“Everyone at GBGH was absolutely amazing and so comforting. They saved my life and got me to the regional cardiac centre for the specialized care I needed.”
~ Frank Vatalaro
I didn’t think I was having a heart attack.
I didn’t have any of the classic symptoms. The shortness of breath. The sweating. Tingling. Numbness or swelling. I just thought I had indigestion.
Until I went to bed and woke up an hour later, with this horrible tightness in my chest.
It felt like someone had put a noose around my chest and back and was tightening it. Or like someone was squeezing me in a bear hug and wouldn’t let go. It was really painful and it was getting worse.
My wife Jennifer rushed me to GBGH right away, and within minutes, Dr. Marty McNamara and the team worked together to stabilize me, run blood tests and administer medication.
I was so scared when Dr. McNamara told me I was having a massive heart attack and that I had gotten there just in the nick of time.
It was the height of COVID and they weren’t letting anyone in. But they did a great job of making me comfortable, stabilizing me and calling my wife to keep her informed of what was going on.
Everyone at GBGH was absolutely amazing and so comforting. They saved my life in the moment and got me to the regional cardiac centre for the specialized care I needed.
That’s why I’m so grateful for our small-town hospital. Our community is very lucky to have it.
In a critical situation like mine, every second counts. Our hospital is the first point of access for urgent care and it is a precious resource that we need to preserve and support.
That’s why my wife Jennifer and I decided to give back through the Business Cares program. We ran a special promotion for GBGH at the café we own in Midland, called Rooted Café, where we donated a portion of sales to the Foundation.
Our community’s support makes the life-saving care that I received possible, and for that I am profoundly grateful.
~ Frank Vatalaro