The Tom and Terry Show: A Journey through Cardiac Rehab

Tom Beccia, left, and Terry Schaaf, right, at the Portage Fitness Center.

Tom Beccia and Terry Schaaf met under unusual circumstances. Both residents of the Upper Peninsula crossed paths during cardiac rehabilitation at UP Health System – Portage (UPHS – Portage), which quickly developed into a friendship sustained through regular visits to the Portage Fitness Center. What started as a shared recovery journey turned into an inspiring camaraderie built on perseverance, humor and a shared desire to claim back their active lives.

Tom’s Story

Six years ago, Tom, 62, of Chassell, faced a grim reality—his heart’s critical veins were completely blocked. A former timber worker with a physically active lifestyle, Tom noticed something was wrong when he began struggling to breathe.

“I couldn’t make it to the garden—which is only like 50 yards from my house—without stopping,” he said.

The turning point came later that same year when he was so depleted that he had to crawl a quarter of a mile out of the woods from his deer blind.

“I realized I needed to get checked out," he said.

With his wife’s persistence, Tom ended up at the Mayo Clinic, where doctors discovered his heart had grown new veins to compensate for the blockage. After extensive testing, he underwent an open chest double bypass at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Back safely at home, Tom enrolled in UPHS – Portage’s year-long Cardiac Rehab program.

When Tom first walked into rehab, he relied on a walker. “I was in really bad shape—people were betting I wouldn’t make it,” he recalled.

Terry’s Story

For Terry, 65, of Hancock, his health scare came out of the blue. After a routine physical showed no red flags, that same day he visited the Emergency Department (ED) at UPHS – Portage to get medication for what he thought was a sinus infection. He was about to leave town for a vacation and wanted to get it taken care of, but his regular doctor’s office was closed.

Moments after arriving at the ED, he suffered a heart attack, flatlining three times before being flown to UP Health System – Marquette. It was discovered that his arteries were plugged.

“My heart was actually back feeding my body – so that’s what kept me alive,” he said. “My heart was so strong.”

Against the odds, Terry survived and woke up with two stents.

Terry’s recovery was straightforward compared to Tom’s. Within days, he was back shoveling snow, a testament to his strong heart. However, his plugged arteries were a wake-up call and cardiac rehab became a cornerstone of his routine. He said they started with all the basics, increasing activity levels and monitoring as you grow stronger.

“It’s a phenomenal program,” Terry said. “The monitors ensure you’re not overdoing it, and the camaraderie keeps you going.”

A Shared Journey

Tom and Terry’s friendship was cemented in rehab, but they decided to keep up the momentum with gym passes to the Portage Fitness Center. Six years later, they still meet several times a week, cracking jokes and working on keeping their hearts strong.  

At the fitness center, they quickly became known as the “Tom and Terry Show,” bringing humor and positivity with every visit. “A lot of people tell us we have too much fun here,” Terry laughed. “But it is what you make of it.”

Tom, ever the overachiever, according to Terry, visits six days a week, while Terry is there four. They push each other to stay consistent, knowing the importance of building on their progress.

“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” Terry said. “You have to continue building on the foundation you put down.”

Through their shared journey, Tom and Terry have become more than friends—they’re each other’s support system. “I’ve had three people save my life,” Tom said, quickly adding this was in addition to his wife who urged him to seek treatment. “My surgeon, Joanie at cardiac rehab and now Terry. He keeps me going.”

Life Now

Both men have returned to their favorite activities—Tom to hunting and Terry to rebuilding cars, albeit with limitations. Tom’s continued drive is also fueled by the joy of becoming a grandfather this past year to Celia Rose.

“I can breathe better now,” he said. “But I have a new normal—I have to be careful not to overexert myself. I told myself if I can get out of the woods, I’m never going to come back here again... I was back in there the following year.”

The Cardiac Rehab program, along with the introduction to the gym afterward—especially with a friend—helps set you up for success, said Terry. They credit the program for giving them a second chance and encourage others to stay active and committed.

Their story is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of community and the unbreakable bond formed in the face of adversity. Together, Tom and Terry remind us that recovery is not just about healing the heart—it’s about finding joy, friendship, and a renewed zest for life.

You don’t need to face heart disease alone—cardiac rehab is a team effort.

To learn more about how our cardiac rehab program can support your recovery, visit uphealthsystem.com/heart-vascular/cardiac-rehabilitation.