An East Kilbride schoolboy who came through a life-saving operation for a neurological disorder has been given the best Christmas present possible.
Ten-year-old Michael McNulty, from The Murray, is on the road to recovery with the symptoms of Chiari Malformation – where the brain is too big for the skull – are all but gone.
The sports-mad youngster – who played for Paisley Basketball Club, South Lanarkshire Colliers and EK Rolls-Royce FC – suffered daily migraines, sickness, exhaustion and sleep apnea.
He had suffered the crippling symptoms since he was a toddler but his family discovered he had the condition five years ago after an accident at school.
A massive fundraising campaign was launched by mum, Donna, which saw more than £20k raised.
The money from the ‘Miracle for Mikey’ campaign allowed the schoolboy to travel to the Chiari Institute in Barcelona in July for pioneering surgery – his best shot at a normal life.
And an emotional Donna revealed to the East Kilbride News just hours after Michael came out of surgery that doctors had deemed the op a success – with the youngster back on his feet the next day.
She said at the time: “There were tears from both of us and the 2hrs 15mins I was away from him were the longest of my life. The surgeon said everything went perfectly, so perfect there is only a very, very small incision.”
While he suffered some setbacks after returning home – Donna said she could have never have imagined even a year ago that her boy would be where he is today.
And she once again thanked everyone who has supported them and played their part in giving Michael, hopefully, a symptom-free Christmas.
“Since the operation Michael has only had one very small headache – he was having them every day or every second day and he has had no nausea– so that is a big thing,” Donna told the News.
“The doctors were absolutely amazed how quickly he recovered immediately after the op - he was up and about the day after the surgery with no pain. And all he has is a tiny scar at the bottom of his neck.
“There has been ups and downs and it’s been a rollercoaster to be honest but this Christmas he will be able to enjoy it without feeling ill as he has done in the past if his symptoms got bad – and it is all down to the overwhelming support we have had and we can’t thank everyone enough.”
The St Louise PS pupil’s progress has meant he has returned to football and basketball training – although he will not be taking part in games for now.
He said: “I feel a lot better, I’m happy I had the operation and I wish I had it earlier.”
While he is steadily making progress a few months after returning home Michael did suffer a set back linked to medication.
“The medication Michael was on led to a horrible depression and behaviour changes,” Donna went on.
“We had to stop the medication and since then he has been steadily improving. He had also been experiencing mood changes, becoming very angry easily.
“Due to the now increased blood flow and Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)to the brain this is a normal part of recovery and can last up to 12 months, but it has been a difficult time for us all.
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“But despite that the surgery and what it has meant for him is everything we hoped it would be – we are taking things slowly but it has turned his life around and will hopefully continue to do so.
“For Christmas Michael has asked for Celtic and Barcelona football strips, gaming items – he thinks he is a YouTuber – and a GoPro console.
However, as well as check-ups Michael will face further treatment for undiagnosed issues discovered by doctors in Barcelona.
There was an additional diagnosis of Scoliosis – a curvature of the spine.
It is small at the minute but as he grows so could the Scoliosis.
Donna added: “We are having to fundraise a little bit more for his future tests and check-ups. We are looking for some fundraising ideas that are easily completed with social distancing still in place, perhaps online ideas for the time being and a charity evening will be planned as soon as things have settled down.”
