On a seemingly normal July day, Charles and Samantha Rockwell never imagined their lives were about to change forever. Samantha, who was not even four months pregnant, had just finished a long, 15-hour workday when she began feeling stomach pains.
“I thought maybe it was nothing,” she recalled. “But two hours later, we were holding our son.”
Draven Rockwell entered the world at just 24 weeks and two days, weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces. Born at a hospital in Paducah — a Western Kentucky city about 30 minutes from the family’s Southern Illinois hometown — Draven was far too fragile to stay there. He needed specialized care that only the highest-level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) could provide.
Draven was scheduled for transport to the NICU at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. With the only Level IV NICU in the region, Norton Children is able to care for premature babies with potentially life-threatening conditions.
“We weren’t expecting this at all,” Charles said. “When they told us he needed specialized care, we just wanted to get him somewhere safe.”
The Norton Children’s Hospital “Just for Kids” Transport Team drove to Paducah and brought Draven to Louisville.
A journey of hope
The Rockwells didn’t know how long they’d stay at Norton Children’s or where the road would lead them.
“Ups and downs, but very challenging,” Charles said. “But we were in good hands from day 1.”
Samantha stayed with the baby in Louisville, while Charles had to return to work after three months. Their home in Vienna, Illinois, was more than 200 miles and two states away. A hospital stay in Kentucky was never in their plans until Draven’s sudden arrival, three-plus months ahead of schedule, made it necessary.
“Being away from home was hard,” Samantha said. “Support from the staff made it bearable.”
That support came in countless ways: medical expertise, emotional encouragement and other gestures that meant the world. Samantha, an art lover, found comfort in sessions with the hospital’s art therapist.
“We made crafts with Draven’s footprints — things I’ll cherish forever,” she said. “From the first moment we walked through the doors, everyone greeted us with kindness. Even nurses who weren’t assigned to us would stop by just to check in.”
From 1 pound to 9
Over time and after several surgeries, Draven started to grow. The baby who could fit in the palm of his parents’ hands grew to 9 pounds, 3 ounces. His personality developed too.
“Very feisty,” Samantha laughed. “But that’s normal for a preemie. You have to be a fighter to go through what he’s been through.”
Home for the holidays
After 127 days in the NICU, Draven finally was ready to head home. He would get to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family in Illinois. But first he needed a proper “graduation” send-off.
“One of the nurses surprised us with a tiny cap and gown for Draven’s discharge day,” Samantha said. “It was so heart-touching. They didn’t have to do that, but they did.”
The staff also lined the hallways, carrying signs and streamers, as Draven left the NICU and entered the outside world for the first time since he was a day old.
As the parents look ahead, the Rockwells’ hopes are simple yet powerful.
“We just want Draven to continue to improve and have a happy life,” Samantha said. “I hope he excels and gets all the help he needs. I just want him to be a normal little boy one day.”