The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) received notification that a Middle Tennessee Lawrence County High School senior Tanner Davis was battling a possible terminal illness. One of Tanner’s lifelong dreams has been to be a Tennessee State Trooper.
According to a news release from THP, when THP Colonel Tracy Trott heard about this heart breaking story, he knew he had to help. He knew this was an immediate call to action for THP. Since then troopers worked secretly behind the scenes with Tanner’s mother on the direction of Colonel Trott. After everything was arranged, before a recent basketball game in front of the entire Lawrence County High School and Tanner’s family, Colonel Trott made Tanner’s dream come true. Colonel Trott met Tanner at mid-court and swore him in as an Honorary Tennessee State Trooper.
The following is a statement provided to the THP by Tanner’s mother.
“Tanner Davis was born on June 6, 1997, at Crockett Hospital. Tanner was transported to Vanderbilt Children’s within hours after a quick normal birth due to respiratory issues and a heart murmur. The cardiologist at Vanderbilt informed us that Tanner had a Congenital Heart Defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Critical Aortic Stenosis. He needed a heart catheterization at once. At the young age of 12 hours old, Tanner began his first of many surgery procedures at Vanderbilt.
Finally, after almost nine hours of waiting we were told that the catheterization procedure did not work. We were given two options: Compassionate Care or an open heart procedure called The Norwood. It was explained that the Norwood would not be a cure and that if he was lucky, he would have a total of three open heart surgeries before his 3rd birthday. So at the age of one day old, Tanner went in for the Norwood heart surgery. He was given less than 5 percent survival rate.
Well Tanner made it through the first surgery after 12 long hours. Our stay at Children’s Hospital turned into three months. Over this time Tanner had a massive stroke, would not take a bottle and had a feeding tube placed in his tummy and overcame all odds of survival. His first year of life was filled with lots of ups and downs and hospital stays. However, he took it like a champ and fought through it all.
Over the next 15 years Tanner underwent many other procedures, doctor’s visits and hospital stays. This included two more major open hearts, several heart catheterizations and three eye surgeries. He would also be required to take up to 24 pills a day. During this time, Tanner would never complain or fuss about his situation. He would always have a big smile on face and loving attitude. It was during this time that Tanner became fascinated with law enforcement and the military. He would always say, “When I grow up I want to be a police officer or in the Army.” I would ask him, “Why do you want to be a police officer?” He would say, “Because they are one of the bravest people I know and I want to be like them.” I remember thinking; I want to be like you my son because you are one of the bravest people that I know.”
He would continue to surprise and puzzle all the doctors. Little did we know that almost 16 years later, to the almost exact date, we would be back in almost the same situation again. Tanner slowly started going into heart failure in 2012. His other organs were beginning to shut down. The visits to the doctors started to increase. In December 2012, Tanner started coughing up large amounts of bright red blood. He went back to the hospital December 2012, and was told that his only hope would be a heart transplant and possible a liver transplant if he qualified. Both organs were failing and he was in constant pain. He was in the hospital four times over the next five months coughing up blood and trying to get oxygen to his body. Each time things got a little worse.
Finally, June 10, 2013, Tanner was admitted to Vanderbilt and we were told that he would be there until the doctors decided if he was a candidate for a heart transplant. On June 21, 2013, we were told that Tanner had been approved and was finally on the heart donor list. We were told that it would probably be months, if at all, until he received a heart. Two days later, on June 23, 2013, at 7:35 p.m., while sitting in a hospital room, we received the call that they had Tanner a heart and he would go into surgery at midnight to get this special gift. This was only 48 hours after just being placed on the list.
So our new journey started that day in June again. Tanner would have to stay in Nashville for the next 80 days after his transplant. He would have to go get blood work and tests three times a week during this time. When he finally got to come home, he would still have to make weekly visits to get blood work and tests. He also is required to take anti rejection medicine twice a day for the rest of his life with the fear of rejection at any day. He has had a few minor setbacks, including a paralyzed vocal cord; however he is doing fine as of today. We know the road ahead of us is long and unpredictable but we cannot focus or worry about what might happen. We put all our trust and faith in God’s hands and we will take whatever he has planned for Tanner.”
The THP troopers involved were touched by the event, according to the release.
“Words could not describe the event,” said Trott.
