The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines courage as “the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” This word certainly applies to lifelong Pleasantville resident Yvette Ferrao Smyth. Last year, Smyth went through a serious medical condition. But with courage, faith and a sense of humor, she has come out the other side and wants to help bring awareness to others. When talking to Smyth, her sense of joy for life and her gratitude really shine through.
“Pleasantville is my hometown – I formally lived on Lake Shore Drive, in the first house ever built on that street.” Smyth’s late husband inherited the home from his paternal aunt, and they loved living in that neighborhood. Smyth has always loved gardening – everything from vegetables, flowers, herbs and berries, and her neighbors proclaimed hers the best garden on the street. But on a few occasions last Spring, she had a fall in her garden. “I thought, maybe I’m doing too much but there came a point I couldn’t go up the stairs in my house.” She started eating better but her health wasn’t improving, and things were getting worse with Smyth taking to sleeping downstairs and losing the ability to cook and other simple tasks.
“On May 30, 2025, I couldn’t get out of bed. The young couple next door suggested I go to the hospital,” said Smyth. A few days prior, she had noticed a golf ball-sized bump on her right thigh, which she assumed was merely a bruise. “I had the courage to think positive, I didn’t want to give up, thinking surely this will pass.” But Smyth was admitted to Northern Westchester Hospital for what would be a series of procedures to save her life.
She was first diagnosed with a hematoma – essentially internal bleeding and immediately had surgery. Smyth also needed a blood transfusion as well as a mesh inserted into her thigh. In addition, there were other issues to be dealt with. Smyth was also diagnosed with a parathyroid issue and had a transsphenoidal surgery to remove a benign tumor that was pushing her pituitary gland. She also required a right frontal VP shunt insertion. ”I had just gotten out of the ICU and then had to go back in.” She credits Dr. Danilo Otavio De Araujo Sliva, Director of Neurosurgery, with saving her life. “I met with him and immediately took a liking to him. He is my hero. He said, ‘there are always risks in surgery, but you’ll be alright’ and I trusted him.” All of Smyth’s children had flown in to be with her after her first surgery but at some point, had to go home to their families. “I was petrified and alone, but I had courage – faith and prayers. I said, I am going to make it through this, and I did.”
Smyth’s faith and courage through adversity helped her get through a very tough time in her life. “Am I going to be OK? I’ve always been so vibrant, going out and about in Pleasantville. I’m not going to give up. I promised myself I would be the same person again.” After her surgeries, Smyth was taken to Phelps Memorial Hospital for physical therapy, though she was still having trouble walking when she returned home in June 2025. After turning 74 in August, she was still not feeling 100% and decided to put her house up for sale. Relocating to an apartment in the center of Pleasantville has been the right move for her. “I live right above Chase Bank, and I think to myself – I’m sitting upon other people’s millions,” she says with a smile.
She can now walk and jog and calls it a miracle. “I had the courage and faith to go through this recovery. A positive attitude, faith and prayers help. With God’s help you can make it through and things work out.” And as for her longtime status in Pleasantville Smyth says, “I feel blessed and fortunate to be in Pleasantville, I couldn’t ask for a better place to live. You grow where you’re planted.”
