Young teacher from Honduras

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Young teacher from Honduras receives life-saving heart surgery at Providence

Karen Diaz with Dr. Jeff Young

Earlier this year, it was learned that a young teacher in Honduras was dying from a hole in her heart. Knowing that such a defect is correctable with surgery, a network of local healthcare professionals came together in a unified effort to help save the life of a young woman whom they had never met.

To look at Karen Diaz, one might think she was a student, rather than a teacher. The tiny, dark-haired beauty teaches 44 third-graders in her hometown of Catacamas, Honduras. On January 6, 2004, through the caring generosity of strangers, Karen began a journey to Providence Health Center in Waco to receive a heart operation that would change her life forever.

In Honduras, 23-year-old Karen had led a fairly normal life. After her mother died eight years ago, Karen still lived with her father, sisters, and extended family—17 in all, in one house. She studied to become a teacher, and loved spending her days surrounded by her students. Karen had dreams of getting married one day and having children of her own—until about three years ago when everything changed.

Karen began to experience shortness of breath. She visited the local clinic where doctors discovered a congenital atrial septal defect—a hole in Karen’s heart that had been there since birth. While the doctors were capable of performing the surgery to repair Karen’s heart, they lacked the necessary equipment to do post-operative care. They told Karen that she would die without the operation. Knowing that her chances of surviving surgery in Honduras were grim at best, Karen prepared herself for what was to come—she gave up her dreams of marriage and a future, and resigned herself to die.

Family practice physicians Dr. Monte Horne and his wife, Dr. Rosa Horne, enjoy living in the small Central Texas town of Hamilton. They share a thriving medical practice, a growing family, and a deep commitment to medical mission work through their church. On such a mission trip last summer, the Hornes spent two weeks working alongside doctors in Honduras where they learned the plight of the young schoolteacher with a life-threatening heart defect and no money. Having been born in Honduras herself, Dr. Rosa Horne understood what this meant for Karen Diaz.

Upon their return to Texas, the Hornes spoke with friend and Waco cardiologist, Dr. Charles Shoultz, Jr. about the possibility of bringing Karen to Waco for heart surgery at no cost. Dr. Shoultz approached Sister Cecile Matushek, Vice President of Mission Affairs at Providence, about the possibility of helping to bring Karen to Waco for surgery. Sister Matushek took the news to Annette Ayers, Vice President of Patient Services at Providence, and plans began to take shape. In a flurry of phone calls and visits, word quickly spread of the young woman in Honduras, and offers of help began to pour in. Waco cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Jeff Young agreed to perform Karen’s surgery pro bono, and Dr. Rodney Brown with Waco Cardiology Associates offered to assist. His ability to speak Spanish would certainly be beneficial, as Karen speaks no English.

In addition to the surgical team, Annette Ayers also praised the efforts of Waco Cardiology Associates; Dr. Nelson DeStaffany, anesthesiology; Dr. Raphael Perez, pulmonary; Dr. James Olmsted, radiology; and Dr. Doug Michaels, pathology, for their generous contributions to this charitable campaign. With Providence covering all hospital expenses, Kim Hamilton, Director of Clinical Business at Providence, contacted medical supply manufacturers including Cobe, Edwards LifeSciences, Medline, and Boston Scientific Endovascular who donated surgical supplies for Karen.

After a long process of paperwork and governmental red tape with the Embassy in Honduras, Dr. Horne and his wife were able to secure a Visa for Karen, whom they met for the first time at Christmas. With help from their church to pay travel expenses, the Hornes brought Karen to the United States on January 6. It was the first time Karen had ever flown in an airplane. They opened their Hamilton home to Karen so they could care for her following the heart operation at Providence. There she experienced her first bath in a real bathtub, and loved the feel of carpeting under her bare feet. “It was such an exciting experience for me,” said Karen as Dr. Rosa Horne translated. “I was receiving a double blessing—to see how people live in the United States, and to get my heart fixed.”

Karen’s surgery was performed at Providence Health Center on January 30. “My whole staff just fell in love with her,” said Jerry Weaver, manager of the Cath Lab at Providence. From radiology and the lab, to recovery and ICU, nurses, doctors, and staff were overwhelmed by this remarkable young woman with the sweet smile. Annette Ayers called Karen with good luck wishes on the day of her surgery. “Before she went in,” Annette shares, “Karen said through her interpreter, ‘Even if I don’t make it, it has all been worth it for me.’” “Of course, I told her she was going to be fine,” said Annette tearfully. Everything did go according to plan, and Karen’s heart was totally restored.

“With yearly checkups by her cardiologist in Honduras, Karen should be able to live a full, healthy life,” says cardiac surgeon Dr. Jeff Young who performed her operation.

Karen was released from Providence on February 3, two days before her 23rd birthday. The Hornes took her to their home in Hamilton where she won over the hearts of their two children and members of the Church of Christ in Hamilton. “They brought Karen flowers and balloons for her birthday,” said Dr. Rosa Horne. “She cried because she had never had balloons or flowers before.”

Perhaps one of the greatest gifts Karen received while recuperating was delivered on February 14, Valentine’s Day. Karen saw her very first snowfall. “She called it a present from God,” shared Dr. Rosa Horne. “Her chest was hurting so much, but she still insisted on making a snow angel,” she added.

Before Karen left on March 3 to return home to Honduras, she spoke of her love for everyone who had helped her to come to Waco and receive her operation. In a tearful exchange, with Dr. Rosa Horne interpreting, Karen spoke from the heart. “I am so thankful for all the love and care I’ve received from people who don’t even know me. Now I can make plans again. I can look forward to the future and dreams of getting married and having children someday. I will miss everyone very much. You will always be with me—here, in my mended heart.”

And you in ours, Karen.