William Reece's Story: Thankful for Every Moment after Cardio-Oncology Care at Henry Ford Health

William Reece’s life took an unexpected turn when what seemed like a simple leg injury uncovered a series of life-threatening health conditions. A pastor, husband, father, and grandfather, William was living a busy, active life until he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a pre-leukemia blood disorder, after visiting Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. His condition quickly progressed to leukemia, and he faced severe heart complications that put his life in jeopardy.

During chemotherapy treatments, William’s heart began to show signs of aortic regurgitation, a condition where the heart valve doesn’t close properly. With his heart failing, William’s doctors at Henry Ford Health made a critical decision to place him on an ECMO device to take over the function of his heart and lungs, giving him time to recover. His cardiologist, Dr. Madhulata Reddy, along with a team of specialists, worked tirelessly to stabilize his heart so that he could receive a life-saving aortic valve replacement.

After a minimally invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) performed by Dr. Pedro Villablanca, William experienced an immediate improvement in his health, allowing him to move forward with a stem cell transplant in January 2022 — with his son as the donor. Shortly after the transplant, William faced another major setback when he developed COVID-19, causing severe respiratory issues and significant weight loss. Despite these challenges, he fought through each obstacle with determination and faith.

Today, William is cancer-free and thriving. He has returned to preaching, spending time with his family, and staying active with hobbies like golfing and biking. His journey highlights the importance of cardio-oncology care, a specialized approach that combines cancer treatment with heart health management. William credits his recovery to the dedication and expertise of his medical team at Henry Ford Health and wants to inspire others facing similar health battles.

This is a story of hope, resilience, and the power of advanced medical care. William’s message is clear: No matter how difficult the road may seem, recovery is possible with the right support, mindset, and faith.

#CancerSurvivor #CardioOncology #HeartHealth #HeartValve #HeartValveDisease #StemCellTransplant #HenryFordHealth #LeukemiaAwareness #ECMO #TAVR
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