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» “A New Chance at Life”
“I DIDNT kNOw wHAT IT wAS” A NEw CHANCE AT LIfE
“I felt nauseous. I felt weak and dizzy. But I didn’t have chest pain.” Joe Woodall, a man in his 30’s, faintly suspected a heart attack based on family history, but didn’t want to think it could be happening to him, and so just took some aspirin, and told himself it would pass.
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“I’m stubborn. I’ve had bad experiences in hospitals in the past.” When he finally told his wife, he was still reluctant see a doctor, though he was weak, coughing blood and barely able to breathe.
Fortunately for him, his wife is Vivian Woodall, Executive Assistant to the CEO at Sonoma Valley Hospital, and she immediately called Dr. Jared Hubbell, Director of the Emergency Department who urged her to get him into the ER right away, and offered to call him personally, if that would help.
Joe made it in just time.
The ER doctors found the problem, started emergency treatment and admitted him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). “It was the best care I’ve had out of any hospital I’ve been to, and I’ve been to a few. I felt like I was listened to. I felt like I could ask questions without people feeling like I was annoying them. Everybody took time out to make sure everything was answered.”
Vivian praised the staff, too. “Everybody was wonderful,” says Vivian. “ They were so kind, so caring, so helpful.”
For Joe, it was a life-changing experience. He’s now working with cardiologist Dr. James Price to build up his heart health, and he’s learned not to wait when there’s a problem.
“Dr. Hubbell told me, ‘The next time if something like this happens, don’t wait. We have really excellent treatments for this condition, and medicine that can save your life.’”
“It’s like a new beginning,” says Vivian. “A new chance at life.”
Opposite: Vivian and Joe Woodall
