One Extra Year Of Life … And Counting

As some of my close friends know, on December 17th, almost one year ago, I began having a slight bit of pain in my chest, which I believed to be heartburn. The pain increased; so did my stubbornness and I refused the cries from my youngest daughter Danielle and insisted it was heartburn. At one point that morning I was forced to lay on the couch, holding my chest, yelling in pain, because the yelling seem to make me feel better. Danielle just cried in her room fearing the worst.

I know what you’re all thinking … but wait; I’m even more of an idiot, and I’ll prove it.

My buddy Jon Brant happen to call me that same morning and I felt faint and told him I had to hang up because I had some chest pain.  The next thing I knew, as I laid down to rest for a minute; my daughter was handing me the phone, it was Jon’s wife Claire, asking me to please take some aspirins. I did, but did not call the doctor, because after it was heartburn.

I took four aspirins along with some Tums, and began to feel better, so I shoveled about 8 inches of snow off the driveway and sidewalks, and drove to a meeting.

I know, I know, don’t say it … because it gets even worse.

The same thing goes on for 4-more days! … 3 more real bad “heartburn” episodes, another 13 inches of new fallen snow shoveled away, plus, ½ of bottle of Tums and aspirins taken.

On December 23rd I woke with the pain increasing in my chest, arm beginning to tingle, back hurting and worry beginning to take over. I felt my pulse, and it was barely there and that’s when I realized that 100% of everyone I had talked to was right, and I was wrong … it was my heart. But being the hard-headed Italian I can be, I decided that I would run to the store real quick and get everything I needed for the lasagna that I promised to make for Christmas Dinner for my family … 85 for dinner with the Cantafio’s. I couldn’t disappoint them, could I?

I get to the store, and the pain gripped me once again, this time, knowing that it was probably my heart it seemed to feel worse. Holding on to the deli counter I said, “20 pounds of ricotta cheese please.”

The man asked, “Are you OK?”

I said, “Yes, just a little chest pain.”

On to the meat counter … pain rises up yet again, I grip my chest again and I say, “15 pounds of hot Italian sausage please.”

This goes on throughout the store. If you can believe this, I finally get home, my mother is there to help with the lasagna, but I can hardly move. I asked my mom to sit and wait a little while, and let me take a short nap.

As I am lying in bed, the pain is now grueling – I look at the photos of my beautiful daughters and granddaughter and I become a bit angry with myself.

I realize, I am dying, and I am in denial.

The Palatine Rural Fire Department is called by my sister Liz; they test me and determine I am having a heart attack at that very moment. Amy (a paramedic and now friend) and her crew rushed me to the hospital, despite my stubbornness, and without going into more detail, I lived … obviously.

POINT: What I learned ~ Odds are, if a chest pain lasts more than 10-minutes, it IS a heart attack … second; Let a paramedic tell you its heartburn; 83% of people with my symptoms DIE! I had 6 heart attacks and healed perfectly. That, in itself is a miracle.  I still workout, but watch my diet a bit more and I feel awesome, almost giddy sometimes, that I won this 1st battle with the Grim Reaper.

Why did I live? Well, my doctor speculates that because I did cardio exercise 30 – 45 minutes per day, 5 days a week before this episode in my life, my heart was in good enough shape to keep pounding and fend off stupidity, even though two artery’s were blocked. My heart was fine, it was my arteries.

WHAT’S NEXT: I hope this doesn’t come off as bragging, because it’s not. This is what you can do if you are given a second chance at life; and if a stubborn Italian like me can do this, anyone can.

With the help of some very creative and talented graphic artists (Veterans to boot) we launched US Freedom Gear … an idea I had 5-years ago, but never moved on it. After I almost died, I am trying to complete every single task I set as a goal years ago. $1.00 from the sale of those shirts goes to Heroes at Home, helping Veterans and their families. Those shirts are now available at selected Kmart stores and in the spring, our graphics show up in “lounge pants” and “jams.”

I walked my daughter Laura down the isle; I can’t imagine what that day would have been like for her without me there. Thank you dear God for making my sister Liz finally call 911.

I celebrated my beautiful Granddaughter’s 1st birthday. She would have never known me, and now she runs into my arms every time I see her yelling “Poppa, Poppa.”

I met Paul Brian, we recorded a dream come true Christmas CD titled, “Soldiers Christmas Project,”  which supports the Wounded Warrior Project … but hell, just meeting Paul was a big enough treat! Over this past year Paul Brian and my dear friend Mike Saubert have become as close as brothers to me and I can't imagine never knowing them.

