Her story transcends language, age and expectations. Maria Teresa Gonzalez has lived through so much. For perspective, when she was born in the early 1920s, cars and radios were novelties, and the average life expectancy was in the mid-50s. “The problem with the valve was that I was struggl ing to breathe.” Just last year, Maria Teresa began having trouble breathing and experiencing severe chest pain. Doctors discovered she had a heart condition that put her life at risk. The main valve of her heart was severely narrowed, restricting blood flow. And just two months later, another life-altering diagnosis. Doctors discovered breast cancer. “If she didn’t have her heart valve issues fixed, then even the cancer surgeon wouldn’t have been able to do anything, because they would have considered her too high-risk,” said her doctor, Nish Patel, from Baptist Health Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute. Two surgeries that, at 103 years old, many would have avoided. “I wasn’t afraid,” she told NBC6 South Florida. Maria Teresa leaned on her faith and was inspired by the love of her large family. Her granddaughter-in-law, Shelley, now serves as her caregiver. “She just reminds us what’s important in life,” Shelley Gonzalez said. Although they speak different languages, they understand each other and share a special bond. Jokingly, Maria Teresa told NBC6 they keep a close eye on her, making sure she doesn’t push herself too far. “She’s always trying to move around and stay busy,” Shelley said. “It helps her. She doesn’t eat a lot of processed food.” Now, on the road to recovery, Maria Teresa continues to share her love through Cuban coffee and her cooking, never letting a single day go by without her two cups. With a sharp mind and a grateful heart, she leaves us with a lesson for us all. “There’s a saying in Spanish: Do good and don’t look around expecting anything in return,” she said. Maria Teresa’s key to a long and healthy life: Letting go of stress and placing it in God’s hands. With heart disease still the leading cause of death in the U.S., her story underscores why heart health matters at any age. ...read more read less