
Hey y’all! We’re off on vacation this week, but we didn’t want to leave you hanging. Whether you’re new here or just in need of an uplifting story that’ll restore your faith in miracles, this one’s for you. We’re replaying one of our most-loved...
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Void where prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply. Hey guys, this is Emily. Holly and I are taking a little vacation right now, but we thought it would be fun to bring back one of our favorite past episodes for our new listeners. It's a story about a woman who was clinically dead for nearly an hour. They were literally preparing her body to take to the morgue. It's incredible. So give it a listen and then make sure you come back next week for a brand new episode that you are going to love. Ruby lost consciousness. And as she was rushed back into the operating room, there with her frantic family gathered around her, the situation spiraled even more out of control. Ruby's breathing had stopped completely. This is the Miracle Files. I'm Emily Jones.
Holly Worthington
And I'm Holly Worthington. We're two sisters who love a captivating true story. But we're also seeking more light in our lives.
Emily Jones
So we're on a mission to find and share unforgettable, uplifting stories of God's miracles. We hope you'll join us on this journey.
Holly Worthington
Let's get into this next episode in all seriousness. It is a really special one.
Ruby Grupera
Yeah.
Emily Jones
This is a story that our sister Julie actually sent us and told us. You've got to do this story. And ever since I've heard it, I just, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It is so cool.
Holly Worthington
Yeah. I cannot wait for our listeners to hear it. And this one is unlike any of our other episodes.
Emily Jones
Let's go. Ruby Grupera's story begins on a day filled with anticipation and excitement. On September 23, 2014, she was scheduled to deliver her second second child, a daughter, via C section. Up until now, Ruby's pregnancy had gone smoothly with only minor bouts of nausea. As she walked into the hospital, Ruby was surrounded by loved ones. Her husband, mother, sister, brother in law, niece and nephew were all there. At first, everything went according to plan. As the medical team prepped her for surgery, Ruby's only concern was a slight stuffiness in her nose. Something easily dismissed as typical during pregnancy. The C section proceeded, and soon Ruby heard the beautiful sound of her daughter's cry. The nurses laid Ruby's daughter on her chest. Ruby felt the exhilaration of seeing her sweet little baby. But at the same time, a shadow of uncertainty crossed her mind. Was it just in her imagination, or was she having a hard time breathing? Her eyelids got heavy and drowsiness overcame her. As the nurses moved Ruby to the recovery room, Ruby's oxygen levels suddenly plummeted to a critical low. What was supposed to be a joyful moment turned to chaos as alarms began blaring. The room that had once been filled with the excitement of new life was now thick with tension and fear. Ruby's family gathered around her. Frantic, Ruby lost consciousness as she was rushed back into the operating room. There, the situation spiraled even more out of control. Ruby's breathing stopped completely, her body shutting down in what was later identified as amniotic fluid embolism, a rare and often fatal complication where amniotic fluid enters the mother's bloodstream. For the next three agonizing hours, with Ruby in respiratory arrest, the medical team fought to keep Ruby alive. Ruby's family sat outside the operating room waiting as the minutes ticked by, with any hope of Ruby surviving slipping further away. The doctor's once determined expressions grew dim. And then Ruby's heart stopped beating. The medical team continued CPR for another 45 excruciating minutes, still desperately trying to revive her. But there was no sign of life. The once thriving woman who had just given birth was now lifeless on the operating table. The lead doctor told Ruby's family they could come into the room to say their final goodbyes and said aloud to everyone in the room, can anyone think of anything we haven't tried? The room fell into a heavy silence as the medical staff continued to perform compressions on Ruby's chest. It was at this moment that Ruby's sister Marilyn stepped forward and told the doctors to stop. Stop all medical intervention. Stop trying to control what was now beyond human hands. She screamed into Ruby's ear. Ruby, remember what you've always told me. When man stops, that's when God begins. The medical staff stopped their efforts and moved back painfully. Solemnly, the doctors declared Ruby dead and left the family in their grief. After a few minutes, the family moved outside of Ruby's hospital room where Marilyn and the rest of Ruby's family knelt to pray. They were torn between pleading for a miracle and praying to accept Ruby's death, they begged God for help in raising her children. In her absence, they clung to each other, exercising faith and mustering strength to face an unknown future, desperately trying to understand how their beloved Ruby could be gone. When man stops, that's when God begins the truth of these words, the power of these words were greater than Ruby's family could have known. Because even in her death, Ruby wasn't gone.
