Talia Oatway has shared a heartbreaking update about her three-year-old son Oakley, revealing he is set to undergo two further medical procedures within weeks, following a devastating and life-threatening diagnosis.
The single mum, who shares Oakley and his brothers Romeo and Maddox with her Geordie Shore star ex Aaron Chalmers, has been candid about her son’s health struggles since birth. Oakley was born with Apert syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes the bones of the skull, hands and feet to fuse prematurely.
In November, Talia revealed that Oakley had received a new, life-threatening diagnosis — hydrocephalus, a dangerous build-up of fluid on the brain. Doctors were forced to fit a shunt to drain the excess fluid, marking yet another terrifying chapter in his young life.
Now, taking to Instagram, Talia has revealed the ordeal is far from over.
Describing the situation as “draining,” she told followers that Oakley is facing a gruelling run of hospital appointments, tests and procedures over the coming weeks — all while being under the care of multiple hospitals.
“Anyone who has got a complex child will understand this,” she explained. “When you’re under a few different hospitals, it’s so draining being like a coordinator as well.”
Talia revealed that next week she must take Oakley to Liverpool for an MDT (multi-disciplinary team meeting), where specialists will discuss every aspect of his care — from his Apert syndrome to the complications he now faces.
Before that can happen, however, Oakley must undergo several urgent tests in a very short time frame.
She explained:
“It’s an MDT so they talk about everything about Oakley — all his conditions. On the Monday he needs to be seen by orthopaedics because I mentioned his shoulders. He can’t lift his arms above chest height.”
But the most worrying part comes next.
“On the Tuesday is the only day they do the MDT clinic,” she said, “but he needs to have a CT scan before then.”
Because Oakley is unable to cooperate for scans, the CT will require general anaesthetic — something Talia admits is deeply concerning. The three-year-old has already undergone 19 general anaesthetics in his short life.
“Oakley does not cooperate for a CT,” she said. “He has to have a general anaesthetic, which again is not ideal. It’s another GA.”
She continued:
“With him having a complex airway and being complex as it is, it’s still not ideal.”
As if that wasn’t enough, Oakley is also waiting for an endoscopy — another procedure that will require general anaesthetic — to assess the severity of his reflux.
“They go in with a camera to test the pH and see how bad it is,” Talia explained. “So that’s another GA.”
Trying to coordinate both procedures together before February 23, Talia admitted she feels overwhelmed.
“My head is just baffled,” she said. “Chasing people, trying to organise the CTs, everything — it’s a lot.”
The devoted mum, who also has daughter Siennah from a previous relationship, rose to public attention after she began dating Aaron Chalmers in 2017. The couple welcomed three children in quick succession, but when Oakley was born, his extensive medical needs meant he spent months in and out of hospital.
The pressure ultimately proved too much, and the relationship ended.
In November, Talia claimed Aaron does not attend Oakley’s hospital appointments, a revelation that sparked intense discussion among fans.
Despite the emotional and physical toll, Talia has continued to advocate fiercely for her son, sharing the unfiltered reality of caring for a medically complex child — a role she admits often feels relentless and isolating.
As Oakley prepares to face yet more procedures, supporters have flooded Talia’s social media with messages of strength, admiration and support — rallying around a mother many say is “doing the impossible every single day.”
