The Heart of a Fisherman Never Gives Up
When Children’s Cardiology said that 10-year-old Grayson would need a pacemaker, one of his parents’ most pressing concerns was whether he’d still be able to go fishing. Grayson loves playing baseball and football, showing livestock, camping and playing with his friends and little brothers. But catching fish has been his favorite pastime, and he was anxious to get back to it after receiving a second membrane resection for congenital subaortic stenosis last year that led to a complete heart block.
Grayson’s mom Jill said all three of her boys have been raised on the water, and she and her husband were concerned about whether a pacemaker would interfere with Grayson’s life and prevent him from doing the things he loves.
“They were very encouraging about it and told us there are even Major League Baseball players who have pacemakers,” Jill said. “They reassured us that as long as we take the recommended precautions, his congenital heart defect (CHD) and pacemaker was not going to hold him back. And they haven’t. One of his most memorable milestones was being released to fish after getting his pacemaker and landing the biggest Redfish he’s ever caught on his first trip back.”
Jill said Grayson’s second resection surgery and the pacemaker insertion took place at the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital, and they had a phenomenal experience there.
“All the doctors, nurses and the staff in general were absolutely amazing,” Jill said. “The new rooms are huge, and they have places for you to plug in your gaming systems, computers or to watch streamed shows. He received great care.”
Jill said that while it was challenging for Grayson to rest during his recovery when everyone else was out playing, he’s now mostly back to his normal self just a few weeks post-surgery. In November, her diehard University of Georgia fan was released to go to the Georgia – Georgia Tech game, which ended up going into a record-setting EIGHT overtimes.
“We had to laugh because Grayson was just screaming and cheering, right along with everyone else,” she said. “I looked at my husband and said, ‘Oh goodness. His pacemaker’s working overtime right now!’”
Jill said that while it’s tough to give other heart families advice because everyone’s situation is unique, one of her biggest takeaways from her experience has been to trust the experts taking care of Grayson.
“Trust the surgeon. Trust the nurses. Allow them to do their thing and let them do the hard part,” Jill said. “You just be there for your child.”
She also recommends finding other heart parents who have been through similar circumstances and lean on them. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Kids at Heart Program(opens in a new tab) offers support and a community for parents, caregivers and families of patients with CHDs who are treated at Children’s.
“Finding a community that is willing to help each other in big and small ways has made a world of difference in our journey,” Jill said.
Grayson sees pediatric cardiologist Dr. Benjamin Toole at Children’s Cardiology’s Albany and Valdosta clinics.
Related:
Arthur M. Blank Hospital | Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Kids at Heart Connects Families Who “Get It”
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