Love for Efren
Donation protected
On Tuesday 2/9, Efren had a major heart attack (LAD) due to 100% artery blockage. He was in San Diego visiting with his daughter Sarina. Rebeca, Valentina and Alondra were all at Sarina's house while Efren was working at the church shed. Efren arrived at Sarina's house shortly before 1pm and complained that his chest hurt. He felt clammy and looked pale. Within 5 minutes of arriving to Sarina's house he had a heart attack. Sarina was able to respond quickly and begin administering CPR while her husband called an ambulance. The paramedics arrived within 5 minutes of being called. When they arrived he did not have a pulse and they had to administer 3 shocks to get his heart beating again.
He was taken by ambulance to Scripps La Jolla hospital where they inserted a stent in his heart. He was intubated and sedated. They also placed him in a hypothermic state, cooling his body down to 35 degrees celsius. This was done to help his body recover as well as maintain brain function.
His family (Rebeca, Valentina, Alondra and Sarina) were able to Zoom call him Wednesday morning. He was still intubated and sedated but we were able to talk to him and pray with him. They did a CT scan and his brain function looked normal. Wednesday 2/10 evening the Doctors began the warming process. This would take 12-14 hours to bring his temperature back to normal.
On Thursday 2/11, he was awake! The Doctors were able to remove the breathing tube to allow him to breathe on his own. His family, including his sister Felipa, zoomed him at 9 am. He was slowly opening his eyes and responding to prompts like squeezing the nurses hand and wiggling his toes. At 10:30 am he had progressed enough that we were able to call him again. This time he was more alert and did sign language to communicate. He kept signing "I love you" and "Thank you". At 1:30pm we called again. By this time he was able to talk and even better, make jokes! He recognized his family, and was able to see his grandchildren. He is slowly recovering his memory but did not know how he arrived there. When told that he had a heart attack, he was in shock.
The Doctors are very pleased with his progress. He will be in the ICU for another day or so and then in a recovery room for a few days. Thank you for your prayers and support! God was at work before, during and after the heart attack.
Although Efren has insurance (he got his card Tuesday morning!) we know this will be very expensive. If able to, please donate money for not only his medical bills but also for the recovery expenses. There will be a long road to recovery. We would like to have Efren and family stay in San Diego while he heals so that he is able to go to follow up appointments.
Thank you again for your prayers. We know that God has been performing little miracles throughout this whole process. And even though we cannot visit him we are thankful to be able to see him via Zoom. He knows that he is well loved and thanks everyone for your continued prayers.
P.S. He said don't send flowers :) 'Cause he doesn't plan to be there very long
With God's love,
Rebeca, Valentina and Alondra Montes, and Sarina Warburton and family
He was taken by ambulance to Scripps La Jolla hospital where they inserted a stent in his heart. He was intubated and sedated. They also placed him in a hypothermic state, cooling his body down to 35 degrees celsius. This was done to help his body recover as well as maintain brain function.
His family (Rebeca, Valentina, Alondra and Sarina) were able to Zoom call him Wednesday morning. He was still intubated and sedated but we were able to talk to him and pray with him. They did a CT scan and his brain function looked normal. Wednesday 2/10 evening the Doctors began the warming process. This would take 12-14 hours to bring his temperature back to normal.
On Thursday 2/11, he was awake! The Doctors were able to remove the breathing tube to allow him to breathe on his own. His family, including his sister Felipa, zoomed him at 9 am. He was slowly opening his eyes and responding to prompts like squeezing the nurses hand and wiggling his toes. At 10:30 am he had progressed enough that we were able to call him again. This time he was more alert and did sign language to communicate. He kept signing "I love you" and "Thank you". At 1:30pm we called again. By this time he was able to talk and even better, make jokes! He recognized his family, and was able to see his grandchildren. He is slowly recovering his memory but did not know how he arrived there. When told that he had a heart attack, he was in shock.
The Doctors are very pleased with his progress. He will be in the ICU for another day or so and then in a recovery room for a few days. Thank you for your prayers and support! God was at work before, during and after the heart attack.
Although Efren has insurance (he got his card Tuesday morning!) we know this will be very expensive. If able to, please donate money for not only his medical bills but also for the recovery expenses. There will be a long road to recovery. We would like to have Efren and family stay in San Diego while he heals so that he is able to go to follow up appointments.
Thank you again for your prayers. We know that God has been performing little miracles throughout this whole process. And even though we cannot visit him we are thankful to be able to see him via Zoom. He knows that he is well loved and thanks everyone for your continued prayers.
P.S. He said don't send flowers :) 'Cause he doesn't plan to be there very long
With God's love,
Rebeca, Valentina and Alondra Montes, and Sarina Warburton and family
Organizer and beneficiary
Sarina Warburton
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Efren Lopez
Beneficiary