THE past few years of the little boy’s life have been tough. He was unable to walk, talk or breathe properly because of cysts the size of a grapefruit located in his face and his airway.
But Alex Grabowski is one determined little kid – and his family have reason to rejoice now.
After undergoing multiple surgeries to remove parts of the cysts, the four-year-old from Somerset in England can take a few steps and say a few words.
And to his mother, it’s balm for the soul and music to the ears.
Little Alex was born with cystic hygroma – a fluid-filled sac that results from a blockage in the lymphatic system, most commonly located in the neck or head area.
Alex has undergone eight “debulking” operations over the years, his mom, Emily (35), explains.
“The surgeries are still something I’m trying to get used to,” she says.
“I cry every time he goes into theatre. The operations can take about eight hours, so it’s a long wait.
“One of his cysts is over a nerve that could paralyse his face if they hit it, so they have to be really careful.”
Although the journey has been challenging, Emily says her little boy is making positive strides towards a somewhat normal life.
‘MOST PEOPLE ARE LOVELY BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME NASTY COMMENTS’
“Alex has already come on leaps and bounds,” she says. “We’re so proud of him.”
DURING a routine 20-week scan, Emily, a single mom, was told by doctors that her baby boy would be born with abnormal growths in his face that would keep growing as he got older.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 3 June 2021 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 3 June 2021 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
MR COOL
Rocker Lenny Kravitz has just turned 60-and he's as much of a sex symbol as ever
LAST RALLY FOR RAFA
Nadal's early exit from RolandGarros calls into question his Grand Slam future. We look back at his smash-hit career
BEYOND THE MOUSTACHE
Tom Selleckon Magnum, peta Oe handsome for Hollywood and why he wishes people would realise theres mor to him than his famous facial hair
HOPE FOR DEMENTIA
More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia and it's estimated this number will double every 20 years. But researchers believe there's light at the end of the tunnel
HE'S GOT THE X-FACTOR!
Eric's record-breaking collection of X-Men memorabilia is worth a small fortune
MADE FROM SCRATCH
Every morsel of food Nara feeds her family is homemade - but not everyone is impressed
INNOCENT'S GOT TALENT
South African tenor wins hearts in London with his impressive opera skills
'NOBODY LISTENED'
These sisters say they were sexually abused 50 years ago by family friends - and they want their day in court
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN
The votes have been cast, counted and announced, but is South Africa ready for a new government? The experts think so
A LOW PROFILE
Cancer-stricken Kate isn't rushing her return to public life but behind the scenes she's keeping busy with work and family life