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As of May 12th Matthew has returned home due to financial strain. Xaden’s release date is unknown at this point as he is still struggling to breathe and bottle feed. I try to update daily on his Facebook page and here on the GoFundMe.

The Ronald McDonald Charity House does provide dinner and breakfast on Saturday’s and Sundays only. This leave 5 days out of the week I need to figure out breakfast and 7 days out of the week I need to figure out lunches for me an Aubrey. We take advantage of the hospital waiting rooms when they have food available and any events the hospital hosts that provides food. Matthew has gone back to work but gets paid bi weekly and won’t get a check for two weeks.

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As of February 11th we have been able to secure a room at the Ronald McDonald House which allows children to stay with family. While this helps out tremendously, it is still a struggle as Aubrey our five year old is still having a very hard time understanding what’s going on. She had been traumatized by all of this being unexpectedly ripped away from us while I was taken to the hospital to have an emergency c section and up rooted from her home, her routine and her best friend our dog Jace.

We add as many daily updates to the GoFundMe and Xaden's Facebook page as possible to keep everyone informed, Xaden has been doing well but there is of course always a chance for something to happen with him being premature and not developed he is as of today 1lb 15oz. We pray that he continues to thrive with no complications.

Insurance has become a slight issue. We have filed claims but as of right now insurance is only covering a very small amount of Xaden's medical bills.

We were not financially ready for any of this, as we expected a healthy pregnancy as we took every precaution. Obviously we still have bills and cannot ignore them. We have reached out and asked about extensions but they only go so far and some don’t help at all. There are programs that help with utility’s that we have been waiting to hear back from but again there is a cap on how much they can help if we get approved.

Matt’s job has been extremely helpful during this difficult time. He will receive his last partial check on March 14th, he will begin unpaid leave that same day. While this is helpful it isn’t full checks and doesn’t cover all our bills and unexpected expenses we’ve encountered until May 18th when Xaden is expected to be released. Which depending on his progress could be longer.

We are trying to keep us together as a family for as long as possible. Ideally Xaden's entire stay as emotionally we aren’t at our best and need one another. We are worried about our car as it has more then 240k miles on it and if Matt were to go back to work he would be driving back and forth every week so he could come back and be with me so that I wouldn’t be all alone. We would also have to find child care for a week at a time while Matt works as Aubrey isn't allowed in the hospital until restrictions are lifted. Which would leave me all alone over 2 hours away with no transportation of my own.

We have also been selling some of our belongings to try and help out. We were hoping for some relief with tax’s come to find out we owe.

We personally want to thank everyone so much for all the help we have received so far. We know times are tough which is why we are needing help. We appreciate the support so much!

My name is Kelli, my grandson was born at 25 weeks and is in a level 4 NICU.

His name is Xaden Anthony Bryson, Born February 7th 2025, 1 lb 12.8 oz and approximately 11 1/2” .

His approximate release date from the NICU is May 18th. Which is over 90 days that he will be in the NICU.

My daughter Stephanie and her husband Matthew have to travel about 2 hours and 15 minutes each day when she is released to get to the hospital to see him.

There is housing available for them to stay at but they only provide 4 or 5 days then after that they are charged a fee per night.. obviously that is going to be very costly. The other issue is also my 5-year-old granddaughter Aubrey is not allowed to be at one of the houses unless she's over 18. So that leaves them having to stay at a hotel close to the hospital. They are looking into the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital but that is booked at this time .

My son-in-law does have family leave at his job but he will have to miss work unpaid after his brief leave to be there for his family.

Between the 2 hour and 15-minute travel back and forth to get Aubrey , and the gas, as well as the amount of money they will have to pay for a hotel and then the fees for the hospital housing they are going to be in debt and it is not feasible without donations.

My daughter also found out that the level 4 NICU that she is at is not covered 100% with her insurance. This was the only hospital that she can go to that had a level 4 NICU in order for her son to survive. She had originally gone in for a checkup and then found out that she was dilating at 25 weeks.

These are no easy decisions and they are doing the best that they can. This is a one income household with now two children.

Anything you are able to help with is GREATLY APPRECIATED!

We will update with more information as it is available.. thank you so much for taking the time to read this and we appreciate you.

He is a blessing and God bless you !