#LittleRookieCaden NICU Fund

On January 7th, 2022, Kevin and Adrianna Hotchkiss of Colona, Colorado welcomed their son, Caden Uriah Hotchkiss, to the world after unexpected pregnancy complications occurring at just 28-weeks gestation. He was born at Montrose Memorial Hospital, and airlifted to the NICU unit St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado shortly thereafter.

 

Caden was born weighing only 1 lb 9.4 oz, but has been a real fighter during his first few days of life, which is hardly a surprise given the strength and character of his amazing parents who have been together for nearly 20 years while laying a foundation for beginning a family of their own. He appears to be a carbon copy of his father, Kevin, a veteran who has continued to serve his community as a law enforcement officer in the time since retiring from active duty. His mother, Adrianna, is a resilient fighter in her own right. She had to be as a military wife, and as a student at the University of Wyoming, where she earned her doctorate in Pharmacy after years of dedication, all while living at least 100 miles away from her nearest family and friends. The pain of watching her child go through this process is incomprehensible, but Adrianna is likely more equipped than most to endure this difficult journey, thanks to the medical knowledge she has acquired through her schooling.

 

Caden, perhaps showing some of his parent's warrior spirit, has already removed his own breathing tubes twice in his limited time at the NICU. The second time, the doctor relented, and decided that since Caden had shown the ability to breathe atmospheric oxygen with the help of a CPAP unit, it was likely safe to remove breathing tubes for good!

 

Overall, Caden appears to be in stable and satisfactory health, but like all babies who are born far too early, he is in for what will most likely be a very long stay until he can grow strong and independent enough to go home. Kevin and Adrianna will be staying at a hospitality house near the hospital for the duration of Caden’s NICU journey since the family’s home is 75-miles south of St. Mary’s.

The family will be faced with medical bills that will reach well into the thousands of dollars and may also be faced with a loss of income due to their need to remain by their son's side over the course of the next few months.

 

 

Any assistance that you can provide, big or small, would be greatly appreciated by a beautiful family of three that could really use a helping hand at this point in their lives.

 

Thank you!

 

Updates will be shared as they become available.

#LittleRookieCaden