CONCORD, N.C. — Tyler Reddick says 4-month-old son Rookie is doing better but “some of the tougher moments are definitely ahead.”
Reddick’s wife, Alexa took their second child, Rookie, to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte last week.
Late Saturday, Alexa posted an update about Rookie on Instagram, stating: “Rookie has a tumor that’s “choking” the renal vein & renal artery. Telling the heart “hey I’m not getting enough blood… pump harder.” Causing the enlarged heart. He will need the entire kidney removed as it is not believed to be functioning any longer. He will undergo open surgery to remove his right kidney. We’re just not sure when. Waiting is ok right now to give his heart a break while he’s on BP medication. They expect his heart to fully recover because it was just an innocent bystander. We have answers but a journey ahead to bring our little Cookie home.”
Reddick said Saturday afternoon of his son: “Healthier is probably not the right word, but I’ve never seen him happier. His color looks good. He’s gained weight. A lot of things are going well. All that being said, some of the the tougher moments are definitely ahead. We’re definitely not in the clear. There are some things we need to get through first.
“So, on one hand, I’m really happy and it makes me feel great that he’s doing much better right now, but certainly we have some hurdles we have to get through first before we’re even thinking about leaving the hospital or thinking about what comes next.”
Reddick said the support he and his family have received has been impactful.
“Just countless individuals have helped out,” Reddick said. “Countless individuals have reached out, provided support whatever it might be. It’s been really eye-opening.”
As for how he’s doing, Reddick said: “I agree with my wife this is the hardest thing that I’ve had to go through. … Certainly being away (last week) wasn’t ideal.
“That was a decision me and her came to a conclusion on when I was in Kansas. He was going in the right direction. Yes, like I said, big things ahead that we have to fix, but for that past weekend he was stable and going in the right direction. It was difficult to stay and race on Sunday, but we were on the same page about it. I just wanted to get off that plane so bad on Sunday night and get back to the hospital.”
In the midst of this, Reddick enters Sunday’s playoff elimination race 29 points below the cutline.
“For me, this weekend where we’re at in points, it just is what it is,” Reddick said. “I’m going to go out there and give it my best effort while I’m here certainly. For me, this week, the elimination, everything that is happening in the racing world is taking a back seat as it should.”