I got to finally keep my promise to my cousin Joey and produce the very first “American Hero Music Festival” in my cousin Ryan’s hometown of Beaver Dam, WI. Next year, we will produce the 2nd annual event on September 11th 2010. Paul Brian will broadcast his WLS Morning show from Beaver Dam … more Gold Star Families are coming and their Heroes will now be honored with Ryan and Kirk, and my friends, Georgette and Roy Frank, Gold Star Parents who started The Heart of a Marine Foundation will be there as well. The City fathers have promised thousands this year and are even throwing us a city parade to begin the event. I have spent some quality time with family and alone at my cousin-Ryan’s grave in Beaver Dam. I will always be grateful for the extra years I have been given and always be sad that this young man died, paying the ultimate price for my freedom.

I have been able to perform more shows at VA Hospitals across America and even on a few more Military Bases.

Can you believe I produced a few of the most successful events for the United States Marine Corps ~ Marine Week Chicago? It’s true, they gave me the opportunity and I gladly responded. They even honored me as the “Guest of Honor” at one event, a very tearful honor for me indeed.

I also had a childhood dream come true, I got to perform in the auditorium at my alma mater, Oak Park and River Forest High School with the school choir and orchestra. I’ve always wanted to do that, even as a student, but because I lived, it happened. We donated the money back to the school and to a scholarship named for my late friend and coach, Gary Olson whose out come from his heart attack didn’t end so happy for his family ten years ago. In May this past year, I got to see my photo being placed on the “Wall of Fame” at OPRFHS, something I never thought would ever happen to me.

I hooked up with the Wounded Warriors at the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois and I champion their cause as an entertainer. Miss Illinois Erin O’Conner and rocker and lifesaver-Claire Brant’s husband, Jon Brant, have performed with me for these outstanding Americans. I have promised to be there for them as long as they’ll have me.

Our First Tuesday Networking Group has really taken off. Jobs, Scholarships and Medical and Mental Health issues have been solved for the Troops and Veterans through this awesome group. We’d love you to join us on the 1st Tuesday of every month at the Penny Road Pub in South Barrington, IL -5:30 PM.

Our National Veterans Museum Project is moving closer to a reality, but so is our UFO exhibit which really caught us off guard. Funding has already begun and this is gonna take America and actually the world by storm, traveling across 5 continents.

I lived to become a very important member of the committee for the Illinois Warrior Summit, to be held at UIC on April 24, 2010, Education, Employment and Entertainment, the Three E’s as we call it are the focus of this event, we hope to employ 5,000 Veterans that day!

In March I am finally going help my dear friend and Gold Star Dad, Kirk Morris raise funds for the Iraqi Afghan Memorial. We are producing a huge event at the Lake Country fair Grounds and hope to bring Kirk’s project $25,000 to $50,000.

I watched Flowers for Heroes be born and begin to grow into a national force, helping Gold Star families.

I was honored by USO Illinois with a “Certificate of Appreciation” for the work I do as a solo artist and with my awesome band, The 101st Rock Division on US bases in Illinois.

Lt. Col John Box, US Army, and the Chicago Recruiting Battalion honored me with the “Outstanding Achievement and Service Award” for my work promoting American Soldiers through Forgotten Heroes Foundation, US Freedom Gear, the Soldiers Christmas Project, CD, and for entertaining the Troops with the 101st Rock Division.

Soon you’ll see a TV Special that we (Joe Cantafio & the 101st Rock Division) were picked to debut on called, “The Midnight Stage.” I’ve seen a few rough clips of the show and it looks and sounds great! It will air in about 70 television markets soon.

I've met thousands of Troops and helped some with their education, employment or just listened as a voice at the end of the phone, giving them a place to vent.

This all happened this past year because I lived.

Again, if your chest hurts for more than 10-minutes, CALL 911. If you’re lucky enough to live, who knows what great things you’ll accomplish!

... after the doctor wheeled my out of the operating room, my daughters were all standing crying in the hall. They asked if I was gonna be alright and my doctor said "Yes, he's gonna be fine!"

They all started laughing through their tears and I yelled, "Merry Christmas Mr. Potter!" Danielle looked at me, and instead of saying "I'm gonna kill you Dad,"  she hugged me and kissed and then they all hugged and kissed me, and I'll never forget that happy moment for the rest of my life.

It truly is a Wonderful Life!