Bill's Photos

Today is the 7th anniversary of my open heart surgery on 10/15/18 at the age of 55 to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve. I have been blessed to have a strong recovery from the surgery. I feel great physically seven years later as I'm able to exercise/run almost daily. I still remember the emotions and fear I had being rolled into the operating room knowing my chest would be cut open and my heart hooked up to a heart/lung machine for the four to five hour surgery as Dr. Robert Lancey replaced my aortic valve with a bovine valve. It's hard to describe the feeling of waking up from the surgery with wires and chest tubes hooked up to me feeling like I've been run over by a bus. I was so weak. Waking up from surgery was brutal but the nurses took great care of me. They had me walking the next day and I felt a little stronger each day. I went home five days after surgery where I continued to have a strong recovery. I walked a mile outdoors 13 days after surgery. I was able to run two miles 34 days after surgery and run six miles 41 days after surgery (slow jog with walk breaks). I was back at work six weeks after surgery. I still get a little emotional at times thinking about the surgery and recovery. I know the good Lord has a plan for me and I feel part of that plan is to help others who are dealing with heart disease. I'm in several social media support groups for heart valve and open heart surgery patients which has provided me with support and encouragement. I try to give support and encouragement to folks who are preparing for open heart surgery or have recently had surgery. Since March 2014 when I had three stents put in an artery that was 80% blocked I have shared my heart story in hopes of helping others who may have heart disease. Here is the link to my heart story I wrote after the surgery. https://blog.bonsecours.com/heart/heart-scan/ I will always be thankful to Dr. Lancey and his medical team for fixing my heart and to my wife and daughter who made sure I followed Dr. Lancey's instructions during the recovery at home. My cardiologist has taken good care of me since getting the stents in 2014 and 2017. I consider every day to be a blessing. Since the surgery I've lost friends who have passed away from cancer or other illnesses. I lost my mom who unexpectedly passed away in January 2021. The surgery was about five months after my dad passed away. He had his aortic valve replaced when he was 73. My grandfather passed away from a heart attack when he was 49 years old. I know my dad was watching over me during the surgery. At some point in the future, hopefully later than sooner, my bovine valve will need to be replaced. I plan to continue to live life to the fullest and to continue exercising to keep my heart strong. My biggest challenge is trying to eat smart and healthy. I'm a proud Heart Warrior. ❤️💪

Celebrating the 6th anniversary of open heart surgery to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine valve. I was 55 when I had the surgery. I was blessed to have a successful surgery and strong recovery. Thanks to Dr. Robert Lancey and his medical team. Six years later and I feel great as I exercise almost daily. I do need to do a better job of eating smarter and healthier. Proud to be a Heart Warrior. ❤️💪 PS - Here's my heart story from six years ago. https://blog.bonsecours.com/heart/heart-scan/