Tamara Renfro’s Recovery
As some of you know or may have heard, about a month ago Tamara was airlifted to the hospital where she was also in a coma for 3 weeks, but you may be curious as to why.
In the early morning hours of January 11, 2021 Robert awoke to Tamara gasping for breath & struggling to take in air. Robert called 911, a short time later Tamara’s airflow stopped completely. With guidance from the 911 dispatcher, Robert administered CPR until the paramedics arrived, 15 minutes later. As the medics continued resuscitation efforts, life flight was dispatched and Tamara was airlifted to Sharp Grossmont Hospital. While in the helicopter, Tamara had suffered sudden cardiac arrest just before arriving to the hospital. While in the ICU, doctors discovered that Tamara had also suffered multiple strokes, resulting in 3 weeks in a coma. Tamara awoke exactly 3 weeks to the day of the event, heart function normal but doctors were still unsure of Tamaras brain function & cognition.
What many of you may not know is that throughout Tamara’s lifetime, she has been diagnosed with a couple different heart-related conditions.
She was born with a heart condition called Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). PFO is a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth. During fetal development, a small flap-like opening — the foramen ovale — is normally present in the wall between the right and left upper chambers of the heart (atria). It normally closes during infancy. When the foramen ovale doesn't close, it's called a patent foramen ovale.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/patent-foramen-ovale/symptoms-causes/syc-20353487
Additionally, years ago Tamara was diagnosed with a heart condition called mitral valve prolapse. This occurs when the flaps of the heart's mitral valve bulge (prolapse) like a parachute into the heart's left upper chamber as the heart contracts, which may lead to arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms most commonly occur in the upper chambers of the heart). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mitral-valve-prolapse/symptoms-causes/syc-20355446
At this time, Tamara is still in the hospital but recuperating well. Though she is regaining her faculties quickly, exceeding the doctors expectations, the remainder of her rehabilitation may be lengthy; as she will have to attend physical & speech therapies.
Throughout this traumatic experience, with all the prayers, love and words of encouragement, Robert & Tamara have remained hopeful & optimistic; they are so grateful for everyone’s support. Obviously, during this time neither of them have been working. And, unfortunately, the household responsibilities and upcoming recovery reformations do not stop; taking care of the girls, groceries, cooking, cleaning, meeting with doctors, travel to appintments, hospital expenses, ADA modifications to the home...
We can only imagine the emotional strain that has befallen the family, but we can all relate to financial hardship. Both, Robert & Tamara, are very generous, usually some of the first to help those, especially loved ones, in need. They are very humble and would never ask, even in a situation like this, but if you are inclined to donate any amount or render any services, the family would be profoundly thankful. We continue to ask for prayers of strength, endurance, love & healing...they are all working!! The Weldy-Renfro families are so very fortunate to have such caring, uplifting & loving people in their lives. Thank you all for anything that you can spare.