CHICAGO – A baby boy born in Uganda was re-united with his mother on Friday after he was flown to Chicago in June for life-saving medical care.
Baby Caius, born just a few months ago, gazed into his mother’s eyes for the first time in weeks. Back in June, Caius’ mother Brenda Nakiyonga obviously did not want to let him go, but sent him to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago for life-saving care.
“I’m just glad that I’m here with him and I get to hold him,” Nakiyonga said. “Simply unexplainable, it’s been magical.”
On Friday, she held Caius for the first time in about two months, with her in-laws by her side and Lurie Children’s Hospital nurses and doctors cheering her on.
Caius, who was born in Uganda with serious health concerns, will turn five months old on Saturday. His doctors said he was born without an organ called the thymus, essentially causing him not to have an immune system.
He’s also battling another rare and life-threatening condition known as “charge syndrome,” a disorder that affects many areas of the body.
After doctors in Uganda said they couldn’t help Caius, his paternal grandparents, Diane and Steve Haskin, got approval to bring him to Chicago for treatment. They arrived in Chicago on June 19, but Nakiyonga could not come with them.
“I think I grew numb,” Nakiyonga said. “I didn’t really have a recollection of what was going on.”
The Lurie medical team was waiting for the trio as soon as they landed at O’Hare. Caius underwent open heart surgery soon after he arrived.
“He’s had a journey here. It’s the scariest thing we’ve ever, ever done in our lives,” Diane said.
After getting in touch with the embassy in Uganda and U.S. lawmakers, officials granted Nakiyonga a visa to come to the U.S. and reunite with her son.
“It means the fruition of a lot of tears and prayers and influential people we can’t thank enough,” Steve said.
Staff at Lurie Children’s Hospital were also touched by the moment.
“It’s so special getting to see him grow up and finally get to be with his mom…could not take his eyes off her. It was so special,” said Sydni McStravick, Caius’ nurse.
“It’s been really nice to be able to celebrate them today,” added Dr. Ashley Ikwuagwu, Caius’ doctor.
Nakiyonga said she couldn’t thank everyone enough for all their support, especially her in-laws.
“In different circumstances, I would have them adopt me, but now that I am a daughter-in-law, I couldn’t ask for more,” she said.
Caius, meanwhile, has a long road ahead of him.
His grandparents said he’s set to undergo another surgery on Sept. 5. He’s also on a waitlist for a thymus transplant.
On Saturday, Nakiyonga will also reunite with her husband, Caius’ father, who lives in Virginia.
Anyone interested in supporting the family can do so by donating to their GoFundMe, which can be accessed by clicking here.