Planet Tango’s Alberto Paz suffers Heart Attack Upon Arrival at Calgary Airport

Alberto Paz received 14 days of highly specialized, emergency, critical, cardiac care that not only saved his life, but most extra-ordinarily, he suffered no neurological, mental or physical damage!  Which countries would extend such health care to someone who had no coverage?   

Referrals to this site allow you to assist Valorie and Alberto pay for the emergency services that saved his life.  Your generous donation can be made directly to:  Alberto Paz Account c/o Calgary Foothills Hospital, a wonderful gift of support to your dear friend. 



----- Original Message -----

From: Valorie Hart

To: Sandra Miller

Sent: Friday, October 29, 2010 4:34 PM

Subject: ...

.. in order to not confuse and distress, him further we are keeping visitors to just the there of us.
Thanking you again for everything. I am getting sick and I am so tired. Glad to have the kids here to shore me up.
xo xo

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----- Original Message -----

From: Valorie Hart

To: Sandra Miller

Sent: Monday, November 01, 2010 11:58 PM

Subject: Re: Epicurean Tango Society October 31st Evening Update & Monday November 1st Update for Planet Tango's Alberto Paz

Sandra,
Forgive me for not calling. I am so worn out. I am losing my voice. I read your long wonderful FB post with the latest update. I am amazed how you got everyone's name from that night....
AND I was informed today that Canada will be sending me a bill, probably around $200K when all is said and done....WTF a bill is just a piece of paper....So I am fund raising as much as I can ... it will only cost me $8K a day on the ward, instead of the $14K per day it is costing now. ... This team of doctors here is very aggressive, they are ninjas ...
I am so very tired.
xo xo
Visit The Vamp!

http://visualvamp.blogspot.com/2010/10/oh-canada.html

http://visualvamp.blogspot.com/2010/11/sleeping-in-our-own-bed.html

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Tuesday night at 9:30 pm we were excitedly awaiting the arrival of Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart to launch Epicurean Tango Society's – Argentine Tango Intensivo 10 Days of Total Tango Immersion beginning on Wednesday October 27^th, 2010 … Planet Tango's first time in Calgary!

Since February 2010, Alberto and I developed a wonderful friendship, emailing and speaking weekly about Tango, culture, traditions, music, teaching, history, knowledge, experience, lexicon and the kind of Tango content that was enjoyable and educational to elevate fundamental Tango Technique Excellence. A teaser was sent on September 21^st and this was publicized on Monday September 27^th, 2010:

Argentine Tango 10 day Intensivo Mini Residency with Master Tango Instructors
Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart
2009 USA Salon Tango Champions
Best Selling Authors of "Gotta Tango" book & DVD
Bibliographers of Planet-Tango.com
October 27th to November 5th, 2010

From that date forward, regularly advertised and promoted on dozens of International, North American, Canadian, Regional and local Tango, entertainment, media and dance sites, plus thousands of people via my distribution and many others who kindly shared the Tango Magic Spirit, espoused by Planet Tango.

In front of the airport arrivals, there was a major commotion of multiple emergency response vehicles; we wouldn't understand the magnitude of this scene for another 40 minutes, as our life and priorities would dramatically change in the next 36 hours.

As we waited, I noticed a woman passing by held up by two Continental Agents, when I suddenly realized it was Valorie; I called to her – with a glazed and disoriented look – almost blind like, she turned around and the most chilling words tumbled out of her mouth, "Alberto collapsed, he had a heart attack at the Customs entrance …" the rest seemed to move in fast and slow motion at once, as I tried to process this shocking news and understand what was going on. The day before, Alberto received a clean bill of health from his Doctor.



I know God was and is, watching over him, as this didn't happen during the flight, upon descent, deplaning or even the very long lonely walk from the gate to Customs … a sign.


They came off the ramp to line up for Customs, when he advised Valorie he felt faint – she turned around only to see him collapse, yelling out "heart attack, call the Doctor immediately". From Airline Staff, Customs Agents and Airport Paramedics – their quick action of CPR, followed by multiple defibrillation most certainly saved his life, as he was revived 7 times before a stable pulse was found … a sign.


This is why I have come to adore and love Alberto – only he could make such a grand, first entrance into Calgary, Alberta Canada, in the MOST PUBLIC and POPULATED place anywhere for IMMEDIATE emergency attention … Airport Customs … a sign.


As we followed the ambulance to Peter Lougheed Hospital, I pulled out my phone to call our dear friends Akram and Jen to let them know what occurred. My phone showed 1:42 am … what?? Did we really spend almost 5 hours at the airport? This was bizarre … couldn't have … then I saw the number 7 which is a spiritual number … this message told me, either God called Alberto home, or it was to let me know all would be ok. Upon disconnecting the call my phone returned to regular time 10:23 pm, but never registered the call … a sign.



