COTA for Team Tucker

Our Story

Tucker’s Journey: A Story of Strength, Love, and Hope 💙

In March 2023, we received the joyous news that we were expecting our third baby. Excitement filled our hearts as we eagerly anticipated meeting Tucker. But at our 20-week ultrasound, everything changed. We learned there was something abnormal with Tucker’s stomach, and we were quickly referred to Texas Children’s Fetal Intervention.

That’s when we discovered that Tucker had a rare condition known as Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO), causing his bladder to distend and urine to back up into his kidneys, leading to damage. In the coming weeks, we were also diagnosed with Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), putting Tucker at risk of respiratory distress when he was born.

Despite all the challenges, Tucker continued to grow, and on October 24th, 2023, our little fighter entered the world at 5 lbs 15 oz. But shortly after birth, Tucker stopped breathing. The amazing NICU team at Texas Children’s jumped into action, saving his life and stabilizing him with every resource available.

Just two days later, we learned that Tucker needed dialysis to survive. With a 50/50 chance of success due to his size, we faced one of the hardest moments of our lives. But Tucker’s strength shined through, and he was successfully placed on continuous dialysis. Every day was a battle, but Tucker kept fighting.

In the NICU, Tucker faced more challenges, including a suspected stroke that was confirmed through an MRI. Despite this, our little warrior met all his milestones, and his resilience inspired us every day. By January 2024, Tucker was breathing on his own and thriving on the dialysis machine, bringing us closer to taking him home.

After 133 long days in the NICU, we were finally able to bring Tucker home on March 4th, 2024. It was a day we’ll never forget—watching him see his home and sleep in his own bed for the first time filled us with overwhelming joy.

Now, as we look ahead to December 2024, Tucker is preparing for his first kidney transplant, and we have high hopes that his dad, Nathan, will be able to give him the ultimate gift of life.

To help us, we have partnered with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association. 100% of funds raised in honor of Tucker will assist with a lifetime of transplant-related expenses. Please consider donating to COTA for Team Tucker!

Tucker’s journey is far from over, but his progress has been nothing short of miraculous.

Every day, Tucker faces medications, dialysis treatments, and medical care, but you’d never know it from the smile on his face. He loves to roll around, play with his toys, laugh with his big sister, and enjoy the great outdoors. His spirit is unbreakable.

We are incredibly grateful for the support and prayers from friends, family, and everyone who has followed Tucker’s journey. The doctors, nurses, and therapists at Texas Children’s Hospital have become our family, and we are endlessly thankful for their life-saving care.

Thank you for taking the time to read Tucker’s story. His journey is one of strength, hope, and love, and we are so proud of our little fighter.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) helps children and young adults who need a life-saving transplant by providing fundraising assistance and family support. COTA is the nation’s only fundraising organization solely dedicated to raising life-saving dollars in honor of transplant-needy children and young adults. 100% of each contribution made to COTA in honor of our patients helps meet transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are free to our families, and gifts to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.