Ruby Grupera
I died, you know, I saw my baby girl. I went in deep sleep. All I remember from there is that I was in like a tunnel light. And it was a tunnel. It was like vast darkness, you know, all around me. I knew my body was flowing. I wasn't walking. It wasn't a body really either. Like that would be unfair to even say it was in the human bodily state. It was very light, but I was moving and I had my conscience. I knew it was me. I had my Ruby conscience of who I am as the human. So like my soul, right? And I also had this period. I was very self aware of what was happening. And as I'm going through there, I see this amazing light, like this spiritual being that has. I don't know how to explain this being of. He's a spirit of light. I don't know if it was an angel. It was Jesus. I don't know that spiritual being. He said, you know, you're going to be here for a while, you know, but you're not going any further because it's not your time. I was so happy. I. In that place, I only felt peace and joy and the knowledge that the creator that created me was in all control. I also felt, and I say this very often, and I feel that I felt very much alive. I felt like I was returning home.
Emily Jones
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Ruby's body lay gray and lifeless. Rigor mortis had set in. Her family continued to huddle in the hallway together, praying and comforting one another. 56 minutes had passed since Ruby's heart had stopped and a nurse began preparing Ruby's body to be taken to the morgue. As she reached to disconnect Ruby from the heart monitor, she was startled by the strangest sound. A single beep. She turned to the other nurse in the room and asked if he had heard the beep as well. The other nurse dismissed it as the heart monitor malfunctioning. But as he moved closer, it began to beep again, slowly at first, then stronger.
Ruby Grupera
And that's when my heart started beeping on its own. And the guy was like, oh, no, no, no, no, that has to be like, a mistake. And when he goes in to think that it was a mistake because he was like, let me just double check. It was beeping. It started beeping on its own.
Emily Jones
The male nurse ran out into the hallway and said excitedly to Ruby's family to keep praying. He told her family that Ruby's heart had started beating again. Ruby's family was in complete, complete shock. Her heart had started beating. Their wife, daughter, sister, and aunt Ruby was alive. Doctors and nurses rushed back into Ruby's hospital room, which was now flooded with frantic energy. Despite Ruby's heart restarting, there was no guarantee that she would truly survive, or even if she did somehow regain consciousness, that she would wake up the same person her family had known. Typically, the brain can only last about five minutes without oxygen before sustaining permanent damage. And Ruby's brain had been deprived for nearly an hour. The odds of her surviving without irreversible brain damage seemed insurmountable. With heavy hearts, the doctors cautioned Ruby's loved ones to brace themselves for the worst. That night, Ruby's family gathered in her hospital room.
Ruby Grupera
Literally, my entire family was somehow in ICU during that time of coma. And during that time, there were doctors in there, and I could hear them. And my body was, like, so effortless. I felt like I had sandbags. I mean, you know, my whole body had gone through death and a rebirth, pretty much.
Emily Jones
Ruby could hear everyone. She tried to kick her legs, but the medical staff just dismissed it as involuntary movements.
Ruby Grupera
And I kept trying. And my sister's like, ruby, if you hear me, like, let me know.
Emily Jones
Mustering all her strength, Ruby managed a weak but determined nod.
