Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage and Love

by Bret Baier

  “Here’s the deal,” I said. “I’ll put you both to bed. But, Daniel has to go now and Paul is next. Mommy can start Paul by reading a book and then I will come in.” With that bit of bedtime choreography worked out, Daniel smiled and said, “Okay Daddy.” Paul grimaced a little, but finally relented, “Okay, but hurry, Daniel. You need to go right to sleep, okay?” Daniel took the order in stride, “Okay, Paul.” To his credit, Daniel did as his older brother instructed. The cake must have worn off and in about two minutes Daniel was fast asleep and breathing deeply.

  I tiptoed out of his room and across the hall to Paul’s room where Amy was wrapping up the last paragraph of the latest adventures of Captain Underpants. Paul laughed heartily at every potty term in the book, and you can imagine how many there are in a book entitled, Captain Underpants and the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty People. Amy kissed Paul and said, “Good night, pumpkin.” Paul kissed her back saying, “Good night, Mama—I love you.” “Love you too!” Amy replied, as she closed the door.

  I climbed into bed next to Paul and turned off the light. The blue glow of his night-light illuminated Paul’s face and I could see he was lying on his pillow with a big smile on his face. “Why are you smiling?” I asked. Paul looked at me and said, “I don’t know.” He paused and then said, “I love you, Daddy.”

  I said, “I love you too.” Then we did what we did every night at bedtime. We prayed together.

  “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. Dear Lord…”—I started. Then, suddenly Paul took over. With his hands together and his eyes closed, Paul prayed, “Dear Lord, thank you for a wonderful day with Daddy’s work party and thank you for Mama and Daddy and Daniel and me. Please keep us all healthy and please help my other tooth to come out soon—because I want it to.”

  I smiled in the darkness and added, “And Lord, thank you for all you have given to us and for watching over our family. We are truly blessed. Please be with those who need you most.” Then Paul remembered, “Oh, and Lord, please be with those kids in the hospital who have surgeries coming up and are really sick. Make them better and make their families happy.” I finished up the prayer with “We ask this in Your Name” as we said together—“Amen.”

  There were many times right after Paul’s last surgery when just hearing him say these prayers would make me tear up. Tonight, the prayers bring a grateful smile to my face. “Good night, Daddy. I love you really a lot,” Paul said. “I love you really a lot too, buddy,” I said, as I rubbed Paul’s back until he too was breathing deeply like his little brother.

  After three open-heart surgeries, seven angioplasties and a stomach surgery—and with at least one or two more open-heart operations to come—Paul is truly an inspiration to me. Even though he’s only six, he has taught me a lot. He’s made me a better dad, a better husband, a better anchor; he’s just made me better. I hope his story can inspire others and provide comfort to those who are going through tough times. There’s a reason why Paul is still with us and I truly believe this book is a part of it. God has a plan for him and our family is going to soak in and celebrate every moment of it.

  Photos

  My early days working at WJWJ-TV in Hilton Head, South Carolina — 1992. For the record — the 16 on the building is not a reference to how old I looked when I first started appearing on air.

  Reporting in Baghdad, Iraq — 2003. This was during one of twenty-three trips I made to the region while working as Fox News National Security Correspondent and Chief White House Correspondent.

  Reporting on Taliban attacks outside Kabul, Afghanistan — 2005. Meeting many of the men and women who serve our country in extremely difficult circumstances convinced me The Greatest Generation should not be reserved only for heroes of the past.

  Working the phone outside the West Wing as Chief White House Correspondent — 2007. Despite the challenges of the job, I never lost my sense of awe and wonder about where I went to work each day.

  Airborne news conference with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld aboard Air Force Three. That’s me in the lower right corner preparing to unfurl a question that hopefully might generate some news.

  Shooting some informal hallway walking video with President George W. Bush following a sit-down interview in the White House Map Room — 2006.

  Interviewing President Barack Obama in the Blue Room just three days before Congress passed his signature health care bill known as Obamacare — March 2010.

  Amy and I enjoy a night out at a Washington Capitals hockey game.

  Amy and I attend the Children’s Ball charity event in Washington, D.C. I think I forgot to send Amy the memo about maximum height for high heels.

  Happy times in the Sibley Hospital maternity ward just a few hours before we learn that Paul was born with life threatening congenital heart defects.

  Despite serious heart complications, Amy and I still enjoy being able to do some of the normal things with our precious two day-old Paul.

  Amy and I are all smiles in the Children’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) immediately following Paul’s highly successful first open heart surgery.

  The Baier-Hills troops gather around Paul following his first surgery. Amy and I wouldn’t have made it through any of Paul’s hospitalizations without the loving support of our family and friends.

  The legendary “Grandma Brigade” — our mothers Pat Baier and Barbie Hills. Two loving moms once again stepping in to help their children — always with smiles and tons of encouragement.

  Paul makes a new friend one day before returning to Children’s National Medical Center for his second open heart operation — 2008.

  Amy snuggles with Paul in the Children’s CICU a few days after his second open-heart surgery.

