Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Songs Help Sisters Prepare for Heart Surgery

To prepare for their life-changing surgeries at Dell Children’s, sisters Heidi and Harper Gaffney from San Antonio turned to music to help them relax. For both girls, the choice of artists was clear—Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Olivia Rodrigo.

Heidi, 17, and Harper, 13, were diagnosed as infants with a genetic heart condition that thickens the heart muscle, making it difficult for their hearts to pump blood. A recent heart catheterization revealed their hearts were at risk of failing, prompting doctors to recommend immediate intervention.

“Without doing anything, they would go into cardiac arrest and be unresuscitable,” said Dr. Erin Gottlieb, chief of pediatric cardiac anesthesiology at the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease. Both sisters required left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) to help their hearts pump blood and improve their health until they qualify for heart transplants.

Two Sisters Face a Challenging Diagnosis

Heidi’s condition was first detected at three months old when she had an ear infection that wouldn’t clear up. Harper, one of prematurely born quadruplets, was also diagnosed with the condition along with two of her brothers. While their brothers have not needed treatment, Heidi and Harper’s hearts showed recent alarming deterioration.

Their mother, Ashley Gaffney, also has a genetic heart condition but has managed her symptoms with medication. “Up until pretty recently, that was what we thought would be the path for the girls,” said Ashley. As their needs became more urgent, the family sought a new cardiac team at Dell Children’s, where they found hope.

Dell Children’s congenital heart program is expanding rapidly, attracting patients from Texas and beyond. With plans to add more surgeons, anesthesiologists, and a new heart catheterization lab, the center aims to become a leading heart care destination in Central Texas. “This children’s hospital is becoming what the community deserves,” said Dr. Charles Fraser, head of the center.

The Sisters Navigate Surgery

Given the rapidly deteriorating condition of their hearts, both sisters’ surgeries were considered high-risk. Typically, anesthesia takes 30 seconds, but for Heidi and Harper, the process required 15 minutes, with the medication administered slowly to avoid shocking their systems.

To keep the girls calm, Dr. Gottlieb and her team meticulously planned every detail—from the hug zone where parents say goodbye to the ambiance in the operating room. When Heidi noted she wasn’t falling asleep, Dr. Gottlieb reassured her, saying, “Let’s listen to another Taylor Swift song.”

The music played until the girls were fully asleep, allowing Dr. Fraser and his team to focus on the procedures. During surgery, Dr. Fraser held each girl’s hand, monitoring subtle changes in their pulses and offering comfort.

Life After Surgery

Now back home in San Antonio, the sisters are adjusting to life with their LVADs. “I feel like we just feel more energized,” Harper shared, while Heidi observed how “spunky” Harper has become. Although they need to be mindful of their devices, avoiding water and activities like skateboarding, they’re embracing their new normal.

The sisters share the responsibility of managing their LVADs, each carrying batteries in pink fanny packs connected to their devices. “We did it together,” said Harper—a bond that only they fully understand.

Looking ahead, Heidi is considering a career as a pediatric nurse, while Harper dreams of becoming a pastry chef. With heart transplants on the horizon, their spirits remain high, especially with a special event on the calendar: seeing Taylor Swift in New Orleans this October.

“We’ve scheduled a lot of these things around Taylor Swift,” Ashley Gaffney said with a laugh, showing that even in the face of challenges, there’s always something to look forward to.