My Little lad.

[Warren Beard]

Hi Karl

Great news then, looks like he is doing OK. All the best for September and I’m sure it will all be fine.

Will continue thinking of you and your family as I’m sure it is still tough times.

All the best

Warren

[Karl Williams]

Thanks mate.

[Andy Gorman]

Sounds like they are on the ball there, Karl. Good news. I’m sure everything will go well in September.

Andy

[Karl Williams]

Ive got to hand it to them Andy, they don’t miss a trick.

Thanks mate.

[Marcella Ross]

hope all goes well in September. Kids cope with these things better than us grown ups do! 😀

[Karl Williams]

They reckon most kids survive because they don’t know whats going on,
ie, they don’t hava the fear factor.

Thanks Marcella.

[Garrie]

All the best for Sept.

I agree that Kids cope better then us in these situations.

Take Care
Garrie

[Barbara Eden]

Hi Karl

Thank God for new technology eh 🙂 Chin up me duck – wish you all well 🙂

Babs

[Peter Normington]

All our best thoughts Karl,

Hope everything keeps on the up

Peter and Lynn

[Robert Lambie]

That’s brilliant news Karl, i am sure you and Cheryl really needed to hear this good news mate… lets pray everything keeps going in the right direction for the wee lad now.
thanks for keeping us up to date mate…

[Karl Williams]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. At least now we know what is happening we can get on with things.

Thanks.
Karl.

[Martin Pearson]

Karl, good to hear that you now know whats going on, now you can stop worrying quite so much and concentrate on other things. I know it is easy for me to say but if you and Cheryl make yourself ill with worry then you won’t be much help to Dylan. Hope everything goes OK in September and that will be his last operation for some time.

[Cheryl Smith]

Ill keep you all in my prayers for peace and a full recovery.

[Phill Fenton]

Good news Karl, I hope everything goes well in September 😀

[Hugh Potter]

best of luck Karl, glad to hear he’s ok for now.

[Peter Mindham]

Nice one Karl, still got it all crossed for you.

Peter

[Roy Roffey]

all the best Karl

loves and well wishes from us pal

xxxxx

[Karl Williams]

It’s really nice to read all the messages from people who care that I have never met. Thank you all.
Martin, because of the condition the next op won’t be the last one. He has to be monitored all his life due to the complexity of the op. When he starts at the dentist he must go on antibiotics 1 week before as any bacteria can travel through cuts in the mouth straight to his heart. This will either make him very ill or even kill him. The same goes when he cuts his finger or grazes his knee.
We just have to look on the bright side every day and be grateful he is still with us now. Nature can’t get it right all the time.
When he was first admitted we were stunned to hear over 5000 babies a year are born with the same complaint.

Once again, Thanks.

Karl.

[Martin Pearson]

Karl, yes I know it won’t be his last operation, that’s why I said for some time. A friend of mines daughter has a heart condition and she has had to have a few operations as she grew. She was 21 last year and doctors didn’t expect her to see her first birthday when she was born.

Don’t want to give you even more to worry about but her condition didn’t stop her being a normal rebellious teenager :lol1:

[Karl Williams]

I agree Martin, Dylan is 3 years old and already I’m dreading the first ASBO from his playgroup! 😀

[Harry Cleary]

All the very best Karl and to Cheryl , and Dylan. I can only guess at the worry and concerns you have.

[Adam Triggs]

All the best to Dylan, you and and family.
Good luck in September.

Cheers
Adam

[Jamie Wood]

To echo everyone else, all the best Karl to you and your family.

Jamie.

[Karl Williams]

Thanks guys.

