Adventist Health Bakersfield | You + Us | Summer 2018

5 More on Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia is a chain of more than 600 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, north of Australia and east of the Philippines. A few more facts about this remote country: •   “Micronesia” comes from two Greek words: “micro” (small) and “nesoi” (islands). •   Micronesia’s main islands (states) are Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap. •   Fewer than 105,000 people live on the islands. •   Micronesians are culturally diverse. Eight local languages are recognized, and English is commonly spoken as well. •   Many Micronesians practice subsis- tence farming and fishing—meaning they farm and fish to meet their own basic needs, not for commerce. Having surgery? Count on safety Making surgery as safe as it can be—it’s more than a goal. It’s a promise surgical teams at Adventist Health Bakersfield live every day. They work to prevent complications before, during and after surgery. That goes for every operation, no matter how big or small. It’s a top priority. Among other steps, our teams: Follow strict procedures and rules to avoid errors during surgery Work proactively to reduce possible complications, such as giving treatments to prevent blood clots and infections Closely monitor patients while they recover from surgery “Heart for Healing: Jody’s Road to Recovery.” See healing in action: Watch a video of this story at AHBakersfield.org/Jody . heart problem. She also had a serious issue with her lungs. After extensive testing, doctors discovered Jody had tuberculosis. Her lung infection would need to be addressed before Jody could even be considered for heart surgery. “So not only was she heart sick, her lungs were very sick as well,” says Brittany Hernandez, RN, who, as a former resident of Micronesia, befriended Jody and Dohnis. Jody’s situation was very serious. There were times when she was fighting for her life. “To put it mildly, it was a very complicated and a very complex disease process,” says Alex Pamintuan, administrative director of Cardiac Services at Adventist Health Bakersfield. Still, no one was counting Jody out. “True to the culture of our organization, everyone just started pulling for her,” Pamintuan says. On Valentine’s Day, a special gift It seems fitting that Jody’s long-awaited heart surgery was scheduled on a day of love: Valentine’s Day 2018. A surgical team at Adventist Health Bakersfield replaced two of Jody’s heart valves, which were destroyed by rheumatic fever. “There is no greater gift than the gift of life,” says John Schroer, executive director for MAHI International. A second chance at life is what Adventist Health Bakersfield gave Jody, Schroer says. Everyone involved in her care, and in bringing Jody to Bakersfield, celebrated her successful surgery. Throughout her hospital stay, Jody’s care team also tried to make her feel more at home. One day her new friends even brought a Micronesian-style chicken curry dish. After all that she’d been through, the warm gesture prompted Jody to finally smile and declare: “This is from my island!” A heartfelt homecoming Jody is now back home with her family in beautiful Micronesia, with a healthier—and grateful— heart. Before she left Bakersfield, she sat for a snapshot while holding up a sign that simply read, “Thank you.” Jody has her life ahead of her again. That’s the result of a lot of loving and Sacred Work by people on both sides of the Pacific, and two organizations with an undying passion for international missions. “One of the biggest problems that plagues Micronesia is a lack of hope,” Schroer says. “This selfless act of giving and service that Adventist Health Bakersfield has done will make a tremendous impact throughout the communities of Micronesia.” In Schroer’s view, it’s “inspiring to see that people still today have the heart to just care for those in need.” “That is what we do,” says Adventist Health Bakersfield’s Pamintuan. “That is part of our core culture. It’s what we’re known for.” Jody has been on a long road, in terms of both the distances she has traveled and her winding, touch-and-go health journey. There were times of crisis and moments of uncertainty—but also plenty of love and hope. It’s a reminder that Adventist Health Bakersfield’s Mission is living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope—in Kern County and beyond.