Sunday, October 31, 2010

Oh Canada

If you are on Facebook, you may know Alberto had a heart attack in the Calgary airport on our way to teach a tango workshop. He was put into a paralytic induced coma, had his blood cooled to protect his brain, has been rewarmed and he's off the ventilators, and breathing tube, is talking, but not walking.

Alberto is not all there - sort of like dealing with a mild case of Alzheimer's. He is like a sweet newborn baby.

He needed to have an angio gram today, and he refused! He only wanted Dr. Bhansali his New Orleans doctor.

Finally we got Bhansali on the phone with Alberto to tell him to do it. You know the patient has to be awake and cooperate. So Alberto agreed, but with his memory lapses, it was tough getting him there, because it took the hospital six hours to have a slot. I had to be there with him during the angio.

There is a blockage of course. But too close to one of the valves in the artery (left side) for a stent. They are proposing open heart surgery. Nothing will happen until Monday, when a group of heart specialists look at the angio results.

He cannot travel until his mental state is better, and he can walk. He is talking, eating, but is sometimes very difficult emotionally. He just wants to come home, and really doesn't understand that he is in the hospital. I play him tango music to soothe his troubled mind.

Medivac has been mentioned. But how. It is so expensive. If anyone has any connections in this area, please share your information with me.

We could use a good fund raiser.

Dancers in New Orleans, and people from all over the world are contributing to our Paypal account:

boutique@planet-tango.com

For now the blog must be on the back burner. Please pray for Alberto and me.

51 comments:

Sharon in Chicago said...

Oh Valorie! May all the thoughts and prayers coming your and Albert's way bring you strength.

Anonymous said...

Valorie- I pray for Alberto's quick and complete recovery and for strength for you. You will be on our church's prayer chain. Love too you both-
Dana

Hill House Ramblings said...

Dear Valorie, I am so very sorry to hear this. I will keep you both in my prayers!

H.H.

Anonymous said...

This is terrible news Valerie and our hearts go out to you and Alberto. We will keep you both in our thoughts and prayers for restored health, a guardian angel and financial help.

Hello Lover... said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Alberto. Praying for a speedy and full recovery and praying for lots of strength for the both of you to pull through this.

h. m. settoon said...

we'll be praying for you both.

Karena said...

Valorie thinking of you and Alberto often, Prayers are with you.

Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

The Gimlet Eye said...

So many prayers for you and Alberto. You will be in my constant thoughts!!

AppleTree said...

My thoughts and orayers are with you.

Beadboard UpCountry said...

Oh God Valorie!!!!!
We will send something........Don't worry, I have some connections in Nola.....I will try........Our prayers are with Alberto.... He will Tango again!!!!!!!!!Maryanne and Peter....Just let us know how we can contribute to your paypal account....

Beadboard UpCountry said...

Oh and I have some in Canada too!!!!!!

Rebecca said...

Keeping you in my thoughts. xoxo

Beadboard UpCountry said...

OOPS!!!I was so shocked I didn't get the paypal acct...........Sorry xoxoxoxoxo

Bonnie said...

I am so sorry to hear this news; you and Alberto will be in my prayers.

Reggie Darling said...

My heartfelt wishes for a speedy and thorough recovery. Our prayers are with you. Reggie

Unknown said...

Valorie,
You and Alberto are in my thoughts and prayers.
BarbaraG

24 Corners said...

Oh I have tears...prayers of healing, comfort and every other possible need you both have right now are on their way to you. I'm so sorry...hoping you can come home soon. Hang in there.
Hugs,
Jessica

Cyn said...

V,

All my prayers are for you and Alberto. I hope you are holding up, and, considering the circumstances, can be the strong woman that we all admire.

Best,
CSS

Unknown said...

Oh, Valorie. I just saw this...I had not heard about Alberto. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Elizabeth

Linda in AZ * said...

* Am sooo saddened & surprised at this awful news, Val... I know Alberto has kept himself in shape (as have you) thru "le Tango", so it's very shocking.

Prayer group adding you to the list, & am sending all my very best prayers & good wishes to you both!

Warmest,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Dears Alberto and Valorie: You are both in my prayers and thoughts. I send love and hope. Mo

Tenia said...

Keeping you both in my prayers.

Julie Neill Designs said...

Valorie, I am so sorry to hear about Alberto and will be praying for you both. Take care and we will all be glad when you are both back in New Orleans.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

dear valorie,

i hope alberto is making progress and is more comfortable in all ways.

this is hard for you, but if you can, keep writing if not blogging. it can help to focus your thoughts and calm you while all this stuff is going on around you and through you.

we're all as much with you as we can be from miles away.

with love and hope,

michael

michael/bagelbrookefarm

jlonit said...

