Mile 22

Spencer and Tiffany Smith were overjoyed to learn they were expecting a baby boy, Archie, in November 2020. However, at Tiffany’s 20-week anatomy scan, doctors identified serious concerns: Archie had Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome (HRHS), meaning the right side of his heart was underdeveloped, and his right upper arm hadn’t formed completely. Despite a recommendation to terminate the pregnancy, the Smiths chose to proceed, viewing Archie as their blessing.​

​Archie was born via C-section at 35 weeks and 5 days in Birmingham, Alabama. Though he faced multiple heart defects, including tricuspid atresia and septal defects, his initial condition allowed doctors to delay open-heart surgery. After two weeks in the NICU, he went home with a feeding tube.​

Soon after, Archie developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal condition. He was admitted to Manning Family Children’s Hospital, where his care team managed the condition without surgery. After a brief discharge, he was readmitted due to recurring symptoms but recovered with a formula change and close monitoring​

​At six months old, Archie underwent the Glenn procedure, his first open-heart surgery, performed by Dr. Timothy Pettitt. The surgery rerouted blood flow to improve oxygenation. His recovery was swift, and he returned home within a week.​

​Now three years old, Archie is thriving and full of energy. He continues regular check-ups with his pediatric cardiologist, Dr. James Krulisky. He is recovering well after receiving his last procedure, in June 2025!