Augusta, Ga. (August 7, 2025) – Jacqueline had always been full of life.
As a proud retiree, her days were filled with joy, surrounded by her grandchildren, giving back to her church community, and line dancing every Thursday night with her close friends.
But one day, that energy disappeared.
Jacqueline started feeling exhausted, short of breath, and just not herself. After a hospital visit, doctors diagnosed her with a severe issue in her heart: her mitral valve was failing and needed to be replaced. It was a serious diagnosis, especially for someone with a complex medical history. Years earlier, Jacqueline had undergone a kidney transplant, which meant her care team had to be extremely cautious, every medication and every step of treatment had to be closely managed. Piedmont Augusta Cardiothoracic surgeon Tim Hunter MD, assured Jacqueline and her family that she was in great hands, explained the process and what recovery would look like.
As Jacqueline prepared for mitral valve replacement surgery, her daughter Natarsha supported her throughout the process, often suppressing emotions to be strong for her mother. Natarsha, a mother herself, also juggled being a parent, Full time employee and entrepreneur. She expressed that sometimes she wasn’t able to be in two places at once, but the nurses kept her in the loop, explained things clearly, and reassured her that her mother was receiving the best care.
Alongside the clinical care, Jacqueline found deep comfort in the hospital’s Chaplain, who visited her room regularly, offering prayer and words of encouragement.
“It meant the world to me,” Jacqueline says. “They helped calm my spirit. I was scared—but the prayer, the quiet support, and just knowing someone was there for my soul—it gave me peace.”
Following her successful mitral valve replacement, Jacqueline began physical therapy—slowly at first, but with determination. Her doctors encouraged her to keep pushing, and her therapists helped her rebuild her strength.
“At first I wasn’t sure I could do it,” she says. “But the more I moved, the more confident I became. Every session made me feel stronger—not just physically, but mentally too.”
Recovery hasn’t been easy, and Mary knows she still has a journey ahead—she is walking daily and hopes to get back to line dancing soon.
“I listen to my body now,” she says. “And I tell everyone I love: take care of yourself. Make healthy choices. And if something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait—get help.”
Her strength and recovery have deeply moved her family. For Natarsha, this experience reshaped how she views life—and giving.
“Life is meant to be shared,” Natasha says. “If you can help a family, please do. My family’s life is forever changed because of the support, love, and care we received from Piedmont Augusta Hospital.”
True to its mission – Piedmont makes a positive different in every life they touch.