It Was Like A Scene From House MD

I was told I would be clinically dead for several hours while they operated on my heart. I was willing to die for a few hours if it would give me back my life. Dr. Avenilo Aventura said I would be induced to a deep hypothermia.

I thought of my 3 year old daughter at home and my beloved son whom I have not seen. I looked at my friends and whispered a prayer. God has been good. Dr Aventura with the kindness of his heart supported me all the way with the rest of the doctors.

Here is the story as told by Dr. Aventura from the Jan - Feb 2010 issue of the Medical Observer.

I was the first Asian patient to survive such and operation.

A Process Called Leukopharesis

Hi, I am Ma. Isabel with a precious heart. I am a single parent with two wonderful children. My daughter lives with me and she is my inspiration. My son is with his father and I dream of when I will see him again.

Tomorrow I will be doing something I never dreamed will happen to me. I will be going to my doctor's office for the first time for a process they call leukopharesis. This is a blood test that will determine my suitability for stem cell treatment. My precious heart has 4th stage cancer.

They say that love is in the heart and true enough, love is in my heart. That is why I want to save my heart for my children's sake.

Come share this journey with me and if you can, pray for me as we travel together.