Shayai Lucero, a Pueblo floral designer with pre-existing heart conditions, experienced a frightening health crisis while working on a wedding floral arrangement. Her story underscores the difficulties of accessing timely medical care in rural Native American communities and the importance of community support.

A Life Dedicated to Community and Creativity

Shayai Lucero, a member of the Pueblo of Acoma and Pueblo of Laguna tribes in New Mexico, is a successful entrepreneur and award-winning floral designer. For over 16 years, she has run Earth & Sky Floral Designs and Gallery, balancing her business with active involvement in STEM, Native American entrepreneurship, and LGBTQ2S+ advocacy.

Born into the Roadrunner clan, Shayai and her husband, Aaron Fry (Cherokee/Chickasaw), raise their family deeply rooted in Pueblo life.

Sudden Illness and Recognizing the Signs

The evening began with a sudden pain between Shayai’s shoulder blades, accompanied by nausea. Initially, she dismissed these symptoms as a minor strain or low blood sugar. However, a strange taste in her food quickly signaled that something was seriously wrong.

Recognizing a Critical Situation

This triggered a cascade of concerning symptoms – heartburn and jaw pain – prompting an immediate trip to the hospital. Shayai has a history of heart conditions, including supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, and underwent a cardiac ablation in 2000. Her understanding of her body and her heart’s signals immediately alerted her to the severity of the situation.

Challenges of Rural Healthcare Access

The urgency of the situation was compounded by their remote location, far from a hospital and with limited emergency medical services. Shayai and Aaron relied on the strong community bonds of their tribe, leaving their children in the care of Shayai’s parents who live nearby.

During the drive, Shayai’s primary concern wasn’t her own health, but the completion of the wedding floral arrangements and the potential disappointment of the bride.

Swift Response at the Emergency Room

Upon arrival at the ER, Shayai was immediately triaged, receiving aspirin, nitroglycerine, and an EKG. This swift response underscored the seriousness of her condition and marked the beginning of a challenging medical journey.