Impact of Giving: Three Remarkable Patient Stories

“We Care” is not just a phrase for us; it is the essence of our existence. Every day, we strive to ensure that our patients, our healthcare team, our donors, our volunteers, and our community can witness the impact of our efforts. Henry Mayo is built on philanthropy and as we walk its halls, we see evidence of our donors’ generosity everywhere. Because of the giving spirit we have the ability to provide a variety of specialty care to our patients.

We would like to share the incredible stories of three patients whose lives have been profoundly impacted by the exceptional care and services made possible through the contributions made to Henry Mayo Hospital Foundation.

Stanton Rutledge’s Remarkable Recovery

In August of 2022 Santa Clarita resident Stanton Rutledge underwent valve replacement surgery at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. “I’d been dealing with A-fib (Atrial Fibrillation) for about ten years. My cardiologist Shahe Garabedian MD, recommended valve replacement surgery last summer,” Stanton said.

While hospitalized at Henry Mayo Stanton was told about Henry Mayo’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it,” Stanton said. But he started the program in November.

“After about the tenth session I started feeling really good, and by Christmas I felt so much better,” he said. “It’s made a total change in my life. I haven’t felt this good in years.”

Stanton says there’s more to cardiac rehabilitation than the exercise routine. “They also provide you with a lot of good information about heart health,” he said.

“The staff there is awesome,” Stanton said. “They treat every patient like they are the most important person there. “

Stanton is now back out on the golf course. Moreover, the actor, who appeared in the first Fast and Furious movie, in Pleasantville, and several other films, is now back in front of the camera.

“I’m back to doing things I enjoy doing,” he said. “I’ll be working in three movies this coming year.”

Lourdes Ramirez’s Triumph Over Lung Cancer

Some years ago a nodule was discovered on one of Lourdes Ramirez’s lungs. Since then, she’s had annual CT scans to monitor her lungs. During what she thought was just another CT scan, the nodule showed signs of growth. That’s when she was referred to Henry Mayo physician Mostafa Tabassomi, MD, for a bronchoscopy and underwent surgery.

“I was strongly encouraged to have it done but I was nervous,” Lourdes said, “but everyone was very thorough with explaining the steps of the process.”

After her surgery, Lourdes’ pathology results came back and she was diagnosed with stage one adenocarcinoma lung cancer, the most common form of lung cancer in non-smoking patients. Fortunately, she wasn’t required to undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Lourdes was able to recover quickly from her surgery, return to work caring for patient at Henry Mayo, and have what she calls a “totally normal life.” She continued to have follow-up appointments for monitoring.

“Having any stage of cancer is scary,” Lourdes said. “But I’m glad I followed the doctor’s advice and got the biopsy. Keeping up with screenings can be challenging but they are crucial for maintaining good health.”

Elsa Martinez’s Resilience and Recovery

Elsa Martinez started the New Year with high hopes and celebrations, but soon something was wrong. “I had chest pain and was having a hard time breathing. Something just felt off,” she said. Once first responders transported Elsa to Henry Mayo, that’s when she learned she tested positive for COVID-19 and had a stroke. She was admitted to the hospital shortly after with an inflamed heart, and suffered from a heart attack the next day. “I never had any prior medical issues, I thought it was so odd I was being affected by COVID so severely,” Elsa said. “Everything was a blur, and I ended up in a coma for five weeks.” While Elsa was in a coma, the Henry Mayo medical team worked tirelessly to save her while advising her family that her recovery could not be guaranteed. Eventually, Elsa woke up and started breathing on her own.

After spending the next few weeks in the hospital’s intensive care unit, then the direct observation unit, Elsa was moved to Henry Mayo’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit, where her journey to recovery would start. “It was such an emotional time. I has no muscle, I lost 23 pounds, wasn’t able to eat or drink on my own, I just has no strength,” Elsa said. “I felt so grumpy. I was a person who was more than capable of taking care of myself, and suddenly I wasn’t able to even feed myself.” Despite her “grumpiness,” Elsa said the nurses in the ARU continued to work with her, and eventually got her to sit up, then stand up, and finally walk after three weeks on physical therapy. “They were so patient with me. They always kept coming in to check on me and support me in spite of me

wanting to be left alone,” she said. “After a while I thought that I had to try. These people were here to help me. Every day they made me feel safe and cared for.”

Elsa said the main points of her physical therapy sessions focused on her legs, back, and arms, since these are the areas she lost the most muscle mass. And after three weeks, Elsa was able to return home while continuing outpatient therapy sessions. Now, Elsa is back to walking on her own without the use of a cane or walker. “Everyone in the ARU was so patient and wonderful to me. They taught me how to do everything again in the easiest way possible. They’re so knowledgeable and know how to work your brain to get coordinated again. Now I finally have all my strength back.”

These remarkable patient stories are just a glimpse of the countless lives touched and transformed through some of the hospitals programs. With the generous support of donors like you, our programs go above and beyond traditional medical treatment, providing education, support, and personalized care to our patients, ensuring their physical and emotional well-being.

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