Ruby Grupera
And my sister's like, oh, she hears us. I know she's there. I know she hears me. And it didn't take long. Where I opened. I actually opened my eyes and, you know, opened to literally a room full of people crying. And I was thinking, at that moment, I was just thinking I was waking up from the C section. Like, I was. Maybe had dozed off and fell asleep or whatever, but everybody was crying and smiling at the same time. And I was, like, crying and smiling at the same time, but I didn't know why. Like, at that moment, I had no idea. But when I went to speak, I realized I was intubating. And I was like, what's going on?
Emily Jones
Imagine waking up with a tube down your throat, weak, confused, and then being told that you had died. For nearly an hour, Ruby couldn't believe it when she was told this very thing. She asked to see her baby, but Was told she was sleeping. So eventually, Ruby fell back asleep until early the next morning.
Ruby Grupera
And I'm sitting alone. It was like five, six in the morning. I'm waking up and I'm like, I want to see the baby. I'm thinking. I think I wasn't sure. I knew something had happened, but I wasn't sure at that moment. You're like. I'm like, what's going on? And I'm listening to this doctors right outside of icu and I hear one of the particular doctors talking to the other. He's like, I can't believe she's back and she's alive. I mean, I left like it was like a 28 minutes. And she was great. I mean, she had. I can't even believe, like, that she's back. This is amazing. And, you know, they're like talking, and as they're talking, I'm like, oh, my God, that's me. I died.
Emily Jones
The memory of Ruby's experience with the tunnel, bright light and spiritual being, eventually flooded into her mind. She remembered being told it wasn't her time to go. And she knew she'd been sent back for a reason. The next few days were a whirlwind.
Ruby Grupera
It was just insane. I had doctors coming in from. Everybody wanted to meet me, talk to me. It was insane. When I come home, I mean, Dr. Oz, T.D. jakes, it was just like a tool level. I literally stopped answering my phone calls. You know, my nephew worked at that time in Channel 7. And I remember people were trying to reach, you know, reach out to him because they knew he was my nephew. It was like, so crazy.
Emily Jones
Despite having her life thrown into the limelight in the days that followed, Ruby's recovery continued at a pace that astonished everyone. Her survival was miraculous in itself. But what makes her story even more astounding is that she emerged without any lasting effects. Even the doctors who fought so hard to save her admitted that her case defied logic. They acknowledged that what happened was beyond medical explanation. Some openly calling it divine intervention.
Ruby Grupera
There was a journal that came out the head of the doctor, and you can see his quote. He knows it was divine intervention. He literally says, this was clearly divine intervention. And so they all know it.
Emily Jones
Although Ruby recovered quickly, upon returning home, Ruby did find one startling discovery. The first time she showered, it was a stark reminder of how much her body had been through.
Ruby Grupera
I did have what I could like to call cowhide skin. Like, some parts of my body. I remember that my first shower here in my house, I was like, my sister was with me. And I was like, oh, my God, Marilyn, look at this. I was like, touch that. It was hard, like a. Like dead. It was. I was like, oh, my God, Look, I still have dead skin.
Emily Jones
Marilyn comforted her sister and told her that her skin would return to normal. Fortunately, after a few days, Marilyn was right. And Ruby's skin began to soften again. The rest of Ruby's life has returned to normal as well. She is beyond grateful that she has the chance to raise her two precious children.
Ruby Grupera
I won the lottery, you know, maybe not money wise, but I don't want. I want something that money can buy, you know, the beginning of life, of being here for my kids, you know? So, needless to say, I feel extremely blessed.
Emily Jones
Ruby says she also gained some greater understanding about the purpose of life during her near death experience.
Ruby Grupera
It's about grace, about loving ourselves, Knowing that our foundation came and it comes with a purpose. We all have it. There's power within all of us. We all share it. If we could see more of what unites us versus what separates us, we would be so much better. We would have realized how great we could really be, you know, as a people, as humans.
Emily Jones
Ruby's message is both powerful and beautiful. And her story is so much more than just that of a woman who defied medical explanation, who died and came back to life. It's about witnessing a power greater than anything the human mind can comprehend.
