Joseph Girandola

Current Age: 35

 Occupation: Sculptor

  When you found out about your condition: January 21, 2003

 What symptoms you had: A sudden pain to the chest

 How you prepared for surgery: No preparation

 What type of surgery you had: Aortic Valve Replacement- Aortic Kevlar Graft

 Medications before surgery: None

 Medications after surgery: Coumadin/Metoprolol/Diovan

 Type of valve you have: St. Jude Mechanical

 Type of valve you had: My own.

 Hospital where your surgery was done: Heart Hospital, Albuquerque, NM

 Your experience there: Fantastic! Life-Saving!

 Your first few days home: Tough. To say the least…

 Your recovery since then: Steady. No Looking back.

(details will be most helpful to others)

 How you found out about this site: Friends and Cardiologist at UCLA

 Any other comments you can share: Here’s the story…

 

January 28th, 2003

 

 

A week ago I was jogging (then a six-month habit) just about in the best shape of my life, when I felt as if someone had jabbed me with the end on of a baseball bat. I slowed to a walk and contemplated sitting down...perhaps just a cramp. No, I thought, I'm going to go back to the Art Institute- see if this pain subsides. I walked slowly into the director of the art institute's office and asked her if she could drive me to the hospital. I had noticed in the mirror I had turned grey and my eyes were filling with blood. Arriving to the hospital in Santa Fe took less than 5 minutes. Into the CAT scan to reveal a blown aortic valve and ruptured aorta. Not much time to mess around. Helicoptered to Albuquerque and in surgery for 6 hours. Kevlar mesh around the aorta, titanium and plastic replacement valve to be in place forever (I hope). Less than a week and a lifetime has passed remembering the best of times with friends and the importance of life and living it. This heart ailment that afflicts me, struck down my Uncle Joe, my father's brother, young in his life. An up and coming Italian American radio personality, Uncle Joe's passing shocked his community and tore apart his family.  The technology and marvels of medicine did not yet exist to save Uncle Giuseppe. He died a month before I began my struggle in life, and thus I was named for him. I am anxious and excited to continue this struggle for the best in life- this being with friends and family. I thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers and wish you all the best in seeking out the wonders of life. In the fifteen minutes the doctors stopped my heart I thought about all of the amazing individuals I have met in life and did not want to throw in the towel just yet... a journey can now continue...I hope to see you along the way.  Prenda il toro dai corni...ed viva la Vita!