Valorie - chin up. The first few days are always the worst. The good thing is that Alberto is probably fit and mobile from tango-ing which will make his recovery easier.

Also, I'm pretty sure that Canada has a similar Medicare system to what we have in Australia i.e it's free isn't it? Maybe best for you guys to stay there and receive free/inexpensive treatment. When healthcare is free (paid by taxpayers from income tax) everyone gets equal treatment.

I'll be thinking of you both every day. Don't feel alone because all your bloggers are with you. Think of this Winston Churchill quote: "When you are going through hell - keep going!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the previous poster has your best interest in mind; however just because it's free doesn't make it better. We have heard enough evidence to indicate the contrary. I am hoping that Alberto can return to NO where his own doctor can supervise his care and long term recovery from surgery and where Valerie can be among friends who will be there to support her. Why do Canadians come to the US for surgical procedures if their system is so outstanding?

Pigtown*Design said...

thinking of you both!

xo

French Basketeer.com said...

My thoughts & prayers are with you; my Mom is from Calgary; I hope you can find a way to come home.

Anonymous said...

Best of luck to Alberto and you, dear Valorie.

-Jodi

Sabina said...

We are praying for you and Alberto, Valorie.
Much love, Sabina and Joe

anita said...

thinking of you during this trying time! i'll post on my blog about your paypal.

Unknown said...

I am so sorry to hear this news Val.
Please know that you and Alberto are close to my heart.
Keep Alberto and the entire staff in Calgary on their toes~
pve

Sarah said...

Sorry to hear your news Valorie, I do hope all goes well. Please remember to also take care of yourself through this difficult time too. Thinking of you and Alberto xx

Carla said...

HI Valorie, my deepest thoughts go out to you and Alberto. I hope you are managing ok and that he will be well soon. Much love and hugs Carla xx

Stitchfork said...

Thoughts and prayers being sent your way...Cathy

Anonymous said...

Hello dear ones. I've been away, but Mo alerted me to what has happened. Please know you have my prayers, Alberto and Valorie. Love, Carey

Anonymous said...

If anyone commenting here is a blogger and friend of Valerie, could you please post an update on Alberto either in this comment section or direct us to your blog.

Thank you.

Dumbwit Tellher said...

I'm trying in my small way to get the word out of your need for help. You know that Alberto, you and the whole family are in my prayers each day.

A huge hug to you dear Valorie xo xo

pve design said...

my thoughts are with you Val-
Please hug Alberto - from all of us.
It does take two to tango!
pve

vicki archer said...

Dearest Valorie,
You and Alberto are in my thoughts and I do sincerely hope that he recovers very quickly. Much love and look after you, xxv

Velvet and Linen said...

Dear Valorie,

We wish we were there with you and Alberto to let you know that you aren't going through this alone.
Steve and I are praying for you both.
Life is not for the weak, that's for sure. Please let us know what we can do.

xo
Brooke and Steve

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Valorie...I just found this...I am soooo sorry. I am praying hard for Alberto and for you, sweet friend!
Susan

Anonymous said...

I just heard about this at Decor to Adore and I'm so sorry. My heart goes out to you both.

SHERRY HART said...

I am so sorry that life has hit you so hard right now. I know the blogging community is pulling for Alberto to come through this.

jay said...

GO ALBERTO! Valerie I admire and am inspired by your humility in reaching out for help. I hope everyone pitches in what they can to make this flight happen! Heal Alberto, heal!

The Glam Lamb said...

im sending all my prayers for you, and heading over to the paypal link to help. I'll also do a post on my blog to see if i have readers who could help.

Nita Stacy said...

So heartbroken to hear this. I'm thinking of the both of you and hoping you can get home soon. Praying for you both.

1 Funky Woman said...

So sorry to hear about Albert. My prayers are with you at this difficult time.

I am a new follower and I enjoy your blog very much.

Megan

Tanya said...

I heard about you through MFAMB. I am so sorry for your tragedy. I will donate through paypal. My MIL is really knowledgable about treating/reversing heart disease. Feel free to email me if you'd like to get in touch and talk to her. She would be more than happy to help out.

Lauren said...

Valorie, I'm so so sorry to hear about Alberto. We're praying for you both & sending love your way.
-lauren

off to paypal

Barbara P said...

Valerie~You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers!! I will speak to my husband tonight and I am sure we shall send some funds to aid in the medivac effort. Please know that you are in Gods hands!