD of Pacific Cariology Consultants, further found to be a mitral valve regurgitation. Everything seemed to be “ok” and they were saying I would not need surgery then. May 07, 2021, I went to Guam Memorial Hospital emergency due to not being able to breathe while trying to sleep. I was admitted for 2 days, and they found that the patch from my past surgery opened and fluid was going into my lungs. With that event, I saw Dr. Inaba once more and it was decided that I needed to undergo a Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement and VSD repair ASAP.

I am humbly asking for support with my medical finances for my upcoming surgery. I am traveling to California with a diagnosis from Guam but do not know what my evaluation will be with the specialist in California will be. My insurance provider has stated that some anticipated costs with the surgery will not be part of the coverage.

I am hoping and praying that the surgery will be successful and give me more time with my loved ones, family and friends. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers and I am forever grateful for your help in this time of need.