Support Sonia's Recovery from Open Heart Surgery

My mom Sonia, is most known for her cooking and roses. Those closest to her know that she’s silly (although you’d never know that because she always comes off so serious). Even so, she is always thinking about others before herself, so it’s quite unfair that her big heart was broken.

It’s true when they say things can change in a split second. On May 2nd, 2024, while in her home kitchen, my Mom experienced severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and visual loss. After losing consciousness and turning ice cold, my brother who luckily was there when the onset of symptoms appeared, rushed Mom to the ER. After a contrast catscan, she was diagnosed with a Type A Aortic Dissection (the more dangerous of the two).

With a life threatening diagnosis, Mom was care flighted to the University of Utah Level 1 Trauma Center for emergency open heart surgery. On May 3rd she underwent a 7 hour surgery to repair her aortic dissection. Following a complication, Mom went back under for a second - 2 hour surgery, where she was left open overnight (incase other complications arose) and closed back up the following morning (May 4th).

After 1 day in the ER, 10 days in the CVICU (cardiovascular ICU), 7 days on the CVMU floor (cardiovascular medical unit) and an 8+ hour car drive back home from Salt Lake City, Mama is home! Her recovery will be hard and challenging as she’s limited to arm and upper body use (to avoid straining her sternum & chest incision) and will require a minimum of 2 months to heal. Mom also has residual Type B Dissection that will be closely monitored.

With hospital bills, transportation (1 care flight and 2 ambulance rides) and almost 3 months off of work, we are asking for any monetary donation (no amount is too small) to help with the financial burden this unexpected surgery will bear. Mom would actually cringe at the thought of a fundraiser for her, but now more than ever with the help of family, friends and coworkers is our chance to show her our support.

Please continue to pray for Moms recovery and help share this post.

Thank You <3