English Joe - Acknowledgements

In Recognition of all who were there for Joe and all of us - It’s difficult to know were to begin, so I thought, start at Stanford and work back from that point.

Stanford

Professor Bobby Robbins MD, one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met. From the moment he saved Joe’s life and implanted the LVAD, the recovery began and he gave us all complete confidence. The outcome would always be good.
The Code Blue response team, life savers. Professor Phil Oyer MD, performed the transplant with his elite team, also developed the LVAD the machine that kept Joe alive whilst waiting for the donor heart. Harry Melandi MD, & Judy RN transplant team with us all the way. Patrick Ramos and all the highly skilled dedicated nurses in North ICU. Marieke Trevor, Jean Lee, Sandra and all the wonderful nurses on ward D3. Julie Shinn & team, instructed & entrusted us with the LVAD so Joe could walk around Stanford to get strong again before the transplant. Christine Hartley transplant coordinator & Rodney Plante our case manager, great people who looked after us all. Melissa Rees, John “the ipod guy” and all in the Cath Angio Lab “Joe scared us all that day”. Professor John S Schroeder MD, and all of the team on D1. The Defib crew; Paul J Wang MD, Nick Larter MD, Michael X Pham MD and Professor Randall H Vagelous MD. The Post Transplant Team; Professor Sharon A Hunt MD, Sean “the Canadian”, Professor Hannah H Valentine MD, Molly Kuzman RN, Pat Gamberg RN, Joan Millar RN, Only a phone call away even now.
The Stanford support network Judie Sutton, Fiorenza “Fio” Lukas, Judy Kaufman, Lori Furusho, Andrea Smith, Charlene Agles, Pauline Regner, CCS and MediCal, Susan Hernandez of the Home Apartments, Angela Jones British Consular, cared for Joe and mum Alison when I had flown back to the UK. Wayne Rainey took time to be with us, supported and encouraged Joe. Wayne is a top guy and 3 time world 500cc motorcycle champion. “Greeny” Kevan Green & Dr Simon Watkin, close friends that gave their total support.

The Dominican / Santa Cruz

Jim Glancy MD, Cardiologist and all the nursing team, Rob Quinn MD, good friend a very cool guy and surfer who worked endlessly with the UK insurance to get Joe transferred to Stanford. Val Trainer MD, (Bill & Val) good friends who worked & researched with Rob to make Stanford happen. Rod & Kelly Caborn our close friends and Joe’s American Family who took care off us all and gave support in every way possible. Scott & Christy Watkins, true friends and always around. Bob & Lisa Ludlow, loosing was never an option with Bob on our side, awesome guy. Sarah, a close friend of Joe’s from Cabrillo. Nicci a little Angel always there day and night, Franz & Renee Vaiarello total support. The Aptos Beach Dogs, Joes rugby team and close friends always there and keeping it all funny, Crazy Jeff, Misky, Skip, Larry, Tifaga, Kiwi Craig, Eric, Alex & Nick, nothing was to much trouble for these guys including the fantastic fundraiser Hosted at Michaels on Main. Tucker & Brandy Sandon, and all of the SMP. Marshall, Brendon Gilliam, Rod “fundraising king” and everyone involved at Crossfit Santa Cruz with the superb fundraiser held the day we got the news that a donor heart had been found for Joe. Doug Beshore and Sir Froggys. Sally Larter at Cabrillo College. Lartin and the KSBW Channel 8 crew, the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Debbie & Judy at Comerica Bank and Kevin Clarke in Atlanta.

Lowestoft our hometown

Grandad Ray Waters “Pop’s”, Steve Sayer & Hass Sanyari, who worked endlessly, organized and coordinated the fundraising along with Joes’s school and college friends.
Robin Douse, Andy Fawcett, Roger Rouse, Chris Edwards my boss and the entire workforce at SLP. Penny and Ivan Ellis, Stuart Williams, Paula Sheldon, Rhea Cooley, Wendy Beckam, Mark Oakes (MS Oakes), Yvonne & Simon “Titsy”. Kirkley FC, Mick Chapman & Lowestoft Town FC. Keith Nelson and everyone at Lowestoft and Yarmouth RUFC. Louise Kennard and The Lowestoft Journal. Our close friends Ray and Sue Head, and everyone in and around Lowestoft, who gave Joe so much support.