Kaden Gresty was just one day old when he had his first operation. Since then, he has had almost 200 more, spending much of his short life in and out of hospital.
The 20-year-old was born with spina bifida, a spinal condition which means he is paralysed from the chest down. He also suffers from a range of other medical conditions that affect his heart, lungs and kidneys and he requires a ventilator constantly.
More problems arose when Kaden, from Salford, was sent for a major spinal surgery in Bristol just before starting secondary school in 2014.
Sadly, there were complications from the operation and Kaden suffered two broken vertebras which led to a chronic pressure sore, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Over time, the sore eventually turned into osteomyelitis, a painful bone infection. Osteomyelitis usually goes away if treated early with antibiotics. If not, it can cause permanent damage – which is sadly the case for Kaden.
Kaden has been mostly bedbound ever since the ordeal which has impacted his daily life, his mum Linsey says.
But the family were hit by even more tragedy last month when they learned Kaden had type 2 respiratory failure, where carbon dioxide is not removed sufficiently from the body.
Sadly, alongside his other medical conditions, doctors believe there is nothing more they can do for Kaden and he is continuing to receive support from the palliative care team at Derian house.
“I was taken into a room by a consultant and told that I need to start doing a wish list because there’s nothing else they can do with his breathing,” Linsey, 46, told the Manchester Evening News.
“It was absolutely devastating. He turned around and said, ‘You’re just going to let me die?’
“It was heartbreaking and horrible. I just want him to be here; he just doesn’t deserve it. He’s still smiling every day.”
Mum-of-four Linsey and Kaden’s siblings are now hoping to create bucket list so Kaden can fulfil some of his wishes during the time he has left.
Ahead of his 21st birthday in July, the family are hoping to raise as much money as possible so they can make many special memories, including holding a sky dive to boost funds.
Kaden’s wishes include watching Manchester United train at Carrington, visiting Scotland for a weekend and being a zookeeper for a day.
Sadly, Kaden also wanted to go to Cornwall but his health complications mean it would not be possible for him to make the long journey.
“Kaden and his family are all devastated by this news,” the fundraiser reads. “And Kaden has started to make a wish list.
“The family have made the decision to try and raise money to help fulfil some of Kaden's wishes. Kaden will be 21 this year and the family would love to make as many special memories together in order to celebrate this milestone in Kaden's life (albeit tinged with sadness too).”
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