Please help support Nikki and her unborn son, Tucker Jay.

To say Nikki was surprised when she learned this spring that she was expecting her second son, 17 years after the birth of her first, is an understatement. But she quickly fell in love with the reality of baby Tucker completing her family, along with her firstborn son and best friend, Weston.

As many of you have likely experienced in some way, Nikki's pregnancy was immediately labeled high risk because of her age. All pregnancies after the age of 35 are. But Nikki soon started to experience some health issues like elevated blood pressure, extreme fatigue, and swelling.

On July 14, what was supposed to be a routine ultrasound appointment resulted in Nikki being sent directly to Asheville and admitted to labor and delivery until baby Tucker is born. She's been diagnosed with superimposed preeclampsia with severe features. There are placenta insufficiencies, and the baby is about 10 days behind in expected growth. Doctors will administer steroids to help baby Tucker's lungs develop in case they need to take baby boy earlier than anticipated. The hope is to get Nikki to 34 weeks to deliver baby Tucker. She is currently 24 weeks along. Please pray she makes it to 34 weeks! This means Nikki is expected to be in the hospital for 10 weeks for intensive monitoring on her and baby boy.

As we all know, medical care is expensive, and hospital stays along with NICU costs are VERY expensive. Obviously, Nikki can't work now and will need extra time away from work after Tucker's birth to recover and care for him.

It would be a beautiful gift to Nikki if you can help to offset the forthcoming cost of medical care for her and Tucker. Nikki has not asked for help other than visits from friends and did not know a GoFundMe would be started for her. But we know this community will rally around one of their own in a time of need. We've seen you all move mountains in the past to help others.

Thank you for anything you can give and for continued prayers for Nikki, baby Tucker, and Weston.

Update: Welcome to the world Tucker Jay Beam. Born at 12:17 P.M. and weighing only 1 pound 4 ounces, he made his entrance into this world in dramatic fashion at only 25 weeks and 6 days. Mama is recovering and Tucker is doing great so far. My little miracle ♥️

Update: Good morning! As most of you know, I’ve had quite the journey over the last 3 weeks. I’ve been unable to work since being admitted to the hospital and that’s not changing any time soon. I have a recovery period and I’m also sweet Tucker’s only support. He will remain in the Nicu for a while and I need to be by his side as much as possible. The thought of him lying there alone wrecks my soul. This does put us in a financial strain but we’ve overcome much worse. If you could donate anything at all we would be very appreciative. All money goes to monthly bills, food, travel, and necessities. I’ll be staying at the rathbun house near the hospital for a bit, but I will be commuting daily from Marion after that. If it’s easier, my Venmo is @nikki-beam-2. We also desperately need your prayers to keep coming. It takes a village ♥️