Joe Mortelliti: on track to recovery and bubbling along
© Darren Stones 2007.
“All was sweet with the world, but someone decided to unplug me from my home internet connection and reconnect me to a chemotherapy machine.”
Joe Mortelliti – September 2006
Professional photographer, RedBubble member, and four-wheel drive enthusiast, Joe Mortelliti, faced a life-or-death fork in the road on March 1, 2007. His choice was a stark one – commence chemotherapy or probably die within three weeks. The sudden diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, was about to send the 57-year-old Geelong resident on a journey which he had made no preparation for.
“Having never been on medication, or ever really sick, it was hard to accept that something was really wrong,” said Joe.
On February 28, 2007 at 4.00pm, Joe was blood tested due to an old foot injury which had become sore and swollen. At 9.00am on March 1, 2007, Joe received an urgent phone call from his doctor, who directed him to proceed to the Geelong Hospital immediately as a bed was ready and waiting for him.
During the subsequent four months, Joe underwent three rounds of intensive chemotherapy, and is now back in the field doing what he loves – photography.
The Mortelliti family have rallied around Joe in recent times, and in particular his wife Marion who has helped speed his recovery.
“Since getting out of hospital, she (Marion) has driven me to locations I want to photograph, and helped carry my gear,” said Joe.
“I could not have photographed without her assistance, as I’m only good for an hour or two and then run out of energy.”
Recently, Joe and Marion explored the nearby historic town of Queenscliff, which provided Joe the opportunity to skilfully capture through his lens the atmosphere and scenes rare to the area.
During his period of treatment, Joe formed an alliance with the Australian-based company, RedBubble.
RedBubble is a vibrant online art gallery and creative community that enables artists the opportunity to exhibit, discuss and sell their works.
To date, Joe has established an extensive portfolio of over 300 photographs on RedBubble, and become an active member of that community.
Recently, Joe collaborated with fellow RedBubble member, Cliff Vestergaard, on a work titled ‘The King’, which Cliff has made available for sale.
Ever mindful of encouraging his peers, Joe advises that landscape photography is “all about composition and light … so do not get hung up on gear too much.”
Joe Mortelliti – September 2006
Joe’s doctors are confident he’ll make a full recovery, but precautions are being undertaken to secure his continuing health. He’s been matched with his brother’s bone marrow in the event a bone marrow transplant is required.
With a realistic view towards life, Joe says “…I’m getting stronger, and have already booked for a short trip to Wilsons Promontory in August (2007), and then nine days in the Flinders Ranges in September (2007).”
“As I was in and out of hospital during the treatment and side effect cycles, I traded my Toyota Prado on a new Land Cruiser,” said Joe.
“I did get some strange looks from family and friends. So I told them that I discussed it with the doctors, and said to them that they had to get me through all this, as it would be very embarrassing to have a brand new, and rather expensive, Land Cruiser in the driveway and not be around to drive it!”
Joe Mortelliti’s outstanding portfolio of Australian landscape images can be viewed and purchased online at RedBubble.
Joe Mortelliti’s RedBubble Portfolio.
© Darren Stones 2007.
kseriphyn
Glad Joe is doing well. Excellent write up Darren.
Melinda Kerr
Ahhh so THAT’s the story Joe and Darren. I had seen reference to you being unwell on P4P but never knew what the issue was. Great, great story Darren what a good bloke & friend you are for having written this. And Joe through all this you still cared enough to comment on work and give advice which is so insightful and constructive. What a bloody good bloke you are! (Are you sure you’re not an Essendon supporter!) Thank goodness you got the treatment. This shelia for one would have missed out on some great help if you hadn’t. x
Karen Cougan
WELLL WELLLLL WELLLLLLLLLL, that’s what I like to see. Two of my mates supporting each other. Great Wrap Daz and what a sensational story for Joe too. Howdy Joe…........ Awesome work from you both, and I salute you both
Love Karen
EOS20
Thats great news! :)
Cathie Tranent
Love the Land Cruiser story Joe … no pressure mind!!
Great work Darren.
Lost Lost
Top stuff! Great article, and Joe seems like a genuinely nice guy, and has had some very nice things to say about my images.
All the best mate :)
Kelly McGill
Excellent work Darren!
As one of the members of P4P, I have been lucky enough to meet and spend some time chatting to Joe, and he is just a wonderful person, who has a wealth of knowledge not only on Photography but also advice on the BEST places to visit in Australia. I am glad he is on the road to recovery and look forward to many more stories and photographs from Joe.
Thanks again for the story and pictures Darren! Very well done, as usual.
Cheers
Kel
Sharon Hammond
Well written piece Daz. Hope ur feelin’ better soon Joe
Hans Kawitzki
Thanks for that wonderful article Darren and images of Joe.Having known Joe for over 20 years I know what a fantastic photographer and person he is.Best wishes Joe and keep fighting.
Xavier Russo
Beautiful article Darren. It’d be our pleasure to share this story with the world.
peter
Thanks for writing this Darren and Joe thank for allowing your story to be shared. Life is such a treasure – it’s not to be taken for granted and stories such as this one help remind me of this ...
mawaho
A well produced article Darren. Joe’s story is an inspiration showing that courage and determination will get us all back on that road again.
