Our Legendary and Loved Dave San Jose is Recovering Beautifully!

Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for Dave San Jose. He is truly a remarkable person and he has touched so many lives, including mine in an extremely special way. He has contributed so much in the capacity of mentoring and advocating for our youth that his influence transcends generations! He has made such profound difference in so many lives. Therefore when he had his cardiac arrest, it was definitely a hard reality to accept. His wife Pat said it best, “he was at the right place at the right time” meaning he received the best medical treatment at Long Beach Memorial Hospital.

Now that Dave is home recovering and doing so much better, it was incredible to hear from him his account of what happened and his thankfulness to Dr. Stuart Finkelstein for saving his life. On August 4, Dave San Jose was playing racquetball, his second favorite activity after the Bikes 90800 Program when he went into cardiac arrest at the gym. He was not playing the sport when it happened. Dr. Finkelstein, a racquetball friend, came over to say hi when Dave collapsed. The doctor immediately began CPR on Dave and this was the life saving moment! Dave joked with me yesterday ”not to try this at home without being prepared.” Dave definitely had angels on his shoulder because not only was his dear friend  there, but another doctor and nurse at the gym were also able to assist.  He went into cardiac arrest and they defibrillated (shocked) him at the club. Fortunately for Dave once at the hospital he met all the criteria for the “Hypothermia Protocol” initiated to preserve his neurological function. He tells me he couldn’t be more thankful for a second chance in life. He could have had brain damage, but he says, “He only has the brain damage he was born with” because he remembers everything and most importantly everyone he loves so much in his life. He continued to talk about how fortunate he is as well as grateful to his dear friend Dr. Finkelstein and his “A Team” at LB Memorial Hospital for caring for him with all the latest medical technology available.

He says that when his friend Dr. Finkelstein recently visited him he told Dave he was grateful as well as surprised to see his dear friend alive. What Dave went through was a miracle! So Dave, in his usual fashion joked he would never beat the doctor again in racquetball and he would never deliver one of his ”dink shots” to him (A dink shot is when the ball hits perfectly in the corner). Dave says he and the doctor laughed over this and then cried and hugged! Again, this truly is a miracle for Dave and I for one am just as grateful to Dr. Finkelstein!

In my visits with Dave whether in person or on the phone, one thing is for sure, Dave is back! Also, important to mention, he has had another person in his life who truly championed his recovery and progress,  his wife Pat Long San Jose. She happens to be a nurse at LB Memorial and her specialty is heart failure. She was amazing to watch in action in taking care of him and educating all of us on how this type of treatment works. I distinctly remember on one of my first calls she was the one consoling me. She kept the faith the entire time Dave was in the hospital and I admired her courage and expertise in action.

By the way, Dave is certainly happy to take calls and have visitors! He already went to visit his racquetball friends plus the firefighters and paramedics who responded to his needs. He wants everyone to know he is  doing great.  Both Dave and Pat along with his children want to thank everyone for their prayers. They have since learned how many religious groups were praying for his recovery.  His family knows that Dave’s recovery is truly a modern miracle and these prayers demonstrate the truth in the power of prayer.

Dave is  scheduled for bypass surgery on September 27 with Dr. Bethancourt at Long Beach Memorial. Please continue your positive thoughts and prayers for him especially on this day. As I told Dave, “I think we only have Rock Stars of heart surgeons at Long Beach Memorial.