Retired college recruiter Pauline Andersen volunteers at Natividad now that her heart works better. Pauline knew she had AFib — also known as atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an abnormal and often very fast heartbeat — when she started seeing Natividad’s Chief of Cardiology, Dr. M. Kerala Serio. She’d been taking blood pressure medications for years and had a family history of high blood pressure.

After a month of monitoring, it became clear to Dr. Serio that Pauline’s heart rate would slow in the evenings to the point she could faint. Last March, Pauline received a pacemaker, which she credits with saving her life.

Pauline admits she felt a lot of nervousness going into the surgery.

“Dr. Serio was very concerned about me and my heart,” Pauline said.

“Mr. and Mrs. Andersen are extremely nice people,” Dr. Serio said. “Pauline received the standard care she needed for her medical condition. She is extremely gracious and I believe gives us more credit than we deserve. I am very pleased that she has done well. I am also thrilled that she is now volunteering at Natividad. Always smiling with positive energy, she is an excellent model for other volunteers.”

Pauline recalls how clean the operating room was and that it smelled good. “When I came out of the surgery, the nurse asked if I was hungry and got me pancakes and eggs,” she said. “It was like having a concierge.”

“I felt really well taken care of at Natividad. My community group prayed for me, and I felt at peace that God was there,” Pauline said. “God provided everything I needed to keep me comfortable, including having my husband by my side.”

Today, Pauline is eating better and walking more, and her high blood pressure has improved. She volunteers at Natividad on Fridays and plans to help other patients facing surgery like hers.

To learn more about volunteering at Natividad, visit us at natividad.com/volunteer