Ruby Grupera
Just like my sister said, is when man stops, that's when God begins.
Holly Worthington
Oh, man. That story just kind of leaves me speechless.
Emily Jones
I know. Me too. I mean, she died. She had rigor mortis set in. She. They were preparing her for the morgue. I mean, her experience is just. It's unexplainable. It really is.
Holly Worthington
Other than it being a miracle.
Emily Jones
Yeah, it was an undeniable miracle for sure.
Holly Worthington
She had gone nearly an hour without a heartbeat, but she'd also gone, like, three hours without being able to breathe. I mean, the fact that she had no lasting damage from any of that, it's just incredible.
Emily Jones
So cool. Yeah. So we actually have a couple of quotes that we want to read from the medical staff at the hospital. The first quote is from Dr. Chad Luffy. He was a critical care specialist at the hospital, and he told abc, there was no pulse, no blood pressure. The patient was not breathing on her own. It was indeed something we don't see. I've never seen this happen. The whole family and a big majority of the medical team believe this was at least some kind of divine intervention.
Holly Worthington
Yeah. And the President of the hospital, Dr. Anthony Dardano, was no less amazed. He said, there's very few things in medicine that I've seen working in the trauma center myself and doing all the things that I do that really were either unexplainable or miraculous. He said this to the Sentinel. And when I heard this story, that was the first thing that came to my mind.
Emily Jones
Yeah. And to hear these science minded medical professionals call it miraculous, I mean, it just gives me chills.
Holly Worthington
Yeah. And then on top of that, Ruby's near death experience was so beautiful.
Emily Jones
I know. She explained to us that there's parts of her experience to the other side that she doesn't even remember.
Holly Worthington
Yeah. She says that she knows she's not supposed to remember parts of it.
Emily Jones
Yeah.
Holly Worthington
But one thing most near death survivors often describe is that incredible feeling of love and light and just comfort, peace. Having lost loved ones myself, that really brings me a lot of comfort and peace.
Emily Jones
Yeah, it does for me too. And I bet a lot of people have the question of why did this happen to her if she was going to come back the whole time?
Holly Worthington
Yeah, I thought about that. And I really think, like, with all miracles, it's a way for God to show his power, to show he cares about us. It's a testament to God's love and how good he is. And when we hear of all the horrible, awful, tragic stories in the world and we hear of a lot of bad things happening to good people, and it helps me to know that God is in the details of our lives no matter what.
Emily Jones
Yeah. No matter the outcome, God is still there. God is still good. And this story really hit home for me because I also almost died in childbirth and I also experienced a miracle. Which you did.
Holly Worthington
And it. At some point, you need to share that story yourself with our listeners because it's an amazing story, too.
Emily Jones
Yeah, I definitely will. And I think that's part of the reason we had the idea to make this podcast. We have experienced miracles firsthand in our lives. We have seen how good God is and we talk about how our podcast is a true crime alternative. I mean, there are a lot of horrible things that happen in the world. There are a lot of podcasts about them. But I believe there is so much more good in the world. And we believe that there are more miracles than murders.
Ruby Grupera
Yeah, absolutely.
Holly Worthington
And one thing I know is that God is a source of all light. And no matter how much darkness there is, there is always, always more light.
Emily Jones
Always. I agree. Well, we just want to thank Ruby for sharing her story with us. Thank you to her family for the amazing faith that they showed.
Holly Worthington
Yes, thank you so much and we loved getting to talk to you and getting to know you a little Ruby. And thank you so much for sharing your story. It has sincerely touched our hearts. Thank you for joining us. If you have a miracle to share, contact us@themiraclefiles.com or find us on Facebook.
Emily Jones
We'll post new episodes on the first day of each month. And if you enjoyed this podcast, please share it and leave us a review.
