Seven years ago, Tara Mowery experienced a difficult pregnancy after years of trying to get  pregnant. She experienced major difficulty breathing, nausea, and swelling, all attributed to her asthma and pregnancy. After she delivered her daughter, Emma, via C-section, her body became extremely swollen, and she was struggling to breathe. She went home with her newborn and husband and days later, drove herself to the local hospital believing she had pneumonia. 

Physicians discovered Tara’s heart was failing due to peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). She  was transferred to a different hospital where her condition quickly worsened, and she was intubated. Tara’s family was told she may need a heart transplant and physicians gave a grim prognosis. Then her physician inserted the Impella® heart pump to allow her weak heart to rest  for two days. Six days later, Tara awoke in the coronary care unit. Her family brought Emma to visit and Tara’s health continued to improve. She was able to return home with her family and her native heart. Heart recovery has allowed Tara invaluable time with her daughter Emma. 

Tara’s outlook on life is brighter than ever knowing how important it is for her to be alive today for Emma. She is thankful she gets to spend each and every day with Emma, running and  chasing after her very active daughter, with her own healthy and strong heart.

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