“If human beings are perceived as potentials rather than problems, as possessing strengths instead of weaknesses, as unlimited rather that dull and unresponsive, then they thrive and grow to their capabilities.”

5th August 2008

Hello everyone, just want to thank people for the emails asking about Alex and how is he because of there hasn't been an update here for a while.

Well I want to apologise for this and to rectify this I thought it's about time I did and update and also explain where we are at.

Since my post in April, things had been a little hard for Alex's, back then he had tonsillitis and flu but things started to get bad and he was in and out of hospital 4 times as he initially lost just under a pound in weight and was getting so gets lethargic that he was needing oxygen and during the nights he was not get much rest as he was constantly waking screaming and crying out, along with talking in his sleep. He also had bouts of high temperatures and sweating.

After several tests he was diagnosed with full blown glandular fever and it was causing him problems. During June he got worse and was struggling to breathe (not fatally)and needed oxygen to help him cope. At this point we took him to hospital and his main doctor noticed that his tonsils had become so enlarged that the where blocking his airway - hence the reason for the oxygen.

They tried him on different anti-biotics but they did not reduce the size of his tonsils. A decision was made to remove them, which normally is not a problem for 3 years old but this was the first type of operation on a child the size of Alex especially with the smallness of his mouth and we where told that the operation will come with a high risk - he may not make it! Anyway he did but it took over 2 hours (normally would take 30 minutes)!

He woke the next morning chattering away and right away you could tell the a big relief had ben lifted fom him. He had to stay in hospital for 2 week after the op because as he does not swallow or eat they were afraid that he may pick up a infection, everythign was going fine and he was discharged but within an hour of getting him home we received a call from the hospital who advised us we needed to get him back as test had come back to say he had had MRSA in his mouth and nose! We were concerned, he had this a couple of times before - hey everyone has it - but our worries was that it may get into the open wound left by the tonsilectomy. Anyway back to the hospital and he hated every moment of it, the treatment for MRSA is not nice - well Alex doesn't like it and man did he fight!! After 5 days, he was released, the MRSA had not got into his system and has not looked back since!

So for the last 6 weeks he beens coping with the Glandular Fever - loads of energy one moment and then he drops like fly! But in a whole he is getting better everyday!

So in a nutshell thats one of the reason why the site has not been updated, it takes it out of you and we have some much on with ensuring Mike and Jess get quality time, work commitments and also running the charity!

The latter is a big part of our life and slowly but surely we getting there!

More families are contacting us and we are in double numbers, this year in October we are holding the 1st UK MOPD/PD convention here in Liverpool. we ahev a medcal review in place - it's in its infancy but we are proud and hopeful that things are moving!

We are constantly looking out for supporter, donations and so If you would like to help your more than welcome to help us achieve our aims and help with the Convention - hey you could visit the website and make a donation on the foundations website via JustGiving or even better do some fundraisng!

Things are starting to come together for us know and we are starting to fine time to do more things in life so I will do another update next week!

Before I go i would like to thank all the people who constantly get in touchh with us via email to ask how we and Alex are!

John - Alex's Dad