Heart to Heart

Seven years ago today, I waited by the phone. Waiting for the news that my niece had been born. This wait was much different for me than previous births. This was a nervous and unsure wait.

Five months prior to December 19^th, my sister visited her doctor for her normal checkup to discover that the baby’s heartbeat was undetected. After the initial panic, the ultrasound found the baby’s very low heart rate. Tests continued and determined that the baby had complete heart block, which is interference in the signals between the heart chambers, resulting in a low heart rate. Through the next few months, the baby’s heart rate was monitored closely. Once the baby was born, the doctor’s were unsure as to whether she would need a pacemaker immediately after birth or if her heart rate would be at a healthy level that would sustain her.

On that cold December morning seven years ago, the phone finally rang with the news that Riley Alexa had arrived and that her heart rate was low, but ok. When I finally got to the hospital and held her in my arms, I worried for what her future might hold.

After Riley’s first birthday, the doctor’s decided it was time for the pacemaker since her heart rate had declined since birth. At the age of one, she received her first pacemaker and thrived. A few months ago, the battery had drained enough on that first pacemaker that Riley needed a replacement at the age of 6. She is still thriving today as she swims, plays soccer and enjoys life as any 7 year old would. Riley will need this pacemaker for the rest of her life, but there is nothing stopping her from living life to the fullest. Riley Alexa holds a special place in all of our “hearts”. Happy 7^th Birthday, Riley!

After living through this with my family, how could I not enjoy my work in the medical device industry? If Wilson Greatbatch (who is my sister’s hero!), hadn’t had the drive and courage to invent the pacemaker, what would happen to these heart babies? The medical device industry is developing ideas every day to make our lives and our children’s lives better and I love being a part of it.

- Deb Gimbel