Tyler benefits from special operation

  

A SCHOOLBOY from Essex with severe allergies - preventing him from eating virtually all foods - has been making remarkable progress after having a special operation.

Tyler Savage, 11, has been fitted with a tube that allows him to receive controlled food and nutrients straight to his stomach, allowing him the chance to recover from many years of illness and lead a normal lifestyle.

He becomes seriously ill if he eats anything containing even a trace of wheat, gluten, eggs, soya, or dairy products.

Tyler, who lives in Earls Colne with his parents David and Lynne, fell ill at the age of six and for many years doctors felt he was suffering from a succession of stomach infections, even removing his appendix in a bid to resolve the problem.

However last year specialists at great Ormond Street Hospital in London discovered that he was suffering from a rare condition known as eosinophilic enteropathy, which causes his intestines to produce too many white blood cells.

After spending eight weeks being fed through a tube in his nose, in May this year he had the operation to have the tube fitted and has put on a healthy seven kilograms since.

Mrs Savage, 43, said: “He was virtually living in hospital and feeling unwell. Now he's no different from anyone else and does all the things his friends do.”

Although Tyler still gets infections from time to time, he is determined not to let them affect him too much and Mrs Savage said that, on a good day, it was difficult to tell that there was anything wrong with him.

Tyler makes regular visits to Colchester General Hospital and after only making it to school for a handful of days last year, he has managed to attend on a much more regular basis this term.

Despite missing many lessons during since falling ill, Tyler has received strong support from his teachers and friends who took him work during his time in hospital.

Mrs Savage said: “He's got a brilliant personality and on the ward he has them all joking and does impressions - all the doctors and nurses know him at Colchester now. He's quite grown up for his age.

“He's got some good mates and they all understand.”

Tyler's sister Ellie, 15, is set to join one of his teachers in taking part in a charity bungee jump in December in aid of the Children's Ward Dream Appeal, which is aiming to raise at least £30,000 for new equipment at Colchester General Hospital which has helped him so much.

The appeal is run the Colchester League of Hospital Friends and chief fundraiser Graham Appleton said anyone wishing to help them achieve their goal could contact him on 01206 286643.

He said: “Any contribution, large or small, will make a real difference whether it is a donation or organising an event.”