Aaron Chalmers' ex-partner, Talia Oatway, has described the current period as the 'worst week of her life' after their one-year-old son Oakley was rushed into surgery. Oakley, who was born with the rare genetic disorder Apert Syndrome, was admitted to hospital with sepsis and underwent an operation to drain a serious infection from his head.
Talia shared a heartbreaking photo on social media of herself kissing Oakley in his hospital bed, captioned: 'Living a nightmare. I just want you safe and home.' The post drew an outpouring of support from friends and followers, with one writing: 'Sending all my love to @taliaoatway and Oakley. I've been thinking of him so much. Wishing him a speedy recovery, what a fighter xxx.'
Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers updated fans on Tuesday, saying Oakley's surgery had gone well but that his son was sedated and in intensive care. He wrote: 'He had surgery last night, he is very sedated. He’s still in ICU. ... It’s been a long, long few weeks. ... My head is just pure, battered. ... All I care about is Oakley and getting him home.'
Talia, who shares three children with Aaron, told the Mirror she will never forget the moment Oakley had to be intubated after going into septic shock. The one-year-old has not been awake since Friday and is now in a high dependency unit. He is one of fewer than 100 children in the UK with Apert Syndrome, a condition that affects the skull, face, hands, and feet.
Speaking out to raise awareness, Talia praised the NHS as 'incredible' but described the ordeal as 'traumatic'. She said: 'I will never forget the moment the doctors and nurses rushed into the ward. He was leaking fluid from his head, it was terrifying. ... He's been in and out of hospital all his life. ... I just want him to pull through and have a normal childhood.'
