Geordie Shore’s Aaron Chalmers gives fans huge update on seriously ill son’s condition after terrifying health battle
GEORDIE Shore star Aaron Chalmers has shared an update on the health of his son, Oakley who has a serious health condition.
The one-year-old was born with Apert Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder where the bones in the skull and face become fused together, preventing normal growth.
Recently the tot has been admitted to hospital in critical after a hole was found in his skull causing a leakage of brain fluid.
After a 5 and a half week stint in hospital, Aaron now says that he’s finally come home.
“Thank god, Oakley is now home safe and sound. Probably the longest five and half weeks of mine and his mum’s life.
I don’t think it’s sunk in what actually happened, we just went into autopilot. But the main thing is he’s home so just going to try and get him back and settled into a routine.”
Over the course of the last week, Aaron’s ex Talia Oatway with whom he has three children, has been keeping her followers in the loop about Oakley’s journey.
Last week she revealed that Oakley had been forced to endure a few surgery attempts, as doctors rushed to fix the hole in his head.
She said: “Putting your child into theatre never gets easier. They are going to try and see where the leak of CSF is coming from. They won’t put a shunt in yet as Oakley is still on strong IV antibiotics.
“There will be a meeting next week to discuss long-term plans if this carries on leaking. They mentioned he may have another drain fitted today.”
Fortunately though the doctors were eventually able to get to the root of the problem. She said: “Another surgery last night. They found a hole under Oakley’s skull which was leaking CSF. He’s got a lumbar drain in for now to help drain the CSF.
“There will be a meeting on Monday to discuss the next step which will probably lead to another operation which could be a shunt.”
Later in the day, she shared another picture with her pride and joy from his hospital room, calling him “the strongest little boy”.
Oakley suffers from a rare genetic condition called Apert Syndrome, which affects how bone cells grow and divide.
Recently, Oakley was rushed into hospital with life-threatening sepsis, which occurs when the body’s reaction to an infection affects the tissues and organs.
He underwent surgery at the time to drain the infection from his head.
Talia said at the time that she was “living a nightmare” and just wanted Oakley “safe and home.”
“I’m not going to lie this week has been the worst week of my life. To watch my son be intubated, 2 surgeries in a matter of days, fighting sepsis, drain in his back, leaking fluid from his head, fluid resuscitation, blood transfusions, I am struggling here.
“Oakley has a long road ahead, this is a lifelong journey and it isn’t going to be easy. But my boy, you have shown me how strong you are!
You are brave and determined and I love you more than you’ll ever know. I hope that by sharing our journey I can raise awareness and support other medical families.”
Aaron, and Talia share three children together which include Romeo, four, Maddox, three and one year-old Oakley.
What is Apert Syndrome?
APERT syndrome, also known as acrocephalosyndactyly, is a rare disorder that is named after the doctor who first discovered it in the early 20th century.
It is a genetic condition and is caused by a mutation of the FGFR2 gene.
This affects how cells in the body – namely bone cells – grow, divide and die.
Children born with Apert syndrome have a characteristic appearance, which is caused by the bones in the skull and face fusing and not growing in
proportion, according to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
It can increase a child’s risk of hydrocephalus, which results in pressure building on the brain, and it can also cause Chiari malformation, where the base of the brain is squeezed.
Other complications include breathing difficulties and heart problems, which require life-long monitoring.
The condition is said to occurs in one in every 65,000 to 88,000 births and a child’s outlook can vary greatly depending on the severity of symptoms