Frank's Photos

Rob Scilingo  That is awesome Frank. So glad that you re healing well and getting out. I go in less than 3 weeks now. The countdown is on. Lot's of test over the next three weeks.

Susan Lynn  Incredible! Frank - you're inspiring everyone in the waiting room and those in recovery. Continued success!

Tom McDonald  Frank,
I'm glad recovery is going well for you so far. One day at a time! Each day you will start to feel a little bit better and stronger. Keep pushing forward, even if your having a bad day! All the best to you.

Frank DeGrazia  Thanks All! Yes I have been blessed so far. If nothing else, it makes you appreciate what mot people take for granted. The human body is an amazing machine.

Joshua,
No I have been threatened by my Cardiologist, to not even thinking about getting on my road bike for the balance of the Summer. I've been satisfied with watching the Tour de France daily.

Erik Jensen  Very inspiring, Frank! I've got my surgery next week and hearing success stories like yours definitely helps tamp down the anxiety of what's to come.

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome job Frank! It is awesome to know that we are fixed and moving on with life. Not having the worry or danger hanging over our heads!!

Tim Saint   Congratulations Frank & Mike on your strong recoveries. May you continue to inspire those of us sharing your journey. 💪👍

Frank DeGrazia  Day #7 Went for a walk on the beach last night with my wife. It felt good . By the time we were done it was a full mile Yeah Baby!!

Joey Hardee  Wow Frank. That's awesome. I am walking in 7 minute increments inside my house. Been getting in a mile and a half to 2 miles for the day. I'm not sure I could walk a mile at one time yet. Can't really walk outside unless I do it early in the AM. Its been 95 and humid here. I'll take the AC for now. Happy for you, Frank! You are doing great!!

Herb Greenberg  Frank, I'm 67, in the waiting room and in good shape, but nowhere near as in the kind of shape a swimming coach would be in. Very impressed to see a member of the 60+ club's recovery go as swimmingly as yours appears to be! Thanks for the updates!

Frank DeGrazia  Thanks Herb for the kind words
Tracy: Definitely Will do !
Adam: Thanks for the words , and this awesome site!

Barbara Wood  Congrats on going home...you look rested & healthy, like you just spent a week at the spa! Best healing wishes Frank:)

Susan Lynn  No one would believe you just had heart surgery! I agree with Barbara - you look fantastic. Continued success with your recovery!

Joey Hardee  Exactly my pattern, Frank, except I had a popsicle and a few sips of ginger ale before my walk LOL. I also wasn’t confident enough to take a picture but I can gaurantee I didn’t look THIS good! Way to go Frank! You’ll be home soon! Continuing to pray for a rapid recovery.

Susan Lynn  Frank - Best of luck, today! We'll be here sending you positive thoughts and prayers! You've got this! ❤

Frank DeGrazia  Final day before the procedure. Final checklists in place. . . I think. Last minute details, but other than that in good shape. Fitbit all set for tracking daily challenges. One of my Intermediate Goals is to be back on the bike for abbreviated rides by the end of August.

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Frank praying for a great and successful surgery. They won’t let me ride for the 12 full weeks so I am looking forward to starting in August again. Hope for a smooth and quick recovery

Rose Madura  Best wishes for a successful surgery and recovery. Regarding bicycling...I got on too soon and fell off the bike because my legs did not have the strength. But, you are more healthy going into it than I was. Just be patient and let yourself heal.

Frank DeGrazia  WHEN IT ALL STARTED December 28th 2013
Thought I had 3 symptoms of a potential heart attack after a Sat morning swim Practice. Spoke to a Cardiologist Swim Parent (Dr Chong Park). He said "Go to the Pool coach , I'll meet you in 3 mins". He drove me 45 mins to his hospital at the time in Queens. Well after an ECHO and a Catherization No Heart Attack. But one "oversized" Ascending Aorta and a Bicuspid Aortic Valve. He drove me back to the pool at 4:00PM so that I could still attend an ex-swimmers wedding that night!
All that, and to find out that he and his wife were hosting a birthday party for their twins 11th birthday that afternoon, and he blew it off to tend to my 'False Alarm' ! He has been my 'Yoda' guiding light , ever since

Oh Yeah the picture is a self portrait of my booties. No phone service in the hospital,1 1/2 hours after the whole ordeal started, thinking "My wife has no idea where I am at. She's not gonna be happy"

Rob Sparling  Do-able. May not be advisable, but do-able. You May have to change your style, too. Go slow and hedge your bets, Frank because you will get — and NEED — the time and space to heal. I took six weeks off knowing I would be ready sooner and was back in action pretty quickly. But manage expectations and keep your private and quiet time in reserve for yourself. 👍

Carlos Banuelos  Good luck, Frank. Hope you are able to get back soon. I too am hoping to be back to work 4 weeks postop. I also want to get back to surfing and playing sports as quickly as possible. Not looking forward to the process but hopefully we will eventually come out stronger than how we went in....

Naomi Gray  Frank, I think it's great that you have a goal and look forward to the near future. But I realized that it's also important to understand that my plan A might end up with plan B or plan Z. Going through OHS and recovery really taught me to be more patient and openminded. Wishing you the best.

Joey Hardee  Aggressive goal, Frank, but I have read and seen folks do similar things. I echo what Rob said. Give yourself the time and come back early if you can. I am taking 9 weeks off and hoping to be back a little early.

Marie Myers  Sometimes the slow way is really the fastest way... See how things go, listen to your body, take it one day at a time.

Mike Roskowinski  Frank it is nice to have goals and milestones set. Just don’t push yourself too hard to achieve them. Take it slow and easy to make sure you don’t do something to be back in the hospital and make recovery longer. You will do great in surgery and in recovery soon

Frank DeGrazia  To Marie, Naomi, and Rob
Reading your Journals just makes me realize , comparatively speaking , I have NO clue! I may surely have to eat my words. I can seriously say that your journal entries, thoughts, and advice have given me a great deal of inspiration which has only strengthened my positive outlook on the whole procedure. Thank You All!