Holly Worthington
Join us next time as we discover more of God's miracles. And don't forget to look for his light in your own lives.
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Podcast Summary: "On the Operating Table: Ruby’s Journey Into the Light | REPLAY"
Podcast Information:
In this poignant episode, Holly and Emily revisit a compelling story of Ruby Grupera, a woman whose near-death experience during childbirth defied medical expectations and underscored the presence of divine intervention. The episode delves deep into Ruby's miraculous survival and the profound impact it had on her and her family.
Ruby's Pregnancy and Anticipation ([02:02] - [07:02])
Ruby Grupera was preparing to deliver her second child via C-section on September 23, 2014. Her pregnancy had been largely uncomplicated, with minor nausea. Surrounded by her supportive family, Ruby felt healthy and optimistic as the medical team proceeded with the surgery. The birth of her daughter was joyous, but a sudden onset of drowsiness and difficulty breathing introduced an unforeseen crisis.
Critical Complications and Near-Death ([07:02] - [09:22])
Ruby's oxygen levels dangerously plummeted, leading to a state where her breathing ceased entirely. The situation escalated rapidly as alarms blared, transforming a moment of joy into one of intense fear. Ruby was rushed back into the operating room in a state of respiratory arrest caused by amniotic fluid embolism—a rare and often fatal complication. For three excruciating hours, medical staff fought desperately to revive her, but ultimately, Ruby's heart stopped beating.
Ruby’s Sister’s Intervention ([09:22] - [10:53])
As Ruby lay lifeless, her sister Marilyn invoked a profound declaration: “Ruby, remember what you've always told me. When man stops, that's when God begins.” This heartfelt plea prompted the medical team to cease their efforts, and Ruby was pronounced dead. The family, engulfed in grief, gathered outside, praying and seeking solace.
Spiritual Encounter ([07:02] - [12:18])
During her clinical death, Ruby describes experiencing a profound spiritual journey. She recounts:
“I saw my baby girl. I went in deep sleep... I was in like a tunnel light. It was a tunnel. It was like vast darkness, you know, all around me... I had my Ruby conscience of who I am as the human. ...he said, 'you're going to be here for a while, but you're not going any further because it's not your time.'”
— Ruby Grupera ([07:02]).
Ruby felt at peace, surrounded by light and a spiritual being she believes to be Jesus. She sensed a higher power at work, assuring her that her time to leave had not yet come.
Unexpected Revival ([08:31] - [13:22])
As Ruby’s family mourned, an unexpected beep from the heart monitor signaled a miraculous turnaround. Nurse interaction revealed Ruby’s heart had started beating again, sending her family into disbelief. Despite the grim prognosis—Ruby had been without oxygen for almost an hour—she began to show signs of life. The medical team was initially cautious, recognizing the slim chances of a full recovery without brain damage.
Ruby Awakens ([11:17] - [12:41])
Ruby, although still weak, becomes aware of her surroundings. She tries to communicate, leading to a weak nod that signifies her awareness. Upon regaining consciousness, she finds herself intubated and surrounded by an emotional room full of medical staff and family members. Ruby realizes she was pronounced dead and experiences confusion mixed with relief as she is told she has survived.
“And my sister's like, ruby, if you hear me, like, let me know.”
— Ruby Grupera ([11:25]).
Doctors Acknowledge the Miracle ([17:47] - [18:45])
Medical professionals involved in Ruby’s case expressed astonishment at her recovery.
Dr. Chad Luffy:
“There was no pulse, no blood pressure. The patient was not breathing on her own. It was indeed something we don't see. I've never seen this happen. The whole family and a big majority of the medical team believe this was at least some kind of divine intervention.”
([17:47]).
Dr. Anthony Dardano, President of the Hospital:
“There are very few things in medicine that I've seen working in the trauma center myself and doing all the things that I do that really were either unexplainable or miraculous.”
([18:21]).
These testimonies reinforce the notion that Ruby’s revival transcended medical understanding, highlighting it as a divine miracle.
