Jose—who is known by “Jimmy” to his friends and family—first came to our clinic in February 2011 complaining of difficulty breathing, headaches, and heart palpitations. After a series of tests, we diagnosed him with a severe condition called coarctation of the aorta. In addition, he had significant damage to his heart valves.
Because he has Mexican Social Insurance, we had hoped that the government hospital would undertake the needed surgery to repair his heart. After more than a year of hospital visits and exams confirming the diagnosis, the Mexican healthcare system has still failed to provide Jimmy with the urgent care that he needs. We were told personally by his Mexican cardiologist that his only chance was for a US hospital to perform the critical surgery.
When we realized the severity of his case, and that the General Hospital in Tijuana was not equipped to help, we sought care in the US for Jimmy, petitioning Southern Californian hospitals to take on his case and save his life. We were rejected again and again, and told that the surgery was very complicated, had a high risk of failure and was exorbitantly expensive.
Things became more complicated when Jimmy recently received a call from the General Hospital in Tijuana saying they would finally perform a procedure this week. I consulted with cardiothoracic surgeons at top-notch hospitals in the US who had reviewed his case and knew the details. Each one independently strongly advised against the procedure in Tijuana, explaining it was incorrect and could damage future chances of a full repair of his heart. A few doctors bluntly told me that proceeding with the planned procedure would likely kill him.
Yet, how could I tell Jimmy and his family to reject what his Mexican cardiologist was suggesting—especially with no other options?
Just a few days before the scheduled procedure, I received a call from Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach… they were willing to take Jimmy’s case and provide him with life-saving surgery at no cost! Yet Jimmy and his family were a bit worried… what about a visa? What about the costs of travel to the US? Where would they stay? We were able to tell them not to worry about money—Siloé Ministries will cover everything. A network of Presbyterian Churches in Orange County has agreed to find housing for Jimmy and his family during their stay in the U.S.
Additionally, they were concerned that the General Hospital would not be pleased that Jimmy was rejecting their plan and seeking care abroad. It is not uncommon for one’s insurance to be taken away as ‘punishment’ when doctors’ advice isn’t followed. The day that Jimmy was to be admitted, they called the hospital and were told there were no beds available and he would have to wait! Later in the week, he met again with his cardiologist, who encouraged him to seek care in the US and accept the wonderful gift that Hoag Hospital has offered!
Please pray as we are in the process of applying for an emergency medical visa for Jimmy. We are also applying for his wife, so she might accompany him to California. We need to get him to the US as soon as possible as his condition continues to deteriorate.
Jimmy has a wife and three young children. Since his diagnosis, he has been unable to work (he worked for years as a waiter at a local restaurant), relying on the altruism of friends and family for bills, food and necessities. Prior to his illness the family of five was surviving on a monthly salary of about $150 plus whatever tips he made.
While the costs of Jimmy’s surgery and housing will be covered, we will need to use our ministry funds to pay for visas, travel, and incidentals during his stay in California. If you would like to donate specifically toward Jimmy’s surgery or make a gift to their family, please mark your donation “Jimmy”.
Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated!
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