'We were told to say goodbye to our son 9 times, but we've been given the most precious Christmas gift'
A Chorley mum, who was told to say goodbye to her five-year-old son nine times, has shared how he defied all the odds to celebrate this Christmas.
Vicky Ogg was first told to say goodbye to her son Kacey after he suddenly became seriously ill when a blood clot prevented the blood flow to his small intestine at just eight-weeks-old, a day before Christmas Eve.
Since then, Kacey has undergone multiple surgeries, including a high-risk multi-organ transplant with an uncertain outcome, after the nutrition that was keeping him alive began to destroy his liver. His anxious parents say they were told “many times” that he was not expected to survive surgeries, and because of his frailty, he was was nearly taken off the transplant waiting list.
During this time, Derian House, in Astley Village, looked after Kacey, his parents Vicky and Mike, and his brothers Brody, 10, and Morgan, 15 – providing care, support, and helping them to make precious memories.
“We had no idea whether Kacey would survive to be with us this Christmas, but during those darkest of times, Derian House was there for our family,” said Vicky, 43, of Buckshaw Village.
“We put all of our hearts and souls into wishing for Kacey to get the transplant he needed – as the organs wouldn’t be easy to find. And we just didn’t know if he would survive the surgery. When we were told Kacey’s transplant had been successful, it felt like winning every lottery in the world all at once – an absolute miracle.”
Kacey was three when he underwent the multi-organ transplant in which he received a new liver, small intestine, and large colon.
“Derian House was there for us throughout it all,” Vicky continued.
“Playgroup was Kacey’s only safe space to socialise with other children. And we loved spending time in the sensory room and watching films in the cinema. The sibling group was there for Brody, and counselling was a lifeline for me. We also made precious family memories at their holiday lodges, since we couldn’t travel abroad.
“We’re on a different journey now”
“And even though Kacey has had the transplant, it is not a cure. But we’re on a different journey now. The hospice is still there to support us all. I don’t know what all of us families would do without the love and support from everyone at Derian House.”
Caroline Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “As many prepare to celebrate, Christmas can be an uncertain time for families who don’t know what the future holds. For Kacey’s family, the best gift of all was good news.