Tucker's Team

Our grandson, Tucker Forrester, was born on August 1, 2014 and faced challenges from the start. He was in such a hurry to join us he didn’t get the necessary squeeze in the birth canal to get his lungs going. Very scary for our daughter (and first time mom), Stacey, and our son-in-law Josh! The medical staff at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis got him breathing and gave him a newborn exam, only to find he had no anus—a condition called imperforate anus. Before he was 2 days old, Tucker had his first surgery to create a colostomy so he could pass waste. The surgery, combined with his breathing issues, led to a 10 day stay in the NICU. He will need at least 2 more surgeries: the first to create an anus and another to reverse the ostomy and allow his body to pass waste normally.  Because imperforate anus is often accompanied by other medical issues, Tucker’s doctors did several tests. Those tests showed that Tucker has only one kidney and one of the valves in his heart has only two “flaps” rather than three. Many people live and flourish with one kidney and the doctors told Stacey and Josh that if the heart valve causes problems it may not be until Tucker reaches middle age and can be fixed at that time. Since then it has also been discovered that Tucker has hearing loss. The doctors are hopeful that tubes will cure much of the issue but it is very possible that he will need at least one, if not two, hearing aids.

All of Tucker’s challenges can be dealt with to give him a normal life, but there is a cost. Stacey and Josh both have good jobs but once the medical bills started coming in their incomes aren’t enough to keep up. Stacey took a short maternity leave due to the bills and to save some paid time off so she can be with Tucker for his next surgeries. Josh only had one week of paid time off, but did take two weeks (one unpaid) to do a rotation schedule at the hospital with Stacey so someone was always there for Tucker and to be able to finally bring him home. The stress from the financial situation is hard on them when all they want to do is take care of their family which includes two children at home, Zach and Lauren.

As Tucker’s Grandma, I would ask for your support for Tucker and his family.  Any amount big or small is a huge help.  I can provide moral support, I can pray for them and I can ask you to please help Tucker and his family. If you can’t help with financial support, please support them with your prayers.  Donations will be used to supplement lost income due to hospital stays and appointments.  They will also be used for deductibles, co-pays, prescriptions and any other medications that Tucker might need.

Josh, Stacey and their family are more grateful than any words can express. 

Thank you and God bless!
Teri Klaehn