Bill's Journal

Today I celebrate the 4th anniversary of OHS to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve at the age of 55. I was blessed to have a strong recovery. I’m able to exercise/run almost daily. Life is good. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of my heart journey.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 Today I celebrate the third anniversary of open heart surgery replacing my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine valve. It is hard to describe the feeling of knowing that your breastbone will be cut open and your heart hooked up to a heart-lung machine and then waking up, which felt like a minute after going into the operating room, from a 4.5 hour surgery with tubes and wires all over your body. It was a beautiful sight seeing my wife as I woke up. My body was so weak. That first night was tough but the next day my nurses had me sitting up and I walked four times (very slow and not far). Every day I felt a little stronger and I was able to go home four days after surgery. I have been blessed to have a strong recovery. I feel I was in strong shape physically, mentally, and spiritually before and after surgery thanks to my family and friends. I attended my first F3 workout on a modified basis 33 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). Since the surgery I have run 447 times totaling 1,692 miles and have attended over 465 F3 workouts. Five months after surgery I went on an 14 hour/18 mile overnight F3 GrowRuck carrying a backpack with over 30 pounds. I ran a 10K seven months after surgery, participated in a 200 mile relay run 11 months after surgery running 14 miles, and ran a half marathon 17 months after surgery. I’ve been blessed. 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 online 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 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. There are so many people I need to thank. Most importantly my wife for helping me prepare for the surgery and during the recovery. My daughter and mom provided lots of love and support. My cardiologist who has taken good care of me since I first called him in March 2014 letting him know about the results of a heart scan. My heart surgeon Robert Lancey and his medical team. To the staff at the Maryview cardiac ICU who took care of me for five days making sure I was walking a few times each day, using my breathing machine, and that I was not in pain. To those friends who had open heart surgery or had experience with open heart surgery who contacted me before surgery providing words of advice, comfort, and encouragement. And to all of my friends who provided prayers and support before, during, and after surgery, thank you. I consider every day to be a blessing. Since the surgery I’ve lost friends who have passed away from cancer or other illnesses. And I lost my mom who unexpectedly passed away this past January. 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. My goal is do a better job eating healthy foods. I am proud to be a HEART WARRIOR. ❤️💪

One of my goals after having open heart surgery in October 2018 to replace my aortic valve at the age of 55 was to run a half marathon. I started having breathing issues during runs not long after running the Richmond Half Marathon in November 2017. It got to the point I couldn’t run more than a minute without stopping to catch my breath. I signed up for the Shamrock Half Marathon in VA Beach to achieve my goal. The race had been scheduled for this morning but was cancelled over a week ago as a result of the Coronavirus. I wasn’t going to let the Coronavirus stop me from running a half marathon today so I ran 13.1 miles. My daughter who runs for Campbell University rode her bike and provided me with fluids when I needed them. She got in 17 miles on the bike.

Ran 9.4 miles this afternoon at a comfortable pace and ran 3.5 miles early this morning. The 9.4 miles was my longest run since the Richmond Half Marathon in November 2017. Not long after the half marathon I started having breathing issues when I ran. Since the open heart surgery in October 2018 to replace my aortic valve I’ve continued to make exercise a priority. I’m not fast but I feel strong and the heart feels strong. No more breathing issues. A great feeling sixteen months after the surgery.

Today I celebrate the one year anniversary of open heart surgery replacing my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine valve. It is hard to describe the feeling of knowing that your breastbone will be cut open and your heart hooked up to a heart-lung machine and then waking up, which felt like a minute after going into the operating room, from a 4.5 hour surgery with tubes and wires all over your body. It was a beautiful sight seeing my wife as I woke up. My body was so weak. That first night was tough but the next day my nurses had me sitting up and I walked four times (very slow and not far). Every day I felt a little stronger and I was able to go home four days after surgery. I have been blessed to have a strong recovery. Being in good shape and making exercise a part of my routine helped me have a strong recovery. I was able to run (slow jog) two miles 34 days after surgery and run six miles 41 days after surgery (slow jog with walk breaks). I attended an F3 workout 33 days after surgery. I’m in several online 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 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. The other day I read all of the comments to my wife’s post on Facebook the day of the surgery letting my friends know the surgery was a success. I also read the comments when I made my first post the day after surgery typing “Howdy”. Reading the comments to those posts brought a few tears and made me realize how blessed I am to have so many wonderful friendships and how my friends were praying for me to have a successful surgery. 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. 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. There are so many people I need to thank. Most importantly my wife Lou for helping me prepare for the surgery and during the recovery. My daughter and mom provided lots of love and support. My cardiologist who has taken good care of me since I first called him in March 2014 letting him know about the results of a heart scan. My heart surgeon Robert Lancey and his medical team. From our first meeting with Dr. Lancey when he spent 90 minutes with Lou and me talking about my condition and why I needed to replace my aortic valve, I knew he would successfully fix my heart. To the staff at the Maryview cardiac ICU who took care of me for five days making sure I was walking a few times each day, using my breathing machine, and that I was not in pain. To those friends who had open heart surgery or had experience with open heart surgery who contacted me before surgery providing words of advice, comfort, and encouragement. And to all of my friends who provided prayers and support before, during, and after surgery, thank you. 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. My goal is do a better job eating healthy foods. I am proud to be a HEART WARRIOR.