  The doctors, nurses and staff at Children’s National Medical Center have been there for us throughout all of Paul’s hospitalizations. Amy and I were constantly amazed by their dedication, professionalism and the way they treated Paul as if he were one of their own.

  A few days after his second surgery, I do my best to coax Paul back to sleep.

  Paul and I tend to serious matters at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Many nights during Paul’s first year I would lie awake and wonder if this picture would ever become a reality.

  Paul welcomes his brand new brother Daniel to the world — July 2010. These days the boys are inseparable — best friends for life.

  Dr. Daniel gives big brother Paul a medical check-up in Naples, Florida — August 2013.

  Smiles begin to return after Paul’s third open heart surgery at Children’s National Medical Center — September 2013.

  Paul walks the halls of Children’s with his good friend Alice Caroline Marriott who reminds him “the more you walk, the faster you can go home.”

  Cool Paul chilling out in recovery and eager to head home from the hospital. With all he has been through, I sometimes have to remind myself that Paul is still only six years old.

  Paul, Daniel, Dr. Richard Jonas and I deliver Christmas presents to some of the kids on the heart and kidney floor at Children’s National — December 2013.

  All four of us decked out in running gear at the Race for Children 5K in Washington, D.C. just days after Paul’s third open heart surgery.

  Paul crosses the finish line — a true champion in every sense of the word.

  Amy, Paul and Daniel join me on the Special Report set in the Fox News Washington bureau. Regarding future jobs in television — Amy always gets a kick out of telling people all three of her boys have Baier Hair.

  Acknowledgments

  Although it has been a few years since I played competitive team sports, I am very fortunate to say I am still part of two Hall-of-Fame teams.

  The first—the team of men and women of Fox News and specifically those who help get Special Report on the air every night. I am humbled by their daily commitment to excellence as they toil to make the show the best it can be night after night. My name mi
ght be built into the opening title graphics, but these dedicated professionals make up the show’s foundation and are responsible for the great success we have had over the years. More importantly—they have been a great source of strength and support to Amy and me throughout all of Paul’s surgeries and hospitalizations.

  I would especially like to thank Fox News president and CEO Roger Ailes who saw something in me many years ago and plucked me out of local TV to work for Fox News Channel. Roger has never missed an opportunity to help me succeed, and for that I am forever grateful. Roger has also been incredibly supportive of me and my family throughout all of Paul's health challenges. Above all else, Roger values family—something I have seen firsthand time and again. And I value his friendship and the example he has been in my life over the years.

  A special thank you also to former Special Report anchor—now senior political analyst—Brit Hume, for his unwavering support, both personally and professionally. Brit’s shared insights and concern for me and my family has meant more than he will ever know.

  Another great team I am privileged to be part of are the doctors, nurses, staff and technicians at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Until Paul was admitted for his first surgery in June 2007, Amy and I had never even heard of Children’s. Now, not a day goes by without us thinking about the people there, their professionalism and the many kindnesses extended to the Baier family over the past seven years.

  Special Heart details my overflowing gratitude to Drs. Richard Jonas, Gerard Martin, Deneen Heath, Michael Slack, and Kurt Newman and their colleagues.

  To the hundreds of other unnamed nurses, doctors, and staff at Children’s who are working every day to keep Paul—and all the other boys and girls—healthy and happy, I offer a heartfelt “Thank you” for your service and dedication.

  I would also like to thank Jim Mills, writer and collaborator on this project. Jim's ability to capture my voice as we bounced copy back and forth, refining every last word, has been invaluable. What started a year and a half ago as an informal conversation with a friend and former colleague about one day working on a project together became a real book because of some great teamwork. My manager, Larry Kramer, and book agent, Claudia Cross, greatly helped to keep this project on track and get it across the finish line.

  Lastly, and most importantly, Amy and I would like to thank those unknown parents, who, in their deepest moments of grief and despair, somehow found the grace to allow their child’s organs to be donated so that others might live. On behalf of our son Paul—and all the other children who live and breathe because of your courage—our prayer is that the peace of God “which passes all understanding” will truly be yours forever. Thank you.

  An Interview with Paul’s Heart Surgeon—Dr. Richard Jonas

  Bret: Dr. Jonas, this, of course, is not the first time I’ve said this to you. But, for the record: on behalf of the entire Baier-Hills family—I want to say a heartfelt Thank You. Your diligence and ongoing efforts to give Paul a second chance at life have been absolutely amazing. Just the other day Paul had basketball practice and while he was running up the court he turned to me and said, “Daddy, I can run faster now!” I said, “You sure can, buddy!” So, for that moment—and a thousand more just like it—a sincere Thank You.

  Dr. Jonas: It’s been my pleasure. I think I warned you right after the last operation—when we replaced that obstructed tube that was in there—Paul actually might have more energy than you really wanted. You may want to turn it down a bit. [laughter]

  Bret: No. He’s doing fantastic and we can’t thank you enough! You’ve operated on Paul’s heart three times now. Going back to that first operation in July 2007, I wonder if you can remember what you thought when you learned of his case—when you saw his chart for the first time?

