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Isabella
After giving birth to three boys, Barbara Herman was thrilled to hold a baby girl in her arms. So thrilled, that she overlooked the early signs of congenital heart defects. "In retrospect, I realize she did look pale when she was born. But I was so happy that all I worried about was whether to dress her in the pink socks or the lacy white ones." Baby Isabella's pediatrician discovered her multiple heart defects at her eight-week check-up. She was sent from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, to Riley in Indianapolis, where specialists performed tests throughout the night. "The next morning, we heard the diagnosis, and our lives were utterly changed," the Hermans remember. Isabella suffered from pulmonary atresia - the vessel between her heart and lungs was not connected. In addition, a hole between her two ventricles greatly reduced her heart's pumping efficiency. This was in the June of 1996. At that time, most doctors believed that an eight-week-old child could not survive the surgery needed to correct pulmonary atresia. So the Hermans returned home, to wait. The coping ability of such a tiny system is amazing. Isabella's body had spontaneously developed very small collateral vessels leading to her lungs; these were her sole source of oxygen. But as she grew, so did her body's oxygen needs. "That summer was horrendous," says Barbara. "Her skin was blue, and she would have these suffocating spells when she began to cry. I spent all my time trying to make sure she didn't cry at all." The events of August 1 of that year forced a decision. The oxygen levels in Isabella's blood dropped dangerously low, and Ft. Wayne clinicians had her rushed back to Riley Hospital. A team of Riley surgeons and specialists convened and held lengthy discussions on the feasibility of treating a child so young and so seriously ill. Finally, Dr. Mark Turrentine emerged to explain to the Herman's that immediate surgery - though unprecedented - was the only chance they had to save Isabella's life. The Hermans say they knew they could lose their baby, but clung to the tremendous confidence Dr. Turrentine showed going into the procedure. "That surgeon is like a god to me," Rick Herman says. "He gave us hope at a very critical time and then followed up on everything he said he'd do." The surgery was a success. In fact, Isabella made a remarkable recovery. The Hermans, Dr. Turrentine and Isabella's treatment team blazed a trail for pulmonary atresia corrective surgery at such a young age. The procedure is now considered routine at Riley. And today, following surgeries to correct other defects, the five-year-old is feisty and robust. She's a fearless swimmer and "dishes it right back to her three older brothers," says her mom. Looking back to 1996, Barbara remembers the doctor's consensus as a decision driven by logic as well as compassion. She refers to Riley's track record with high-acuity heart cases: "I truly believe they are among the world's best surgeons."
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