A mother was left devastated after she discovered that her 7-year-old son may not live past 10 years old.
Parents Victoria and Ricky from Colchester, Essex know the life of their son Samuel would be shorter than normal but when they found out from a regular check-up that he’s ‘unlikely’ to live past 10, they started helping him create a bucket list.
Samuel, who was born with a hole in his heart, has four serious heart conditions and numerous syndromes and defects.
The regular check-up came as painful and devastating news for Ricky and Victoria.
“It was just a normal check-up. The doctor started out saying he was doing really well, looked really good and he was really happy with him,” Victoria said.
“I told the doctor that when he was born, we were told he would need a heart transplant and he looked at me as if to say, okay, we will have to talk about this now.
“He said ‘We will see what happens if he gets to ten’ and I said ‘What do you mean?’”
“He said if he makes it to ten, they will test him, running tests, physical tests and exams,” the mother continued.
“I said ‘Are you telling me he might not make it to ten? He said it’s likely he will not make it to ten.2
Before the checkup, Victoria knew her son’s life could be limited. “They said he could be here till 5, 15, 50 or 100, they just didn’t know,” she said.
“I was really confused because he was doing really well. I don’t think it sunk in until days later.”
Victoria and Ricky have set up a fundraiser to help him enjoy every moment he has and get every opportunity he deserves.
Samuel’s bucket list includes trips to Disney Land, Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland, and Peppa Pig. He also wants to have a Christmas party with Father Christmas with ‘lots of flights,’ party games, sweet treats, and cheeky elves.
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