[Steve Underhill]

Nothing, absolutely nothing worse than a sick child.My best wishes to you and your family.
Steve

[Robert Lambie]

couldnt agree more steve… my wee girl is 6, just now she has a bad cough that kicks in during the night when she sleeps… i dont sleep much more than 5 or 6 hours a day, but the past few nights ive been up and down checking on her choking/coughing through the night… even she looks tired in the morning. this is obviously a simple cold that all kids get, but really puts the worrying and sleep loss i have into perspective when i think about Karl and Graemes kids… 😕

[Steve Underhill]

I know mate I just snapped my achilles tendon, have 2 sick kids with sickness etc at the min, but like you say pales in comparison with Karls situation.
Kids are resilient though and as mentioned before they’re always positive.
That’s why they fight it so well

[Karl Williams]

Rob, hope your little girl is well again soon. No matter how small the illness you can’t help but jump out of bed at the slightest sound.
I don’t know, you live a care free life for years then kids come along and turn you into a nervous wreck! Wouldn’t live without them though! 😀

[Graeme Harrold]

Karl, hope you’re wee one comes through all the procedures fighting fit. Our little one has just come through her first round of chemo very well, but has to be watched for any sign of infection too. For about 10 days after the drugs go in, she has precious little immune system, and she is too young to receive any of her vaccinations ( not that they would be much good now).
We are still not sure if surgery is going to be needed, but this is made more difficult due to having tumours on both adrenal glands. Although very rare (100 cases per year in the 0-5 age range) it is usually confined to 1 of the glands.
The good news is she is too young to know any different and just smiles and giggles through everything…….including the needles!!!

Again like Karl, its fantastic to have so many people rooting for you that you have never met………thanks to you all

[Karl Williams]

Graeme, Thanks for the words mate. I’m glad to hear she’s still fighting.
Still can’t get my head round why such a young one should be given such a condition. But i’m sure as I have said before she will come through this and live to 100!
All the best mate.

Karl, Cheryl, Rhys and Dylan. 😉

[Karl Williams]

Thought i’d post a piccy of Dylan. Think this was taken when he was about a year old.

[Marcella Ross]

😀 well he certainly looks happy and healthy there Karl.
A wee smiley face 😀

[Graeme Harrold]

Cracking smile……….Morgandie has now mastered smiling, and it is a credit to their resilience.

Wishing you many more happy smiles now and in the future.
😀 🙂 :lol1: 😛 😉

[Shane Drew]

Hey Karl, missed this post.

Thinking of you mate. Kids are so helpless at that age, and you feel so helpless too. You just wish a kiss would make it better.

When my son was born, my wife was in a bad way with blood pressure and anxiety. She didn’t have a good time of it.

When our son popped out, he was clearly stressed to. The Doc told us he would be fine and left us to do his rounds. The nurse in the room at the time was not so sure, so called another senior Doc for a second opinion. He took one look and sent him to the emergency baby ward as he was not breathing properly. The doc told me I had to tell my wife that nothing was wrong and he’d be fine, all the time knowing that he was not fine and needed assistance to breathe.

I’ve never been comfortable with the illusion, but my wife was not in a fit state to cope with any bad news.

Everything worked out fine, and now he’s a 12 yo that still causes me sleepless nights. I though it was supposed to get better as they got older. :lol1:

End of the day mate, its not easy having a sick kid, but without supportive family and friends, I don’t think many of us would cope.

You are amongst friends here mate, If we can do anything for you (or Graeme) please let us know. I’m a long way a way, but others here have hearts the size of Glasgow, I’m sure they’ll do whatever they can if you need ’em.

[Karl Williams]

Thanks again guys n gals.
I thought with all the kind threads I may as well introduce the man to you all.
I personally got quite depressed over the past weeks. Your kind words kept me going. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart.

Karl, Cheryl, Rhys and Dylan. 😉 😀

[Harry Cleary]

Great pic Karl and I’m glad your spirits have picked up….hope it keeps going.

I’d have used Dylan’s pic above the shop instead of the dodgy guy you used!!!! 😀 😀

Btw it’s his namesake’s birthday today…..Bob Dylan is 66

[Karl Williams]

😀 😀 What dodgy guy? I resemble that remark! 😀
The banner has bought a lot of business my way as did the pic I used to have on my car. Can be quite embarrassing at times But hay ho what the hell! Thanks for the kind words Harry.

[Karl Williams]

This morning Cheryl and I woke up to find Dylans appointment card on the door mat. They have brought his appointment forward to July 31st.
There were a few tears in our house this morning. It has hit us both that it is going to happen.

Karl.

[Shane Drew]

quote KARL WILLIAMS:

This morning Cheryl and I woke up to find Dylans appointment card on the door mat. They have brought his appointment forward to July 31st.
There were a few tears in our house this morning. It has hit us both that it is going to happen.

