From a daughter’s wedding to an unexpected heart surgery, Bill Ray’s journey is one of persistence, stellar medical intervention and undying family support.
“Upon returning home from my daughter’s wedding reception, my symptoms were worsening. I couldn’t sleep and started having chest pain, nausea and lightheadedness. My wife made the decision to call for help,” Bill, a longtime board member of Mercy Health – Springfield Regional Medical Center, recalls.
Five hours and several tests later, all results appeared normal, and it was determined Bill had a severe case of acid reflux. Unfortunately, this journey did not end here.
Bill ran into his cardiologist, Sayed Tariq Rizvi, MD, that following Monday and was sharing the situation with him. Dr. Rizvi asked if he could look at his test results.
“He saw something in the CT scan that he did not like and asked me to have a stress test performed. The result of that stress test? I passed, but compared to a stress test five years ago, he found I reached my max heart rate much quicker this time,” Bill says. “I chalked it up to old age and COVID-19, but he wanted to schedule me for a heart cath just to be sure. I was truly thinking this was a waste of time and money, but I was going through the motions to help ease the minds of my wife and children.”
When Bill woke up from the procedure, Dr. Rizvi shared some shocking news, telling Bill, “See this artery? This artery is 100 percent blocked. Now look on the left – this one is 90 percent blocked. Now, see these two arteries at the bottom? They are 75 percent blocked.”
Dr. Rizvi left the room and returned with Michael Siegenthaler, MD, Bill’s soon-to-be surgeon. He informed him this could not be fixed with stents and would have to be fixed surgically. Bill was immediately admitted and wheeled up to 3 North, where he was scheduled for surgery two days later.
“The nurses caring for me in 3 North were incredible. They were always so calm and kind, taking the time to reassure me and my family every step of the way,” Bill shares.
Upon being wheeled into surgery, Bill saw the heart and lung machine and remembers thinking, “This is real.” He then fell fast asleep, and the next thing he remembers is waking up and realizing his other pain was gone.
“The nurses in the cardiovascular ICU knew their stuff and were so caring and attentive to everything. I couldn’t have better care.”
They got Bill up walking and on the second day, he did a full lap, and on the third day, two laps. People were coming and going all the time, making sure he was OK.
“It was unbelievable how many people were constantly there and caring for me, making sure I was comfortable,” he says
Bill was released after seven days, and home health care took over. They “always answered all of our questions and made sure I was receiving the best care. They came once a week for six weeks until they told me I was doing great and didn’t need them anymore.” Bill then started the cardiac rehab program three days a week for 12 weeks.
“There wasn’t one step of this process that wasn’t what I felt was the absolute best care I have ever received. I credit my cardiologist for saving my life. He went above and beyond the call of duty. I am truly blessed and grateful to everyone who comforted me and my family each and every step of this journey. These teams made a painful, stressful time very manageable. God forbid, if my children ever have to face a heart issue, I know exactly where I’d want them to be treated,” Bill says.
We checked back in with Bill around the holiday season to get an update on his recovery.
“I am back to 100 percent with absolutely no restrictions. For the first time in a very long while, all five of my children and all 12 grandchildren were together for Thanksgiving, traveling from Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio. There is so much to be thankful for this year!”
After a challenging year, Bill is celebrating life and treasuring every moment. Family, gratitude and joy – the true spirit of the holidays.
This holiday season, we are celebrating by spreading the good news! Read more grateful stories, like this one, that feature our team members, patients and the wonderful communities we are blessed to serve.
Learn about the heart and vascular care services we offer at Mercy Health.