Xavier Russo
If you’d like to help spread this story, please “digg it”: http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Photographer_beats_leukaemia_now_bubbling_along
Neil Boucher
Excellent story Darren! I know Joe through P4P and Redbubble, but not as much as I would like. Envious of Joe’s outback adventures (past and future) but not of his fight. Thank you for your inspiration Joe, and for your great reporting Daren.
Cheryl Ridge
Excellent bit of journalism Darren. Joe, I hope you continue to get well -
you have to because Ive added you to my watchlist!
zee1
Wow the story just unfolds and so well written, excellent job Darren. I think Joe, his family and friends including those in Bubbletown would all be chuffed.
David Haviland
Good story and good to hear Joe is getting better and back out taking photos.
Paul Louis Vil...
Fantastic news Joe!
Lee Wilde
What a wonderful, well written tribute. Congratulations Darren on being the first RB New story published and wishing Joe continued good health.
Stephen Mitchell
It is stories like this that proves why Aussies are revered the world over … for being genuine, generous and gifted in whatever we put our hearts and minds.
Great story Darren.
Natalie Manuel
Great article Darren :)
Kylie Reid
Thank you for sharing your story Darren & Joe. Wishing you all the very best for a speedy recovery Joe and I hope your plans to travel to Wilsons Prom and Flinders Rangers are coming along well.
Lisa Defazio
Makes you wish there was something you could do….........see my Journal.
Well written and sensitive Darren. Joe I wish you health and many, many years of driving – and photography!
Ange
Congratulations Darren getting published. Wishing you all the best in health & life Joe!
Shanina Conway
Dear Joe, I hope you continue on the road to a full recovery and share with us your wonderful images.
Beautifully written Darren.
Cliff Vestergaard
My heart is with with Joe . . Thank you for your inspiration Joe, and thanks Darren for sharing Joes story.
vjwriggs
Good luck and all my wishes great story beautifully written and just fantastic.
Elana Halvorson
Congratulations Darren. Beautifully done. Also another step in the right direction for you.
Samantha Cole-...
Great article Darren on the most fantastic bloke!
We love you Joe and are so very pleased you are well on your way to being healthy and enjoying new adventures in that new 4WD…
Hugs
xx Sam
David Stuart
All the best for your continued recovery joe. It reminds me that the things I worry and stress over are really not that important on the greater scale.
Inspring story, thanks for sharing Darren
marieancolie
What you wrote is beautiful Darren
All my best wishes for both of you,
very sincerely.
Marie
Darren Stones
Thank you to everyone for reading Joe Mortelliti’s story and for posting your best wishes for him.
Thanks to RedBubble for sharing the story with the world.
Folks, I appreciate your thoughts and generous comments.
Joe and Marion Mortelliti, my heartfelt appreciation to you both for allowing me to write the story and share it with others.
Joe, you are an inspiration to me, and thanks for your encouragement. Enjoy the journey mate – you deserve the best.
Cheers,
Darren Stones
Elaine van Dyk
Darren, what a wonderfully inspirational story, and what a wonderful person you are for writing it.
Joe, a million gold stars to you for attitude! I am so impressed, and love the way you kept your sense of humour through a pretty traumatic time. I raise a toast to your continued recovery to the best of health, and to regaining full strength.
Robert Knapman
Ditto to everything said above. This is a wonderful way of strengthening and deepening the relationships here on RB and the community which is getting stronger and stronger every day. And also a tribute to the community and RB for suporting and encouraging it. Thanks Darren and thanks Joe – I wish you well.
margo
It’s almost August, Joe. Hard to believe that you will soon be off in your new Land Cruiser to Wilson’s Prom and shortly after that to the Flinders. Good luck to you and Marion. We all join with Darren in wishing you the very best – and will be eagerly watching P4P and RB for more of your terrific Aussie images. You’ve won the tough fight, now it’s time for the fun. Thank you Darren for sharing your well written account of Joe’s journey.
ChrissyB
Awesome story Darren!!!!
Joe, always good to have new toys to play with, the Land Cruiser will be fantastic, you’ll be able to go anywhere with the new beast…..Best wishes to you…...
Christine Wilson
I’ve been off at work for several days and log in to find this excellent piece of journalism Darren – nicely told and a great tribute to Joe – an excellent photographer glad to hear things are on the up for Joe.
Joe Mortelliti
Thank you all for such wonderful expressions of best wishes for my future…really great to read such positive support.
Marion has printed out the story and your responses and has shed a tear or two.
Good on you Darren for putting the story together and wish you all the best in you future writing career.
Thanks mate
Cheers
Joe
Phil Thomson IPA
Wonderful story Darren, !!! Thanks for the opportunity to read it and to Joe for alerting me to it !!!!
MissKristy
Glad I found the link to this. I’m a bit teary reading all this. Human beings can be so amazing in our love and care for one another. It really restores faith in humanity.
Thank you Joe for allowing Darren to share your story with us all. I wish you and your family all the very best warm wishes.