Some stories begin with joy. Harper’s began with uncertainty—and a diagnosis that changed everything before she even entered the world.

Long before her first breath, doctors delivered devastating news: Harper had Tetralogy of Fallot with near pulmonary atresia, a rare and complex congenital heart defect that would severely limit oxygen flow through her body. It was a diagnosis far too heavy for a baby not yet born.

But even then, one decision was made without hesitation—her family would fight for her, no matter what.

A Fragile Beginning

Harper arrived early at just 33 weeks, weighing only 2 pounds 11 ounces. There was no time for celebration—only immediate medical intervention.

Doctors began administering prostaglandin, a critical medication to keep her ductus arteriosus open, allowing blood to circulate despite her heart’s limitations. It was a delicate lifeline, one that required constant monitoring.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) became her first home.

For two long months, Harper lived surrounded by machines, tubes, and the constant sound of alarms. Every breath she took was a struggle—and a victory.

A Fight for Every Breath

Harper’s early days were filled with challenges no newborn should ever face. Breathing was difficult, feeding was complicated, and her tiny body fought tirelessly to keep going.

Despite everything, she never gave up.

Her strength became evident in the smallest ways—each stable moment, each tiny gain in weight, each day she continued to fight.

Eventually, she was transferred to the Pediatric Cardiac ICU (PCICU), a step forward that brought cautious hope. But within a day, complications forced doctors to intubate her, reminding everyone just how fragile her condition remained.

A Critical Milestone

Then came a turning point—Harper reached five pounds.

It may seem small, but for her, it meant everything. She was finally strong enough to undergo her first major procedure.

In the cardiac catheterization lab, doctors placed a stent in her patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) to improve blood flow and support her heart.

Against all odds, Harper survived.

The First Taste of Home

After weeks of progress, Harper was finally allowed to go home—a moment her family had long dreamed of.

But home life came with its own challenges. She required oxygen support and relied on a feeding tube (G-tube). Every day was a careful balance between progress and vulnerability.

Still, she was home—and that meant everything.

A Life-Threatening Setback

In October, during a procedure to adjust her stent, tragedy struck.

Harper went into cardiac arrest.

Her heart stopped.

For ten long minutes, her family lived through every parent’s worst nightmare.

But somehow—miraculously—Harper came back.

Though the procedure itself was not successful, one truth remained: she was alive.

And she was still fighting.

The Surgery That Changed Everything

As her oxygen needs increased, it became clear that Harper could not wait for her scheduled repair surgery.

In December 2024, she returned to Duke University Hospital for a life-saving operation.

The surgery was long and complicated. Recovery was not easy. She faced additional challenges, including heart block—another obstacle in an already difficult journey.

But Harper had never chosen the easy path.

Slowly, steadily, she began to heal.

Celebrating Hard-Earned Milestones

Over time, Harper began reaching milestones that once felt impossible.

On May 22, she had her G-tube removed—a powerful symbol of her progress. She was no longer dependent on it for feeding.

Soon after, she graduated from speech therapy, another sign of how far she had come.

Each achievement, no matter how small it might seem to others, was a major victory.

Harper’s story is not over. She still faces additional procedures in the future, including more cardiac catheterization interventions.

But something has changed.

Where there was once overwhelming fear, there is now quiet confidence.

Because Harper has already proven what she is capable of.

More Than Survival

What makes Harper’s story truly extraordinary is not just that she survived—it’s how she continues to live.

Despite everything she has endured—surgeries, hospital stays, setbacks—she remains a happy, vibrant child.

Her smile tells a story that words cannot fully capture.

It speaks of strength.
Of resilience.
Of a spirit that refuses to be broken.

Looking at Harper today, you might not see the countless battles she has fought. You won’t see the NICU days, the tubes, or the surgeries.

But they are part of her.

They live in her strength, in her laughter, and in every step she takes forward.