GEORDIE Shore star Aaron Chalmers’ ex Talia Oatway admitted she’s “living a nightmare” as she kissed her ill son Oakley in hospital.
Oakley, who was born with the rare genetic disorder Apert Syndrome, was admitted to hospital earlier this week with sepsis and was rushed to surgery to drain the serious infection from on his head.
Model Talia took to social media to share a heartwarming photo of her tenderly placing a kiss on her little boy from his hospital bed.
She captioned it: “Living a nightmare. I just want you safe and home.”
On Tuesday, worried dad Aaron revealed Oakley’s surgery had gone well but said his son was sedated, while Talia also revealed the tot will need one more operation.
Aaron tried to be positive, telling his followers: “Just came on here to say I’m fine, but more importantly Oakley is ok.
“He had surgery last night, he is very sedated. He’s still in ICU.
“I’m ok. Listen I’ll always be ok. It’s been a long, long few weeks. But I just didn’t feel the need to be on Instagram.
“My head is just pure, battered, I can’t even think straight.
“All I care about is Oakley and getting him home. I just hope the surgery cleaned all the sepsis.
“He’s got a drain in his back, a drain in his head. I’m hoping the antibiotics have taken most of the infection out of his head.
“It’s been a long few weeks as a dad, as a ,am, seeing your son like that is something I would not wish on anyone.”
Aaron, and Talia, 32, share three children together which include Romeo, four, Maddox, three and one year-old Oakley.
The pair previously split up in December 2022 after five years together following a series of rows.
Talia has since been documenting Oakley’s medical journey on social media over the past year.
She said on Monday that she had been “screaming and crying” after Oakley was admitted with the deadly infection.
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.
Talia wrote on Instagram: “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.
“He is the strongest child. I really hope you guys can keep him in your prayers.
“We are waiting for the surgeon to make a plan he had another leak from the head again yesterday, which shouldn’t be happening.
She added: “I’ve cried, I’ve screamed, I’ve shut myself away. One thing I will be doing is keep pushing. I love you son.”
