Talia Oatway, the former partner of Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers, has opened up about the emotional toll of her son Oakley's ongoing health battles. Oakley, born in 2022 with the rare genetic disorder Apert Syndrome, recently underwent his ninth surgery, which Talia described as 'grueling.'
In a candid blog post, Talia revealed the challenges of preparing for the operation on short notice, saying the drive to the hospital 'felt like it took forever.' She wrote: 'Oakley was so unbothered when we got there, always so full of life, playing and laughing even in the hospital before his surgery, brought me a fleeting sense of peace. His innocence and joy are such a contrast to the heavy burden we carry as mums.'
The surgery involved punctures in the dura lining of Oakley's brain. Talia shared: 'The doctors assured me they tried to fix it and would be monitoring him closely, but their words couldn’t quiet the pit in my belly. Sitting in that theatre room, it was all I could do to keep myself from falling apart.'
Oakley's health struggles have been severe, including a previous sepsis shock that led to a coma. Last week, he underwent emergency surgery after a hole was found in his skull, causing brain fluid to leak. Talia updated fans: 'We still have the lumber drain in. Someone woke up happy today.'
Reflecting on the past five weeks in hospital, Talia noted that Oakley has had four surgeries during this admission, including for CSF leaks and infection. She said: '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. Everyday he shows me what true strength is.'
