(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — It was an emotional day at La Rabida Children's Hospital as an Oak Lawn boy went home for the first time in his life.
"You ready to finally go home buddy? We're almost ready," exclaimed a nurse inside Francesco Bruno's decorated room on the second floor of the hospital.
Bruno, 2, was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects his bones and muscles. He has lived at La Rabida for more than a year. Skeletal dysplasia, specifically, impacts his ribs, which makes it difficult for his lungs to grow properly.
"When Francesco was born, doctors said he'd only live 30 minutes,” said his mother Priscilla Bruno. "He's my miracle child.”
Francesco’s arrival at home has been a day she and her husband Emanuele Bruno have awaited for nearly 3 years.
"We're very happy, excited, nervous, tense, scared, overwhelmed, really happy,” Bruno said. “It's a melting pot of emotions.”
"It’s from birth until today,” he said. “It's the first time he'll ever leave a medical institute.”
In his first 18 months of life, Francesco has been to four hospitals across three different states. He has undergone multiple surgeries. Now his parents are trained to care for him at home, where his five brothers and sisters are anxiously waiting for his arrival.
"They can't wait,” Bruno said. “They got up early this morning. They're staying home. They're making welcome home cards right now. They are so excited."
For the staff at La Rabida, it's bittersweet.
"I've been working with Francesco for about a year," said Maggie Sladick, an Occupational Therapist at La Rabida Children's Hospital.
"We've all grown to love him,” she smiled. “His family is amazing, and they are here almost every day. He's such a smiley little guy, and he does great in therapy, and he's really come so far since he was admitted.”
Bruno said the last two years were full of highs and lows.
"It's been difficult, that's for sure,” he said. “We've had some beautiful moments, but we've also had struggles."
After one last lesson for his parents about his care, Francesco was in his stroller making his last trip down the hallway, into the elevator and down to the car for his trip to Oak Lawn.
"He's never been in a car before, in a house before, so these are all new experiences for him,” said Sladick, who lined up outside the hospital to wave goodbye. “His family is really supportive and taking it all in stride."
"This has been such a long journey for his family, and we’re so happy for them,” she said. “He's such a familiar face that we check in on every day, and he's always happy and smiling, so he'll be very missed on the floor."
Meanwhile, the Brunos can't stop smiling. They have high hopes for Francesco and his new chapter of healing at home.
"We aren't health experts, but what seemed so difficult before, seems like nothing,” Bruno said. “It's been 1,040 days. We can't wait to see what's next for him.”
"He's my happiest child, and the most unhealthy but he's always happy,” he smiled.
Francesco will celebrate his 3rd birthday in December; his first birthday in his new home.
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