Today is Father’s Day and yesterday was the 8 month anniversary of having open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve with a bovine valve. My dad passed away five months before the surgery and at that time we did not know my valve needed to be replaced but I was having difficulty catching my breath when I ran. Dad had his aortic valve replaced with a pig valve in his mid 70s. I know he was looking down on my during the surgery and recovery. I’ve been blessed to have a strong recovery. I miss you dad.

Six months ago today at the age of 55 I had open heart surgery to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve. A whole lot of folks helped me on this journey and I have been blessed to have such a strong recovery from the surgery. I was able to run two miles 33 days after surgery and six miles 41 days after surgery. A friend recently asked me did the surgery change me. I tend to get a little more emotional at times, I’m more thankful for stuff, and I feel I have strengthened my Faith. Just hope I don’t have future heart issues for a while. Waking up from surgery is an experience. Once again thank you to my heart surgeon Robert Lancey, my cardiologist Jun Chung, the staff at the cardiac unit at Maryview Medical Center, and most of all my wife, daughter, and mom.

This morning I completed a GoRuck with 42 other men. Last night we started the GoRuck at 6pm Saturday and finished over 14 hours later around 8:30am Sunday. We walked around 15 miles through a lot of trails. I carried a 30 pound ruck sack the entire time plus carrying other items during the ruck. We did several exercises during the ruck. Three of us are 55 years old, the others are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. I was the only one to have had open heart surgery. Besides waking up from heart surgery, this was probably the most physical and emotional event I have participated in. The others kept asking me how I was doing. I felt strong the whole time but my body is very sore. My breastbone has no soreness. I can’t describe the emotion of completing this event after going through open heart surgery five months ago and prior to the surgery not being to run for one minute without having to stop and catch my breath.

Below are some verses that gave me comfort as I prepared for open heart surgery on 10/15/18 to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve. Isaiah 41:10 - Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Psalm 73:26 - My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Joshua 1:9 - This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Psalm 139:13-14 - You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Philippians 4:6 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Five years ago today I made the smart decision to get a heart scan. At the time I had no physical symptoms of heart disease but decided to get a heart scan because someone told me about the heart scan, it was being offered at a reduced price, and I was 50 years old and my grandfather died of a heart attach at the age of 49. Since that heart scan I have had stents put in arteries 80% and 90% blocked and on 10/15/18 I had open heart surgery to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve. Bon Secours recently shared my heart story on their website and Facebook page. https://bonsecours.com/hampton-roads/about-us/blog/a-heart-scan-bill-pollard-had-on-a-whim-saved-his-life

Check out my heart story being shared by Bon Secours on their website and social media. My cardiologist and heart surgeon are both with Bon Secours. https://bonsecours.com/hampton-roads/about-us/blog/a-heart-scan-bill-pollard-had-on-a-whim-saved-his-life

I’ve been introduced to three men recently who are having open heart surgery soon to replace their aortic and mitral valves. Two are Rotarians introduced to me from fellow Rotarians and the third is a friend of a friend. They live in Maryland, Maine, and Oregon. I’ve been able to share my journey with him. I had a few folks do the same for me which helped me prepare for the surgery and recovery. These three new friends will be in my prayers for successful surgeries and strong recoveries.

