As parents, we all have dreams for our children. While we may have various ideas for how they realize those dreams, the culmination of them is all the same. We dream for safety, love, happiness, health, success, and most of all, we dream for them to be saved by Jesus. What is special about this situation is that the culmination of the Hinson's dreams has already been realized. Tucker is safe in God’s arms, loved beyond measure in Heaven and on earth, filled with a happiness we can only dream of, completely healed, and successful in the fact that he is fully mature in Christ. He got instant Heaven. There is a vision of Tucker surrounded in brightness, smiling as he holds Jesus’ hand, and looking down at his family as he says, “I can’t wait for them to get here and see me now.”
Tucker Cross Hinson was born on July 1, 2012 at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. He was diagnosed before birth with a rare chromosomal abnormality called Pallister-Killian Syndrome. Tucker also had a diaphragmatic hernia and problems associated with his PKS. Shortly after his miraculous birth, Tucker was placed on the ECMO machine due to his lungs being undeveloped. While on the ECMO machine, Tucker underwent a critical surgery to repair his CDH. While the surgery was successful, Tucker was unable to heal properly and his organs began to shut down. Tucker went to be with God on July 25, 2012 as he was being held in the loving arms of his parents. This blog post is written in honor of Tucker and his amazing presence on this earth.
Even in the womb, Tucker was touching lives with a smile. Here are some unbelievable sonogram and MRI photos of him.
An entire community of family and friends in Vidalia, LA and Natchez, MS came together to support Tucker and his family throughout his mom's pregnancy and Tucker's life. His parents, Kayce and Brett are an inspiration to many because of their strength and faith in God. Tucker has touched the hearts of others from all over the country, and is a shining example of how every life, no matter how brief, is full of purpose in Christ.
A replacement blood drive was held for Tucker, and long lines formed outside as tons of people waited to give blood for him. After his passing, a softball tournament was hosted to raise funds for Tucker's Family. Family and friends also lit candles and released balloons and lanterns for Tucker to honor his life and remember him.
Mississippi College (Daddy's alma mater) hosted an alumni baseball game in honor of Tucker Cross to raise funds for Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
The current baseball team visited Children's Hospital to deliver $1000.00 in honor of Tucker. They also spent the day visiting patients.
Lights were placed on the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital Christmas Tree this year in honor of Tucker.
Tucker's picture was featured in the CHERUBS 2013 Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness Calendar to help raise awareness of CDH.
With amazing strength, Brett and Kayce attended the Blair E. Batson Radiothon to share their story with listeners as they encouraged others to donate to the place they called home for many nights. They were reunited with PICU staff who had become like family throughout their stay in the hospital. Tucker's mom and dad had 25 days with him at Batson, and they will forever be thankful for those moments. They were also excited to share the news that they are now expecting another child- Tucker's brother or sister!
You can listen to their radio interviews by using this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0va-hwd8ME&list=UUqid6yBDhLr30nBTCDbn6vA&index=3
A note from Tucker's Mom, Kayce...
Well 2012 has been the best and worse year of my life. A year I will never forget. I think it is safe to say I have grown so much in this one year's time. I have had to deal with more than some people will ever deal with in their entire lives. I am not writing this for people to feel sorry for me but for people to learn from this, for people to be drawn closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,because without Him I am nothing. We were blessed with 25 amazing days with Tucker and that is something I will forever be grateful for. Most people think that they would just absolutely die if this happened to them and I too even thought that before it happened to me. The truth is, if it wasn't for the peace of our Lord I would not have had the strength to endure all of this. He is my strength and He is the One who blessed us with such an amazing child who changed so many people's lives. Yes, there is not a second that goes by that I don't think of Tucker, and long for him to be here with me but he is healthy and happy and so much better off than we are. He is the lucky one that God chose and I am the lucky one he chose to be his mother. Until that day that we meet again I know he is safe in the arms of God and that God will continue to give me the peace and strength to continue on using Tucker's life as His testimony.
I want to leave y'all with the lyrics to this awesome song that has touched my heart so deeply.
"Even If" by Kutless
Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are
Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come
Lord we know Your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are
You're still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You're working all things for our good
Well sing Your praise
You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn't come
Even if the healing doesn't come
Helen Keller once said, “"What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Tucker is a part of his parents and has touched countless people who will be forever impacted by his precious life. They are also touched by the Hinson's testimony of faith, strength, and diligence as they fought for their amazing little boy. They never gave up, and their story will never be forgotten.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
~Megan B.
Tucker had Pallister-Killian Syndrome....
Pallister-Killian Syndrome or PKS is a rare disorder which occurs for no known reason. It involves a double duplication of the short arm of chromosome 12. It is also a mosaicism. This means that only a certain number of cells are affected by the extra parts of the chromosome. Some cells are normal.
PKS is currently known to affect less than 200-300 children in the world. Some doctors believe the rate of incidence should be as high as 2,000 cases in the U.S. alone.
So, why aren’t there more cases…?
We believe there are cases out there that need more testing to ensure an accurate diagnosis!
Testing is done via skin biopsy, blood work or a buccal smear (cells removed from the inside of one’s cheek). If nothing shows in the blood, often doctors will leave it at that.
However, often, affected cells leave the bloodstream after just a few days leaving no trace of anything wrong. If the child appears to have a disorder, always follow up with a skin biopsy or a less-invasive buccal smear.
Right now, many doctors don’t know much about PKS. The information in medical documents and the internet is very outdated. Doctors tell families what they know but that information may no longer be accurate.
PKS Kids is trying to change that through educational materials and opportunities.
One thing is certain; all these children are unique.
*Information taken from: http://www.pkskids.net/medicalresearchinfo.php
along with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia...
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully form, allowing
abdominal organs into the chest cavity and preventing lung growth. CDH occurs in 1 of
every 2500 births; somewhere in the world, a baby is born with CDH every 10 minutes.
50% of babies diagnosed with CDH do not survive. The cause is not known. Over a half
million babies have been born with CDH since 2000.
CDH is as common as Spina Bifida and Cystic Fibrosis but there is very little awareness and
even less research. 1600 babies are born with CDH every year in the United States.
Globally, a baby is born with CDH every 10 minutes.
CHERUBS is working hard to raise more CDH Awareness, and in turn, more CDH Research,
while we continue to support families affected by this devastating birth defect.
Information taken from:
