GEORDIE Shore’s Aaron Chalmers’ ex Talia Oatway has given an update on their seriously ill son’s hospital stay.
The 32-year-old shared a new snap of Oakley, who was born with Apert Syndrome, after he had to have emergency surgery last week.
Talia told fans that her little boy had to go back into surgery after a hole was found in his skull, causing brain fluid to leak out.
Today the mum shared a picture of the youngster with a smile on his face while standing up in his cot in his hospital room.
“We still have the lumber drain in. Someone woke up happy today,” she captioned the post.
Talia then shared a sweet selfie of the mother son duo having a cuddle.
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.
On Thursday Talia have fans an update after his surgery.
“My champ. Lots of messages regarding why we are here still,” she said.
“Oakley had the FOA on the skull on the 13th May.
“He has had a lot of complications. CSF leaks, CSF infection which lead to sepsis shock.
“Two lumbar drains, a EVD drain (in the head), IV fluids and antibiotics, four surgeries in total (on this admission).
“He was in an induced coma for around six days to help his body while he was fighting the infection.
“We have been here nearly five weeks now.
“Unfortunately with Apert Syndrome, the operations don’t always go to plan.
“Oakley had to have this surgery to help his brain, development and to protect the eyes.
“This wasn’t done out of choice.
“Everyday he shows me what true strength is.”
Last week Oakley had to go under the knife yet again to find out why his cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was leaking.
Talia 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.”
After the surgery, she updated fans and explained it had been successful.
Talia wrote: “Another surgery last night. They found a hole under Oakly’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.”
Talia and Aaron welcomed Oakley into the world in 2022.
The former couple also share Romeo, four, and Maddox, three.
Talia is also mum to a daughter from a previous relationship.
The pair started dating in 2017 and had a very on/off relationship during their romance.
They went their separate ways officially in 2022.
Aaron shot to fame on Geordie Shore in 2014.