Hard to believe it was 60 days ago that Dr. Robert Lancey performed open heart surgery on me to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve with a bovine valve. Again the prayers and encouraging comments before and after the surgery played a big role in the strong recovery. I’m sure my friends are tired of my heart updates but I’m proud of them. Here’s a recap of some of the highlights during the recovery the past 60 days. Oct 15 - 4+ hour surgery Oct 16 - Walked four times in the hospital Oct 18 - Lou and Betsy treated me to a Chick Fil A chocolate milkshake Oct 19 - Released from the hospital and back home Oct 28 - Attended Community Church Oct 30 - Attended my weekly Rotary club meeting. Walked 1.3 miles outside Nov 3 - Walked 3.8 miles outside Nov 9 - Allowed to drive a car Nov 12 - Walked 5.3 miles outside Nov 14 - One month check-up with Dr. Lancey who released me from his care Nov 17 - F3 workout (modified) Nov 18 - Ran 2 miles Nov 19 - Back to the office Nov 25 - Ran 6 miles Dec 2 - Ran 3.4 miles Dec 8 - Played a game of one-on-one basketball. Dec 12 - Led an F3 workout Dec 14 - 60 days since getting a new aortic valve

Today I ran 6 miles 41 days after open heart surgery to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve. Prior to the surgery I was not able to run more than a minute without having to stop and catch my breath. Today I did not have any breathing issues. I did stop a few times to refresh the legs. It was an awesome feeling being able to run without having breathing issues. It appears the new Bovine valve was doing a good job pushing the blood through my body.

Today I had my 30 day check-up with Dr. Lancey. He said my recovery has been outstanding. The Heart Hugger vest is no longer needed. It has been a good friend the past month providing comfort as the breastbone has healed. He said I do not need cardiac rehab and that I can start exercising but to start off easy and be smart. He even gave me the okay to go easy jogs during some walks. I stopped by the Maryview Cardiac ICU to hello and provide a thank you note. I wasn’t able to hold back the tears. As I have said before, I was truly blessed to have Dr. Robert Lancey and his team replace my aortic valve. Today he spent over 30 minutes with me answering my questions and talking about my continued recovery. The breastbone is still a little tender but will continue to heal.

In 2014 I turned 50 years old and was probably in the best shape since my college days. In 2012 I lost over 30 pounds and made exercise a priority. My grandfather died of a heart attack at the age of 49, my father had a triple bypass and valve replacement in his early 70s, and my mom had a stent put in an artery. Someone gave me a flyer about a heart scan (also called a calcium scan) to check the possibility of having plaque in my arteries. Despite being in good shape, I decided to spend the $59 to have the test done (it was on sale from the normal $100 fee). A few days after the test a nurse called me and told me my calcium score was 1,100. A calcium score of 400 means there is a 90% probability of plaque build-up. I called a friend who is a cardiologist and he wanted to see me immediately. He decided to do a catheterization which showed I was 80% blocked in an artery and three stents were put in. He also said we need to keep an eye on my aortic valve as it had some calcification and it may need to be replaced at some point. I was running a week after the procedure and from 2014 to 2016 I ran three half marathons and my first full marathon. In the winter of 2017 I noticed I was having to stop and catch my breath during my runs. I shared this with my cardiologist and after a stress test I had another catheterization showing I was 90% blocked in another artery resulting in a stent. Again my cardiologist said we need to keep an eye on my aortic valve. A few months after this procedure I again started having trouble catching my breath when I ran and it had gotten to a point that I had to take a walk break after one minute of running. However, I did not get out of breath doing yard work and other activities. In August 2018 I was playing basketball at the YMCA and after running up and down the court a few times I could not catch my breath. I contacted my cardiologist and he did a stress test followed by a catheterization which showed that my aortic valve had become more calcified. It also showed that my aortic valve was bicuspid. I then met with Dr. Robert Lancey, a heart surgeon and Medical Director of the Bon Secours Heart and Vascular Institute at Maryview Medical Center. Dr. Lancey spent 90 minutes with my wife and me during our first visit when we decided to proceed with open heart surgery to replace my calcified and bicuspid aortic valve. We decided to use a bovine valve. On October 15, 2018 I had a four and half hour surgery to replace my aortic valve. Dr. Lancey told me my valve was one of the most calcified values he had ever replaced and that it was having a very hard time pushing blood through my body. The day after surgery I walked four times in the hospital. I went home on October 19. The recovery has been remarkable. I have had little pain. Thirteen days after surgery I was walking over a mile. In my first post op meeting with Dr. Lancey, he told me my chest x-ray was the best he’s ever seen of his open heart surgery patients. The prayers and support from my family and friends including my coworkers, Beta brothers, Rotarians, and F3 PAX has been incredible. Dr. Lancey and his medical team were the best. In the hospital he visited with me three times a day and he called me two days after I came home. I will always be grateful to Dr. Lancey for giving me a healthy heart. I was extremely scared and nervous about the surgery. But it was not nearly as bad as I had imagined it would be. Sure, the first day after waking up us tough but every day I felt better. I’m sure it helped that I was in good physical shape. My advice if you have any of the symptoms of heart disease no matter if you feel you are in great shape, get checked out. That decision in April 2014 probably saved my life.