  Dr. Jonas: Well, Paul had a very complicated combination of problems. He really had four or five major problems with his heart. A lot of the operations that we do are modular—essentially one module on top of another on top of another. Paul was going to require a very complex operation because his problems sort of worked one against the other. That meant that the design and the construction of his new heart was going to be pretty challenging. He also was just a newborn so we were dealing with fragile tissue. Even the tiny needles that we use for stitching blood vessels together make a big enough hole and newborn blood doesn’t clot very well. So, with hundreds and hundreds of needle holes, you’re looking at a risk of significant bleeding for a big, reconstructive operation like Paul needed. Trepidation would probably be the best term to describe how I felt as I looked at the challenging combination of problems that Paul had.

  Bret: It was so complex. His heart was about the size of a walnut and you’re reconstructing the entire thing.

  Dr. Jonas: Well, we use a lot of magnification. It doesn’t look like a walnut with a lot of magnification. So—you sort of step into a different world, and things don’t seem as small once you’re in there.

  Bret: One of the reasons I wanted to talk to you today was so folks might get an idea about some of the advances in pediatric heart disease—pediatric heart surgery—over the years. Jumping right in: what has changed, even since Paul’s first surgery to now?

  Dr. Jonas: Well—really the biggest changes occurred in the late 1970s as I was just starting out in this field. Prior to that, operating on newborns with Paul’s level of complexity would be quite impossible. He would not have survived.

  Bret: No chance?

  Dr. Jonas: He probably wouldn’t even have been diagnosed as to what his real problem was before he would have passed away. In the late 1970s—a new medication came along—Prostaglandin. And that meant you could keep a child alive for at least a week or two—long enough to diagnose their problem. At that point we also didn’t have diagnostic methods like echocardiography. It was in the late 1970s that ultrasound techniques were developed so you could diagnose a problem with minimal invasion. You could just put a probe on the chest and begin to understand how complex the problem was. Those were huge developments when they came along in the late 1970s. That really opened the whole field of neonatal, newborn heart surgery, which was what Paul was able to benefit from.

  There have also been other advances in the heart surgery field in the last ten to fifteen years. Unfortunately, they’re in areas that don’t really directly benefit Paul. The most important area has been in ventricular assist devices like Vice President Cheney had implanted in his chest. These new miniaturized electric pumps really revolutionized the care for someone who’s got muscle failure—if the heart muscle is burned out because of repeated heart attacks. Occasionally you see that in a very young child who’s developed a viral infection and the heart muscle just suddenly stops, or at least weakens so rapidly that they need support with a mechanical device. So ventricular assist devices have really advanced tremendously in the past ten to fifteen years.

  Bret: What about developments in the whole area of understanding what actually causes congenital heart defects? Genetic or environmental factors?

  Dr. Jonas: There’s a lot of work going on in that exact area and we’re going to know a lot more in probably another ten years or so. The human genome was only first fully analyzed about 2001 and it costs billions of dollars. Now you can do a whole human genome analysis for $1,000 or maybe a couple thousand dollars. There’s just been an explosion of data over the past several years. Suddenly, we’ve got genetic information from lots and lots of people with heart problems. Trying to decode all of that data and figure out what change in that person’s genome is responsible for a particular heart problem (is extremely difficult). So, there’s a massive amount of decoding going on right now. It’s actually pretty confusing. I think we’re in the stage of just having too much information and really not knowing how to interpret it. But it will (eventually) lead to a really good understanding of what causes congenital heart problems. Hopefully in the future this will lead to actually being able to eliminate congenita
l heart problems altogether.

  Bret: We talked a lot about this in the book. But, Amy and I were completely blindsided by all this. That first day we were told Paul was perfect. Then just one day after he was born, Dr. Gerard Martin made the diagnosis of Paul’s heart defects at Sibley Hospital…

  Dr. Jonas: …Though in some ways that (not knowing) can be a blessing in disguise.

  Bret: True. Amy and I have talked a lot about that.

  Dr. Jonas: It’s stressful for families to know three or four months before their baby’s born that they’re going to be dealing with a heart problem. I mean, if they’re very careful planners they can look beyond the stress and use the information to plan how they are going to deal with it—where they’re going to go to have the surgery, who their surgeon’s going to be, that sort of thing. But…

  Bret: You know us too well…

  Dr. Jonas: You and Amy were just remarkable. We have a lot of families who are hit with all that scary information at one time. They’ve been through the stress of pregnancy, the exhaustion of a delivery and then they are shocked to find out their child has a heart problem. But, I have to say—there has never been a couple like you and Amy. You guys were just so remarkable the way you took the information in, processed it, and were calm and considerate of the other families who were there, of the staff and really just loving and comforting Paul in every way. It was truly—and this is a completely unpaid solicitation—I mean, that’s truly from the heart. It was quite remarkable how composed and how well you dealt with what was a very stressful situation.