Brave Blackpool boy's 27 operations
DEVOTED mum Victoria Valente hasn't spent a night away from her son's hospital bed in almost seven months.
Brave Gerard was admitted to hospital in Manchester on December 8 last year.
The 12-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus – water on the brain – had a shunt fitted to drain the fluid. But serious problems with the device have left him fighting for his life.
Since he was admitted, the Highfurlong School pupil has undergone 27 operations, suffered several infections – including E-coli and meningitis – and been so close to death his parents were told he would not make it through the night.
His parents, Victoria and Ged, are now pinning their hopes on yet another operation to help his recovery, which will insert another shunt in his head.
But there is no guarantee the surgery will be a success.
Mrs Valente, of Knotts Grove in central Blackpool, said: "He is a real cheeky chappy, but he has really been through it.
"We just have to try to stay positive. It's been a hard time.
"The side-effects from his medication have caused him to have anorexia and because he has been so ill, he is depressed – as he has been in hospital for seven months now.
"He was allowed home Christmas Day, but apart from that he has been in hospital.
"It all happened so suddenly. He has had shunts in his head to drain the fluid and had no problems until he was 12.
"We had all been to the dentist, we came out and he said he didn't feel well and started vomiting.
"We took him to the hospital and he was admitted. They've tried all sorts of different things and he has had 27 operations, but nothing has really worked yet and he has suffered infections.
"At one point, we were told he wouldn't make it through the night. But he is a real fighter.
"I haven't left him since he was admitted, I just can't. He needs me there all the time."
Dad Ged, a taxi driver, has had to come back to Blackpool to work, but said he missed his son.
He said: "I visit whenever I can. At times it has been an absolute nightmare. But the nurses have been wonderful.
"They are lovely, they really look after him. I really do hope this next operation works."
Gerard, along with all the other patients at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury, has recently been moved to the hospital's new site – a 500m facility at the new children's hospital on Oxford Road in the city.
Mrs Valente said although the family were having a difficult time, they were receiving a lot of support.
She said: "Highfurlong School have been brilliant.
"They have been so kind. Some of the pupils and teachers have been to visit Gerard and they are always sending him gifts and cards to let him know they are thinking of him.
"Even his driver, Dee, who is a friend, has been really good and been to see him.
"It's lovely. And because we have spent so much time here we have got to know other families on the ward and we all chat and help each other through it. We just have to take each day as it comes."
Gerard's head teacher at Highfurlong, Eddy Jackson, said Gerard was missed by all the staff and pupils.
He added: "It's part of our role to support Gerard and his family, as all our students and families.
"We all wish him a speedy recovery and we just want him back in school as soon as possible."
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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