Aid Tucker's Journey to Remission and Recovery

My name is Bailey Dye. My grandmother, Ginny Bailey, and I started this fundraiser for my family after encouragement from friends and loved ones. The outpour of love along with the offers of support and prayers have been overwhelming and so appreciated.

My little brother, Tucker, who turned 16 this year was just released from the hospital after 13 days. He was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis – a chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease.

His symptoms were severe – requiring days of IV pain relief, steroids, and a blood transfusion. He also received the first (three) biologic infusions, which ease inflammation and help heal the damage caused by the disease.

Tucker recently started his junior year of high school. He was locked in! Ready for a year of academically challenging classes and pumped about starting football season. After a busy summer attending college lacrosse camps, he was looking forward to Tuesday night pick-up games with friends to prep for the upcoming season.

After the pre-season football scrimmage, Tucker started experiencing stomach pain with some alarming symptoms indicating bowel inflammation. My mom (Becky) was concerned . . .

She called a nurse line and was advised to take him to a children’s hospital ER.

ER doc sent him home with a dx of constipation. They followed the treatment plan, but his symptoms got worse.

She called the nurse line again and was advised to take him to urgent care.

Urgent care couldn’t help – sent him across the street to the ER (different from before)

ER performed a CT scan and saw evidence of UC but couldn’t begin treatment because they didn’t have a pediatric GI specialist on staff – sent them to the (other) children’s ER.

The children’s ER reviewed the CT scan from the previous ER. They said they didn’t see evidence of UC – sent him home with a dx of stomach pain and high lipase along with 3 days of NSAID pain medication.

Tucker’s pain increased and symptoms continued. My mom called his PCP for help (told to make an ER f/u appt – first available in 7 days); she called the GI specialist the hospital referred her to – left a message, but never received a response (it was Friday).

Sunday morning, mom took Tucker to a children’s hospital affiliated urgent care. The doctor at the urgent care contacted the (first) ER and told him she was sending him and he needed additional testing. At this point, he had lost 20 lbs in 2.5 weeks.

The fourth visit to the ER resulted in admission. Over his 13 day stay, they performed an MRI, endoscopy, colonoscopy, multiple blood tests, a blood transfusion.

The treatment he received in the hospital helped - the worst symptoms are now under control, so doctors allowed him to continue recovering at home.

The reality of living life with a chronic disease is starting to set in. UC is different for everyone, and this is an unpredictable disease. We are hoping that with treatment, the disease will go into remission quickly.

Remission will not only give Tucker some much needed relief but will allow him to learn more about the disease and how it will affect his life, knowing that the symptoms will likely return.

The funds raised will be used for medical expenses and to replace lost income from my mother being unable to work while caring for Tucker’s needs. Tucker requires treatment every time he has a flare up and will need medications for the rest of his life. This is an expensive and stressful process, and we are just at the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and acceptance.

Asking for help, especially money, is never easy. We don't do this lightly. The support our community is showing Tucker has been a light amid a dark chapter in our family. It has also been so transformative for Tucker to feel such support, reminding him that during periods of pain and fear, God and our community will rally behind him.