A toddler, who suffered severe lung issues believed to be linked to the COVID-19 virus, successfully underwent life-saving surgery in Jamaica on Monday night.
Three-year-old Imani Hanson was flown out of Cayman on a specially chartered medical evacuation flight last week. She had suffered a collapsed lung, among other complications, that doctors believe could be linked to the virus.
Imani underwent two surgeries at the Bustamante Children’s Hospital in Kingston.
Her mother Malonia told the Compass Tuesday that the operations had gone well and she is breathing normally and is expected to make a full recovery.
“I thank God every minute for the miracle he has performed,” said Malonia.
She said she had been terrified of losing her daughter, who spent almost a month in hospital in Cayman, much of that time on a ventilator, before being flown off island for emergency surgery.
Because she had no valid insurance at the time she was diagnosed, the transfer was funded by community donors co-ordinated by charity Acts of Random Kindness. The hospital in Jamaica performed the surgery at no cost.
“ARK and the people that donated to them have been the angels in our life and we are eternally grateful to them,” said Malonia, who works as an agriculturist and part-time educator in Cayman.
“I know it would have been a diverse population that was touched by Imani’s story and responded. We will always be grateful for their support.”
She said her daughter was still feeling some discomfort from the surgery but was in good spirits and looking forward to coming home. She asked for her favourite snacks – apple juice and Lay’s potato chips – when she came out of surgery.
And watching Peppa Pig on her iPad helped take her mind off the pain, said Malonia.
“That’s what she wanted to watch for comfort,” she added.
“She is an exceptionally strong child. If you explain something to her, she understands and she accepts it.”
She said Imani had called her dad, Omar, on the phone every day.
The experience has been “life changing” for the entire family, including Imani’s two older sisters.
“This situation has brought us as a family closer to God,” Malonia added.
She said the events and the support of the Cayman community have redoubled their commitment to give back to the island they call home.
Omar, Malonia and Imani moved to the island in September from Jamaica. But complications with their insurance meant their daughter was not covered and the medical bills are now mounting up.
ARK raised almost $40,000 in less than a week to help the family – just over half of which funded the evacuation flight. The rest will go towards paying off a six-figure bill at the Health Services Authority, Tara Nielsen, the charity’s founder, told the Compass.
“On behalf of the family we would like to share infinite appreciation for the kindness and generosity of the community that enabled Imani to get off the island and have her life saving surgery,” she added in a statement.
“For Imani we received donations of all sizes and every cent made this miracle possible.”
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