One out of every hundred
babies is born with a congenital heart issue. Some problems are pinpointed and
diagnosed early, while others go undetected for years. When Bret and Amy Baier joyfully
gave birth to their son, Paul, in 2007, he was a "perfect," healthy baby. But less than 24 hours later, through a
seeming coincidence—or more likely, providence—a substitute nurse assigned to
the newborn didn't like something about Paul's color and alerted doctors. Paul
was later diagnosed with a complicated combination of five major heart defects,
the most serious and life-threatening being that his "walnut-sized heart"
was pumping in the wrong direction.
The main story that
ensues in Special Heart: A Journey of Faith,
Hope, Courage and Love is an intimate and detailed account of Paul's
harrowing struggle to survive as his parents face hard choices amid his critical
health condition. What hospital was best
for Paul? Which pediatric surgeon would be the most experienced and capable to handle the delicacy of reconstructing
and rebuilding Paul's fragile heart with vessels as "narrow as angel hair pasta"? And how long could the couple wait to make such life-changing decisions?
Along the way, Bret Baier, noted journalist and anchor of
"Special
Report," gives a well-told, anecdote-filled back story of his life—his
years as a traveling reporter whose goal was to break into the Washington news
business; how he met his wife, Amy, and courted her; his passion for golf; and
his ascent en route to becoming the Chief White House Correspondent and
ultimately manning the helm of a successful daily news program. These details offer
a fully drawn portrait of Baier and enhance an era of his life when he and Amy had
their faith and courage tested amid the challenges of Paul's unexpected medical
crisis.
Throughout,
the story is touch-and-go and stirring. Baier and his co-writer,
Jim Mills, render it with perfect balance, blending facts with raw, emotional honesty, which
makes for a riveting, page-turning read. From the time of Paul's birth until
he turns six years-old, he bravely endures three open heart surgeries,
seven angioplasties and one unrelated stomach surgery. The most moving parts of the memoir are the reprinted
emails Baier sent to family, friends and others concerned and interested in the
Baiers' journey, those who also offered love, support and the power of prayer. These passages are deeply personal and revealing.
They shed light into the mind and soul of a sincere, sensitive person grappling
with his faith, fate and the future.
In the
end, all "Three Baiers" are physically, emotional and spiritually
transformed by an experience that continues to require diligent, ongoing effort.
At its core, "Special Heart" emerges as an inspirational story of hope
from a man in the public eye unafraid to share the depth of his experiences in
order to help and heal others.
* Note: One hundred percent of what the author
receives from the sale of this book is donated to various non-profit pediatric
heart causes.
Publication Date: June 3, 2014