Physical and Emotional Healing ([14:07] - [16:14])
Ruby's recovery was swift and without lasting damage, defying medical expectations. An initial sign of her miraculous return was her skin condition post-revival, which initially appeared deteriorated but quickly normalized with her sister Marilyn’s reassurance. Ruby expressed immense gratitude for her second chance at life, emphasizing the blessing of being able to raise her children.
“I won the lottery, you know, maybe not money wise, but I don't want something that money can buy... I feel extremely blessed.”
— Ruby Grupera ([15:52]).
Spiritual Insights ([16:07] - [16:39])
Ruby shares profound insights gained from her near-death experience, focusing on the themes of grace, love, and unity. She believes that understanding our shared human experience can lead to greater compassion and collective strength.
“It's about grace, about loving ourselves, Knowing that our foundation came and it comes with a purpose... If we could see more of what unites us versus what separates us, we would be so much better.”
— Ruby Grupera ([16:14]).
Holly and Emily’s Takeaways ([17:08] - [21:24])
Holly and Emily express deep admiration and emotional resonance with Ruby’s story. They emphasize the importance of faith and the presence of divine light in moments of darkness. The hosts relate Ruby's experience to their own near-death encounters, reinforcing their mission to highlight miracles over tragedies.
Holly Worthington:
“She had gone nearly an hour without a heartbeat, but she'd also gone like three hours without being able to breathe. I mean, the fact that she had no lasting damage from any of that, it's just incredible.”
([17:32]).
Emily Jones:
“We believe that there are more miracles than murders... God is still there. God is still good.”
([20:14]).
Final Thoughts ([21:24] - [21:54])
The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks to Ruby and her family for sharing their inspiring story. Holly and Emily encourage listeners to seek and share their own miracles, fostering a community grounded in faith and hope.
Divine Intervention: Ruby Grupera’s survival after being clinically dead for nearly an hour is presented as a clear instance of divine intervention, surpassing medical explanations.
Near-Death Experience: Ruby's spiritual journey during her near-death experience highlights themes of peace, light, and a higher purpose, reinforcing her faith.
Medical Miracles: Statements from medical professionals involved in Ruby’s case underscore the miraculous nature of her recovery, with some describing it as "divine intervention."
Personal Growth and Gratitude: Ruby's experience led to a deeper understanding of life’s purpose, gratitude for her second chance, and a commitment to raising her children with a renewed sense of purpose and faith.
Hosts’ Perspective: Holly and Emily leverage Ruby’s story to advocate for focusing on uplifting, faith-based narratives, contrasting the often dark themes of typical true crime podcasts.
Ruby Grupera on Her Near-Death Experience ([07:02]):
“I saw my baby girl... I was moving and I had my Ruby conscience of who I am as the human. ...he said, 'you're going to be here for a while, but you're not going any further because it's not your time.'”
Ruby Grupera's Revival ([09:22]):
“And that's when my heart started beeping on its own... It started beeping on its own.”
Dr. Chad Luffy on the Miracle ([17:47]):
“It was indeed something we don't see. I've never seen this happen... The whole family and a big majority of the medical team believe this was at least some kind of divine intervention.”
Ruby Grupera Reflecting on Grace ([16:14]):
“It's about grace, about loving ourselves... If we could see more of what unites us versus what separates us, we would be so much better.”
Holly Worthington on the Miracle ([17:32]):
“She had gone nearly an hour without a heartbeat, but she'd also gone like three hours without being able to breathe... it's just incredible.”
Conclusion
"On the Operating Table: Ruby’s Journey Into the Light" is a testament to the extraordinary power of faith and the possibility of miracles in the face of unimaginable adversity. Through Ruby's harrowing yet inspiring story, Holly and Emily illuminate the profound belief that even in death, hope and divine intervention can prevail, offering listeners a beacon of light amidst life's darkest moments.