Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers’ ex Talia Oatway reveals their son Oakley needs two more medical procedures – weeks after life-threatening diagnosis

by

As a devoted follower of Aaron Chalmers and his family, I was really saddened to hear that his son, Oakley, needs two more medical procedures so soon after receiving his frightening diagnosis. It’s just heartbreaking to think of what they’re going through, and I’m sending all my positive energy to Oakley and his family.

The 38-year-old reality star and Talia welcomed their son, Oakley, in 2022. Oakley was born with Apert Syndrome.

Apert Syndrome is a rare genetic condition, according to the NHS, where bones in the skull, hands, and feet fuse together prematurely, often before birth.

In November, Talia shared that Oakley was also diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain and can cause damage. To address this, doctors inserted a shunt to drain the excess fluid.

Okay, so I’ve been researching this, and it’s terrifying! Basically, if hydrocephalus isn’t treated, it can actually kill someone. It’s because the fluid buildup puts so much pressure on the brainstem – and that’s the part of the brain that controls everything vital, like your heartbeat and breathing. It’s just… it’s awful to think about, honestly. It’s like, if that pressure gets too high, everything just shuts down. I’m just really worried and trying to understand everything about it.

Talia shared on Instagram Wednesday that Oakley will have additional tests and treatments next week.

Parents of children with complex needs will definitely relate to this. It’s incredibly exhausting trying to manage everything, especially when dealing with multiple hospitals and acting as the central point of contact.

This is a meeting where everyone discusses Oakley’s health, including his Apert syndrome and all of his other medical needs.

I need to take him to an orthopedics appointment on Monday. I told them about his shoulders – he can’t raise his arms above chest level.

The clinic for the MDTs is only held on Tuesdays, but he needs to get a CT scan before then.

Oakley won’t stay still for a CT scan, so he needs to be put under general anesthesia, which isn’t preferable. This will be another time he’s received general anesthesia.

Talia revealed last year Oakley has already been under anesthetic 19 times in his life. 

She continued, explaining that because his airway was already complicated, the situation wasn’t ideal.

He’s also waiting for an endoscopy – a procedure where they use a camera to check his stomach acid levels and assess the severity of his reflux. This will require another general anesthetic.

Honestly, I’m so stressed trying to figure out if I can schedule both the endoscopy and CT scan together. It’s a total puzzle! And the biggest thing is, everything has to happen before February 23rd – it’s driving me crazy making sure it all lines up!

‘It’s just like, chasing people, trying to organise the CTs, just everything. It’s a lot.’ 

Talia often uses social media to provide updates about Oakley’s health, and she has stated that Aaron doesn’t seem to care about his son’s well-being.

She has four children: Romeo, six, Maddox, four, and Oakley, who she shares with Aaron. She also has a ten-year-old daughter, Siennah, from a previous relationship.

I’m raising two of my children on my own. My son, Oakley, stays with me every night – he has for over a year now. It’s upsetting that someone with no involvement in his life is publicly discussing his medical care.

It’s astonishing that he never goes to appointments or the hospital.

She explained that everything she posts is staged for social media. She wants to share what it’s really like to raise four children on her own, showing both the joys and challenges of solo parenting.

I’m a single parent to four children, two of whom require significant medical care. The constant hospital visits, appointments with doctors and nurses, surgeries, and multidisciplinary team meetings are incredibly stressful, and I’m managing all of this alone. I’m completely overwhelmed and at my limit.

Someone is sharing private information about my son’s health online, and I’m still processing it myself. It’s upsetting that they would do that.

‘Fair enough if I do it, because I’m the one that’s parenting him and I’ve just had enough.

Honestly, I’m so tired of putting on a brave face and acting like I’m handling things with another person when the truth is, I’m completely on my own. It’s exhausting pretending everything is alright when it’s really not.

The Daily Mail contacted Aaron’s representatives for comment.

After their son Oakley was born in 2022, Aaron and Talia shared that he would need multiple surgeries over the next year and a half, with Talia remaining his primary caregiver. The couple separated four months after Oakley’s birth.

During an Instagram question-and-answer session in August, Talia shared that her son might soon require a wheelchair and admitted she frequently cries because of his health challenges.

A fan sent a message praising her, calling her a ‘great and very strong woman.’ She responded with gratitude, but admitted she doesn’t see herself that way, explaining that she often feels quite emotional.

‘I cry a lot especially in situations where I can’t get my point across or when I’m overwhelmed.

‘I have tried to hold my emotions in as much as I can especially when the kids are around.’

A fan recently shared on social media that Oakley is doing really well, having started to walk on his own.

She responded, “Thank you! He only goes outside for a few minutes, but he walks around more inside the house.”

I’m watching the bones in his feet closely, as they seem to be becoming more noticeable. Many children with Apert syndrome need foot surgery and sometimes rely on wheelchairs.

The pain in his feet, stemming from issues with the bones in his feet, is actually causing discomfort all the way up his back. He’s making incredible progress, though.

Read More

2026-02-05 12:49