A boy who pleaded with then first minister Nicola Sturgeon to help him get a vital operation is home after surgery – and is nearly 4cm taller.
Harvey Martin was languishing on a waiting list for surgery to straighten his spine, which was crushing his organs and causing excruciating pain. But the day after the Daily Record carried the story of the nine-year-old’s video appeal, Sturgeon assured Harvey a date for his operation was on the way.
By the time he was operated on, his fourth and fifth ribs were 2mm from touching his spinal cord, which would have led to paralysis. He had surgery at the Royal Hospital for Children in Edinburgh last Friday.
Harvey suffers from neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition which causes growths on the nervous system. The growths caused scoliosis on his spine and the curve progressively got worse.
Harvey was able to sit up the day after his surgery. He was in the intensive care unit for two full days as his body coped with the trauma of the seven-hour operation.
Surgeons removed the heads of the fourth and fifth ribs before inserting metal rods to straighten his back. Harvey has managed to stand for a short time and walk by holding on to his physio.
He wants to get back on his feet properly as soon as possible. However, there is a long road ahead and Harvey will need a year to recover.
He will not be able to return to his primary school in Largs, Ayrshire, until after the summer holidays.
Mum Natalie said: “He just needs to take it one day at a time. But he has had everybody in the hospital in stitches. He has certainly not lost his sense of humour.”
Yesterday he made his first big step forward by getting back home to Wemyss Bay. He is most looking forward to spending time with Natalie, dad Paul and his wee sister Emilia, who turned six while he was in hospital.
Once he is feeling better he will need new clothes to fit his straightened back, which has added 3.6cm to his height. His mum is looking forward to a full night’s sleep.
She said: “I haven’t slept properly in months worrying about him being in pain and not able to breathe.”
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