Deer Park Child Exhibits Resilience After Third Open-Heart Surgery

Nine-year-old Deer Park resident Cora Schaefer dreams of getting back in the saddle. The Deer Park HomeLink student said she loves riding horses more than anything. She enjoys swimming, camping, and going on adventures, whether they're real or imagined. She added she loves dogs, cows and horses, watching “The Incredible Dr. Pol,” sipping boba tea, eating watermelon and drinking root beer floats, and spending time with her family. According to her mom, Monica Schaefer, she's also a "full-blown daddy's girl." But this summer, instead of spending her days outdoors, Cora has been fighting one of the biggest battles of her young life.

Born with a congenital heart defect, Monica said Cora underwent her first openheart surgery when she was just 4 months old, followed by a second at 9 months old. She said doctors determined only days after her birth that her mitral valve was faulty and would need to be replaced as she grew. Cora underwent her third open-heart surgery on July 2 at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, where surgeons performed a mitral valve repair during a procedure that lasted about nine hours.

"She has shown so much strength and resilience to get her through this surgery and on her way to recovery," Monica said. Although Cora has al- ways been limited from playing contact sports because of her heart condition, that has never slowed her down. "She is very strong-willed but also makes sure she is kind to everyone," Monica said. "She loves to play and have adventures, whether it's imaginary play or active playing." The days following surgery proved to be far more difficult than anyone expected. After initially recovering well, Monica said Cora suffered a cardiac arrest the following day and required CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Later that night, she experienced another cardiac arrest, and medical staff intervened again before additional complications could occur. Monica said doctors placed her under heavy sedation and a paralytic while they worked to determine why her body was struggling. "The hardest part was watching CPR being per- formed and fearing we might lose her," Monica said. For Monica, one memory from surgery day remains especially vivid. "The feeling when they wheel my daughter away from me right be- fore surgery is always so hard," she said. Despite everything she has endured, Cora has continued to show the same kindness and de- termination that defines her. Before surgery, she had only one moment of uncertainty. "I reassured her we would be with her every step of the way," Monica said. "She was just excited to have her heart working better."

Cora spent 12 days on a ventilator before reaching several major milestones. Monica said Cora can now breathe on her own, speak with her family, drink small amounts of water, and tell her parents what she needs. One of the first things she asked for after waking up? "Boba," Monica said. "She seems surprisingly happy, but annoyed we won't just give her water." Even during frustrating moments, Monica said her daughter has remained "so kind and sweet." Doctors continue monitoring Cora for infection and irregular heart rhythms while carefully reducing the strong medications she has been receiving, Monica said. Because her sternum was opened during surgery, she will also have to limit physical activity as she heals.

Recovery has been, in Monica's words, "bumpy and scary," but Cora continues making progress. Throughout the ordeal, Monica said their family has been surrounded by support from friends, relatives, and the Deer Park community. Cora's classmates and staff at Deer Park HomeLink, her Girl Scout troop, their church family, and countless friends have offered prayers, meals, encouragement, assistance with hotel stays, and help caring for the family's son and animals while they remain at the hospital. "It's hard to find the words to express how deeply grateful we are to everyone for the love and support we have gotten," Monica said.

"We feel truly blessed and grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people." The experience has changed the family's perspective. "To not take small things for granted – these things aren't just said in passing; they are very true," Monica said. "We will never be the same after this experience, and we hope to never forget how scary it was, but always remember how important family is." She also hopes people take away something important from Cora's story. "Not to look at her and feel sorry for her," Monica said.

"Look at her and see her strength and determination." As for Cora, her goals are wonderfully simple. She said she wants to leave the hospital, return home, run with her friends, and, most of all, ride horses again. For Monica, there's only one thing she wants even more. "I'm most excited to have her come back home and feel like a family again."