Sewing into the Hearts of Patients

Former Loma Linda University Medical Center patient, Marilyn Mitchell, 71, has been walking the halls of the same hospital that saved her life 14 years ago to give out hand-sewn heart-shaped pillows to patients who have undergone heart surgery. The Rialto resident recently visited Loma Linda University Medical Center to deliver pillows and meet with patients to lift their spirits. She visited Brian Holliday, who was touched by the compassion and thoughtfulness of thegift. “It is seriously a God-send,” Holliday said. “Really, I am touched because this is the best gift I have received outside of the amazing doctors here at Loma Linda University Health.” It is a sentiment Mitchell knows all too well. Little do patients like Holliday know, but she too was once in their shoes over a decade ago. She had open heart surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center after a heart attack on Christmas Eve in 2003.  Mitchell remembers how scary that time was.  “My family had no idea if I was even okay during the Christmas season until after Christmas,” Mitchell said. “That feeling of loneliness is hard.” In February 2004, Mitchell attended a special program for patients where she met a nurse who told her about the Mended Hearts support group program. Mended Hearts provides hand-made heart shaped pillows and hosts monthly support group meetings to provide education and resources for heart patients and family members who have undergone heart surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center. The heart pillows are more than a beautiful gift, they help patients deal with pain by placing pressure on their chest when they cough or sneeze. After surgery, a patient’s chest is sore from their rib cage being opened up for a heart operation.  After hearing about how she could change someone’s life during a scary time, she wanted to get involved. “The Loma Linda University Medical Center doctors saved my life, so I had to give back,” Mitchell said. “This is my way of letting patients know they are not alone and that thousands of people are going through it and they can too.” Mitchell is now president of the Mended Hearts, Loma Linda Chapter No. 34. She volunteers with her husband twice a week, year-round. Unfortunately, Mitchell feels two days is not enough and is looking for volunteers to help fill in the gaps or volunteer to sew pillows and donate them. Several nurses at Loma Linda University Health have donated hand-sewn pillows, but she said they are always in need of additional pillows.  “There are so many patients that are being missed when we are not here,” Mitchell said. “I do not want anyone to feel alone or missed, and more hands can help us meet every patient’s needs.” If you or someone you know would enjoy sewing into the hearts of others, get involved by contacting Volunteer Services at 909-558-8022.