His parents Samantha and Wayne Willemse say he has been pretty sick since he was born, but has recovered well.
“We can easily say the procedure, a posterior tracheomalacia done by Dr Russell Jennings the director of the oesophageal and airway treatment centre at Boston Children’s Hospital, was a huge success,” says Samantha.
Caylum was born with a rare birth defect called tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF) and oesophageal atresia (OA).
TOF is an abnormal connection between the oesophagus and the trachea and OA is when the oesophagus develops in two parts, meaning food cannot reach the stomach.
His birth defect has triggered a lot of panic in his parents as well as the nursing staff at the Netcare Clinton Hospital in Alberton, where he spent most of his time in 2016.
“He is running around and is playing like any normal one-year-old,” says his mother.
According to her he is quite on par with the development of his speech, growth and everything else.
“There are certain solid foods he still cannot eat, but he loves cheese, mince, eggs, pasta and couscous as well as soft sweets,” says Samantha.
Caylum went for a check-up in August and according to his mother Dr Charles Carapinha was quite happy with his progress.
“We also took him to see an ear, nose and throat specialist who confirmed the lyringal cleft is closing which is absolutely fantastic news.
“This means he won’t need another operation,” says Samantha.
Charlotte (10) is quite happy to play with her brother.
Samantha says they are quite close and when Charlotte comes home from school, the two first have a session of playing before Charlotte studies for her exam.
This courageous toddler’s life wasn’t at all what his parents wished for and they have faced many challenges since he was born.
Samantha says he had choking or blue spells, meaning that for short periods of time a reduced amount of blood flowed into the lungs when less oxygen was delivered to the body.
Caylum’s parents soon had to learn to apply infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to prepare them for emergency situations.
A nasogastric tube (NG tube) was inserted into his tiny body to enable him to receive food and medicine through the nose.
He went for several operations including a broncoscope, another vital operation during which doctors fastened the aorta to the breastbone to make space for the trachea.
According to his mother, he talks a lot and loves playing outside.
“We are at ease now, but are still careful,” says Samantha.
