“The toughest Miller of them all” continues to live up to his moniker.
Daniel James Miller Jr., the two-year-old son of UFC fighter Dan Miller, underwent successful kidney transplant surgery on Thursday at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“Surgery went well today,” Miller tweeted. “Never thought I’d be so happy to see some pee!”
Miller Jr. has been battling polycystic kidney disease (PKD) since he was born. According to the U.S. National Library of Medecine, “PKD is a kidney disorder passed down through families in which many cysts form in the kidneys, causing them to become enlarged.” The young Miller received his new kidney from his aunt, Kathy Frick.
According to Miller’s coach and manager Mike Constantino of AMA Fight Club, Miller Jr. urinated on Thursday following the surgery for the first time since 2010, which was obviously a great first sign that the transplant was a success. Miller’s brother, UFC lightweight Jim Miller, tweeted a picture of the moment.
Miller Jr. will remain hospitalized for undetermined amount of time, but his aunt is expected to be released this weekend.
Miller was scheduled to fight Sean Pierson at UFC 152 on Sept. 22, but he withdrew from the fight once the transplant surgery was set for this month. Miller and his wife, Kristen, had been waiting for Miller Jr. to gain enough weight to be eligible for the surgery and also fit into the hospital’s busy schedule. The surgery was originally scheduled for Sept. 16, but it was then moved up to Thursday.
According to Constantino, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and president Dana White volunteered to pay any additional costs not covered by insurance. It is unclear at this time how much the surgery will cost the family.
Miller Jr. will need to be on anti-rejection medicine for the rest of his life. You can learn more about his story and donate to the Miller family by visiting the Fund a Fighter Web site.