The first time Kelsey held her son, Tahj, he was impossibly small — born three months early, weighing just over two pounds.
Instead of going home with his parents, Kelsey and Daniel, he spent his first four months in the NICU at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, fighting to grow stronger.
Today, you’d never guess he was a preemie. At 4, Tahj is full of energy, showing off his basketball moves, flipping through Hot Wheels cars and proudly pointing himself out on TV as a spokeskid for Our Lady of Lourdes Foundation’s Ticket to Drive Jeep Mazda Giveaway. His story is one of resilience, the power of expert care and his parents’ unwavering love.
Fragile Start, Fierce Fighter
Kelsey’s pregnancy was difficult from the start — severe sickness caused her to lose 20 pounds early on, and a family history of premature labor put her at high risk.
She was due in November 2020, but on August 10, an undetected infection in the placenta triggered early labor. Tahj was born at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital and immediately placed in the NICU, where he faced hurdle after hurdle.
“He coded twice, had multiple blood transfusions and needed a surgical procedure to close a heart murmur,” Kelsey remembers. “But he fought through everything. He was a fighter from day one.”
Despite the medical challenges, Kelsey was by his side every day, driving 45 minutes each way, spending hours in the hospital and navigating the emotional weight of leaving the hospital without him after she was discharged.
“That was the hardest part — going home without my baby, not knowing how long he’d have to stay,” she says.
During those long days, Kelsey found comfort in small victories — watching Tahj gain weight, seeing his tiny fingers curl around hers and eventually, bringing him home at a healthy 11 pounds.
The Power of Breastfeeding and Community Support
During Tahj’s NICU stay, Kelsey was committed to providing him with breast milk, a vital source of nutrition and immunity for fragile preemies. She pumped daily — at home and in the hospital — to ensure he had what he needed. But when Hurricane Laura hit, she faced an unexpected challenge: storage.
“I had so much milk, and the hospital couldn’t store it all,” she recalls. “If I lost power at home, I would’ve lost all the milk he needed.”
Thankfully, two colleagues at her nursing job stepped in, offering to store her supply in a freezer at their facility. “I was so thankful for that,” Kelsey says. “It meant everything to know I could keep feeding him.”
She continued breastfeeding for nine months, grateful for every ounce she was able to provide.
Thriving Today and Giving Back
Aside from needing glasses and a recent hospitalization for pneumonia, Tahj is a healthy, happy kid. He recently finished his first basketball season. He loves playing outside, reading at the library and anything Hot Wheels-related.
But his story doesn’t end there — this year, he’s raising funds for kids like him as one of the faces of Our Lady of Lourdes Foundation’s annual car raffle.
“He loves it,” Kelsey says. “He shows everyone the video and loves seeing himself on TV.”
Kelsey supports the hospital’s efforts to improve the NICU experience for future families. She remembers the challenges of the open pod system, where privacy was limited, and parents had to leave during shift changes.
“Having private rooms would have made such a difference,” she says. “I’m so glad they’re working to give parents that space.”
A Story of Strength and Gratitude
Looking at Tahj today, you’d never know how tiny and fragile he once was. His journey from the NICU to a thriving little boy is a testament to expert medical care, a mother’s dedication and his own unbreakable spirit.
“He’s still got that brave heart,” Kelsey says. “He’s strong, he’s happy and he’s just a good kid.”
And now, with his story in the spotlight, Tahj is inspiring others — one commercial, one basketball game and one joyful smile at a time.
We hope your family never needs a NICU, but it’s good to know what’s available — just in case. Across our health system we offer access to the highest quality family-centered care:
- Northeast Louisiana: the region’s only Level III NICU at St. Francis Medical Center
- Greater Baton Rouge and the Northshore: Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital’s Newton & Betsy Thomas Family Center for Newborn & Infant Intensive Care
- Acadiana: Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital’s Level III Surgical NICU
- Greater Jackson: St. Dominic Hospital’s NICU
