*After Harper’s heart surgery at Arkansas Children’s, Heidi stayed with her while physicians kept her sedated so her body could rest.*

*John, Harper’s father, tries to entertain his little one before they roll her back to the OR for surgery on February 4, 2020.*

*An echo of Harper’s heart performed during May 2020 showed surgery was successful, and her heart looked perfect!*

December is a big month for Harper Grace Woodell. With a birthday at the beginning of the month and Christmas not too far behind, there are lots of wishes to wish and lists to be made. Luckily, Harper is a very smart girl with a great memory, and she truly loves any and every gift. It’s probably her love language. Imagine her delight last year when she tiptoed, sleepy-eyed, out of bed in Santa-suit jammies and found “a shiny new Barbie bicycle, pink with hearts and stars, and a purple basket on the front!” to carry her puppy stuffy, of course – Lola.

The only wish with more power (and people) behind it, a prayer really, at the top of many lists last year: Dear God, please carry us through Harper’s heart surgery as easily as possible.

One year ago, Heidi Smith and John Woodell received a diagnosis for their little girl that no parent could be prepared for. Even with decades of professional medical experience between them and front row seats for the kinds of miracles that are performed in operating rooms every day, Heidi and John were shocked. Diagnosed with an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), a congenital heart condition that leaves a hole in the septum of the heart, Harper would need heart surgery. While 2020 brought unexpected challenges for the Woodell and Smith family, it also brought gifts of grace.

When Harper was 2, she started seeing a new pediatrician, Dr. Christina Payne. “At our first well-visit, she noticed a heart murmur, which isn’t always a big deal. A lot of kids grow out of it,” Heidi explained. At a visit with Dr. Payne a couple years later for the new-preschooler-respiratory-infection, her concerns about the murmur were still there. “I remember she said that it just sounded a little more harsh, and she wanted to do some testing just to be on the safe side,” Heidi said. “We’ll forever be grateful that Dr. Payne is very thorough and always took the time to really listen.”

On December 18, after a second echo test at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, pediatric cardiologist Dr. Paul Seib confirmed an ASD diagnosis. “I remember him telling us, ‘Harper has an ASD, and it is large. It is one inch, and her right heart is enlarged,’” Heidi said. “My stomach dropped, and it felt like I couldn’t breath. I think we were in shock. Harper didn’t exhibit any of the usual markers for ASD. She has always been healthy and active, so it was very surreal to hear that she actually had a big hole in her heart.”

Dr. Seib continued talking about different procedures, but because of the size … Heidi and John already knew what he was going to tell them. “So, you’re saying our baby needs open heart surgery?” He nodded yes. “It felt like the whole world stopped, and I just remember looking at John trying to choke back tears. We were devastated. Harper was still coloring at her little table, but she looked over and said, ‘It’s okay, Mommy. I’m okay.’”

*This past summer, Heidi, John and Harper enjoyed the beautiful scenery during a trip to the Buffalo River.*

Harper was scheduled for open heart surgery as soon as possible – February 4, 2020. As the waiting game began, Heidi and John quickly realized this was not something they could face on their own. “We are so grateful that we have amazing family and friends and coworkers that helped us get through this, especially the waiting,” Heidi said. “As a parent, all you want to do is protect your baby from pain, and I couldn’t.” John agreed. “It is very humbling to go through something like this, and to know that you are not in control. There were a lot of prayers, and wishing I could take her place, but ultimately, we had to rely on faith and believe that everything would be okay.”

Still, there were a lot of sleepless nights. “I researched everything I could, read about every pediatric cardiovascular surgeon in our area, and tried to put on a happy face through the holidays,” Heidi said. “I’m an introvert and cringe at the thought of talking about my feelings, but this was too heavy.” Almost as if on cue, a little light would show up always when it was most needed. “One day, I got home early, was alone trying to put up Christmas decorations, so sad, and there was a knock on the door.” Heidi said. “Normally I wouldn’t have been home or would have ignored it, but instead I got to meet the most thoughtful mother and daughter. They were out witnessing, and I just broke down and told them everything, and they were so comforting and caring. They even brought Harper a gift before surgery and have checked on her after. I really needed their reminder that God is close to the brokenhearted.”

*Last year, Harper and her family enjoyed a vacation trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama.*

While Harper knew that she had “a boo-boo on her heart, and the doctors were going to fix it,” she always had a smile to show how brave she could be. Eventually, February did arrive. “In the congenital heart defect world, and on paper, this was a pretty straightforward surgery,” Heidi said. “But still …” On the morning of surgery, the Woodell and Smith families were joined by a dear family friend, Pastor Mike Powell. “He drove all the way up to pray over Harper and her team and us, and truly brought some peace to my heart,” Heidi said. “And brought Harp a stuffed mallard that she still loves.”

After a couple of hours, their surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Greiten, said the exact words Heidi and John had been praying for: “It was a textbook surgery, and Harper did perfectly.” A special patch was sewn in that will grow into her tissue to create the septum. “Everyone at Children’s was amazing,” Heidi said. “It was a very somber experience, especially to see other families facing longer or harder circumstances, but we couldn’t have asked for a better team.”

A week after surgery, Harper was ready to play outside, and begging to ride her bike again. “You always hear kids are resilient and recover quickly, but I’m still amazed.” A follow-up echo test in May showed that Harper’s heart looked perfect, and they’ll check again next May to make sure it stays perfect. In the meantime, she’ll be running around chasing kitties, fishing, singing, dancing, and taking Lola for spins on her bike. “I still remember that I didn’t like that tube by my belly button, and I didn’t like seeing Mommy sad,” Harper said. “But I do like all my presents that I got [friends stocked her up on plenty of gifts to unwrap while in the hospital], and I liked when I saw the angels.” Heidi smiled, “She told us about angels a week after surgery and a few times since. I have to believe she was protected.”

A year later, Harper Grace is excited to turn 5 – her golden birthday! “Well, I’d like a couple toys, a couple clothes, a Razorback shirt, some unicorn hand sanitizer, a fox stuffy …” She could go on. The rest of the family feels fulfilled on the wishes for some time. More than anything, the Woodell and Smith family say they are grateful for the here and now. “I’m definitely more intentional about appreciating every day,” Heidi said. “Seeing your baby in an ICU bed is not easy to forget, and I clearly remember wishing for a boring, normal day. We are just so grateful that this holiday season is feeling a little lighter and brighter and to have time with the people we love.”

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