Monica suffered damage to the upper motor neuron portion of her right-side phrenic nerve and was diagnosed with unilateral diaphragm paralysis. In May 2015, she was implanted with the Avery Diaphragm Pacemaker by Dr. Don Headley at St Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
Monica states, “the [Avery] pacer has changed my life because I can now breathe better with two lungs versus one!” Monica exercises, travels (including trips to Japan and Bali), and has recently walked a 5k for the first time in 3 years! In her free time, Monica likes to play with her grandsons and dogs, hang out with family, do crafts, and shop!
Source: ABD-PP-014, Rev B 12/2020