It is EXCEPTIONAL for Emergency staff to be "waiting " for your arrival – at two hospitals!! No one else was there and ALL the staff were completely focused on him … a sign.


At Peter Lougheed Hospital, they cooled and stabilized Alberto, then immediately transferred him to Foothills Hospital where they induced a coma for 24 hours to reduce his body temperature and protect his brain from possible neurological damage.  At 12:30 am today, they began the warming process which would take 6 to 9 hours or longer to prevent shock to his organs. He is stable and has the best care by top cardiologists. We are blessed to know 2 doctors – a fellow and resident who are close by … a sign.



Alberto's daughter arrived last evening from Huntington Beach, CA and his son is arriving tonight from Denver. As the news gets out, friends and students from around the world, called, texted, emailed with prayers and many generous offers … our dear friends and tango community have stepped up quickly offering unconditional support to us and accommodation to those who are wanting to travel to be here with Alberto and Valorie … we are truly blessed … a sign.

Since Friday, I have received an overwhelming number of calls and emails about the Argentine Tango Intensivo with Alberto and Valorie. With everything upside down, on Wednesday and no sleep, I went from call to messages waiting , nonstop all day, afternoon and evening, advising callers what happened and the postponement, while trying to create an action plan of to do with sensitivity, grace and consideration. I tried my best to manage this unwieldy mercurial load; please accept my apologies if I missed you , emailed you twice and bear with me, as I try to cover all bases under these circumstances.

Our deepest, appreciation and heartfelt thank you to Akram and Jennifer for your steadfast care, love, support, friendship and stepping in to set up an Epicurean Tango Open at Carpenter's Hall to welcome those arriving for the "Dance Tango Tonight Workshop #1". We offered a complimentary evening of Tango, tea, juice, cookies and videos of Alberto and Valorie dancing, as well as sale of "Gotta Tango" books and DVD, which will be autographed. A small offering in light of the disappointment and tragic news with hopeful wishes. I'm sorry I missed taking a photo of the beautiful set up to show what a wonderful ambience they created to welcome everyone.

We will host 2 events this weekend:

Milonga on Saturday, October 31^st, 2010 at Scarboro Hall .

Argentine Tango Intensivo

Join us for Tango & Prayers for Alberto Paz

Saturday October 30th, 2010

Scarboro Hall: 1727—14 Avenue SW

7 pm to 1 am,

$25 Tapas, Tango & Valorie Hart

Tango Passion: Valorie Hart, Master Teacher

2009 US Salon Tango Champions

Best selling authors of "GOTTA TANGO" book & DVD – for sale and will be autographed

Founders of "Planet-Tango.com", all things Tango!

Cards for Alberto will be present for all to sign.

PLEASE RSVP, we anticipate a strong attendance

C: 403 540 2525 e: EpicureanTangoSociety@gmail

Valorie wants to meet everyone in our warm and welcoming tango community who have overwhelmed us with support! She exudes Intensivo Tango Passion, respect of culture, appreciation of tradition and most all, eliminates the urban myths about tango. You will love this amazingly, spunky, vibrant, courageous woman, who is a Master Tango Instructor, classically trained Ballerina and professional DJ! "Gotta Tango" Books & DVD will be for sale, she will autograph these, as well as all of those who purchased the book from our sold out earlier shipments.

Film Screening and Tango Sunday October 31^st, at Scarboro Hall

Argentine Tango Intensivo

Planet Tango's Special Feature Screening: El Ultimo Bandoneon

Sunday October 31st, 2010

Scarboro Hall: 1727—14 Avenue SW

Drop in 7 pm to 11 pm +

$15 for Film, Tango, Tea, Juice and Chat with

Special Guest: Valorie Hart, Master Teacher

Alberto Paz & Valorie Hart

2009 US Salon Tango Champions

Best selling authors of "GOTTA TANGO" book & DVD

Founders of "Planet-Tango.com", all things Tango!

The Argentine Tango Intensivo with Alberto and Valorie has been temporarily postponed. We expect they will be with us in Calgary for a while and will keep you updated. We are forwarding all your notes to be read to Alberto - thank you and keep them coming!

We are asking for everyone to post on this message on their site so we have the largest "friends" reach to collectively send out our powerful prayers and good wishes for Alberto's full and fast recovery to Tango on with his wife, Valorie Hart for many more years of Tango, love, health, prosperity and passion.

Thank you for your interest and support of Argentine Tango Intensivo 10 Days of Total Tango Immersion with Planet Tango's Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart.

We treasure Alberto and Valorie's presence and know we will forever be connected in life and our Tango journey from this time forward, which was felt from the first hello.

Sandra Miller

Founder,

Epicurean Tango Society

C: 403 540 2525,

E: EpicureanTangoSociety@gmail.com

W: http://EpicureanTangoSociety.blogspot.com