Expert, compassionate team healed Bill’s heart
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Bill Darringer starts every day by walking at least four miles.
“I'm out walking at 5 a.m. in the morning. If I'm not outside walking around Hudson, I’m probably at the sports complex walking there,” he says.
But a few years ago, he wasn’t feeling himself. He couldn’t walk a block without being winded. He had previous heart issues so he made an appointment to see his MercyOne cardiologist and soon discovered there was a blockage in his artery.
A stent was soon scheduled to reopen his artery. One of the things that impressed Bill the most about his care at MercyOne was the communication his care team provided to him and his family.
“They told me exactly step by step by step of what was going to happen,” he says. “They didn't talk above my head. They explained every little thing and it made me feel very comfortable knowing that they could take the time to explain everything. Communication between myself and my family with the doctors and the nurses was excellent.”
After his procedure, Bill needed 36 visits to MercyOne’s cardiac rehabilitation unit over a nine-month period of time. He was nervous to start exercising again but the MercyOne team helped him feel like he was home.
“They made me feel very at ease,” he said. “Of course, we didn't start out very fast. As time went on and over the 36 periods, you proceed to get a little faster. And by the time I was done with my 36 visits, I was just like I was brand new.”
Bill is so thankful for the expert and compassionate care he got from the MercyOne team.
“When I say team – all the way from the doctors to the nurses and dieticians – everybody is right there helping you out,” he says.
Now, thanks to MercyOne, Bill is able to be the healthiest, happiest version of himself, which includes spending as much time with his grandchildren.
“I want to be around as long as I can to see them,” he says. “I'm living my best life right now by exercising, eating the right foods and of course, helping take care of my great 12 grandkids.”