Karl.

Thinking of you all, Karl. The little fella is probably too young to really know whats going on, no good for mum and dad tho.

Take care buddy, let us know how it goes.

Cheers

Shane, Cathy, Ashley and Tiffani 😉

[Karl Williams]

Cheers Shane.

[Graeme Harrold]

quote KARL WILLIAMS:

This morning Cheryl and I woke up to find Dylans appointment card on the door mat. They have brought his appointment forward to July 31st.
There were a few tears in our house this morning. It has hit us both that it is going to happen.

Karl.

Lyndsay and I both feel for you all. We are going through the same, and even a simple delay in chemo can cause tears. We have just had a 5 day delay as Morgandie’s blood results were not good enough to start the next round. We are now in the position that surgery is more likely and has come as a double edge sword. On one hand we do not want her going through the pain and discomfort of surgery, but we want her cured……better if the tumour is removed than an endless worry of what it is doing if left inside her.
It infuriates my wife when I keep focusing on the positives and nothing else….

Keep strong and draw strength from Dylans resilience as we do from Morgandie.

[Harry Cleary]

Thinking of you here too Karl….keep the chin up!

[Karl Williams]

Hi Graeme,

My heart goes out for you and your wife mate. When your kids are bad it’s a living nightmare. I left Cheryl this morning in tears. But what can you do? At the moment i’m at work in the shop. Doors locked and no one getting in. I just want sometime to compose myself. I could say keep strong mate, but I can’t do that myself at the mo.
Thanks Harry. 😉

[Warren Beard]

Hi Karl

Thinking of you and the family in this terrible time, keep strong and cherish every moment of every day.

cheers

Warren

[Lynn Normington]

Karl and Graeme can’t imagine how you all our feeling
best love

Lynn

[Steve Sandy]

Hi Karl, Only just read about your kiddie mate, Stay strong buddy. Our thoughts are with you through this month and wishing all the success on the day.

Our love to your family

From The Sandys
Steve, jackie, Tom, Ben & Liam

[Jayne Marsh]

Only just read this thread, I wish you all the very best Im sure the docs will sort things out, the only support I can offer is that the camera down the throat thing is ok, I had it a few weeks back and it helps the docs see everything really clearly in a way that they cant see from an ordinary ultrasound. Im sure you kiddy will be just fine and kids bounce back tremendously well form these sort of things.

[Martin Pearson]

Karl, I can’t begin to understand how you and Cheryl must be feeling although I have had a lot of problems myself and still have it’s not the same and I am lucky in that apart from the usual illnesses my own children have all been OK.
Just remember what I said to you about my friends daughter Mandy, she is 20 been in a wheelchair all her life and had countless operations but you can’t stop her smiling. I honestly don’t know how she does it sometimes but as people have already said children are far more resilient than we give them credit for. Dylan is probably wondering what all the fuss is about.
Hope everything goes well and will be thinking about you all.

Sorry Graeme the same goes for you and your family as well.

[Karl Williams]

Thanks Martin.
The date obviously is getting closer now, and the tension at home is getting quite bad now. Cheryl gets more agitated by the day and it’s not easy at the moment. Dylan and Rhys have not been told yet and we’re not looking forward to telling them either. It’s hard leaving the house everyday on a bad note with Dylan standing there waving and saying Bye bye Dadda.Just can’t get my head round thinking my son may not be with us soon if it goes wrong. We recently had the Heartlink mag come through and it had a report about a 4 month old that had the same op. He died after the op from MRSA. The weird thing was his name was Dylan Charlie Rowe. Our son is called Dylan Charles Williams. Rhys’s full name is Rhys Owen Williams. To close for the both of us to be a coincidence and cracked the both of us up.
You may think this is being over the top and looking on the bad side, but we have decided that if things don’t go right for Dylan I will conduct the funeral. I may even pack the business up as well and spend more time at home with Cheryl and Rhys.

[Shane Drew]

Hey mate, its good to make plans, but try to keep a positive thought. Negativity is very debilitating, and puts a strain on relationships. Marriage is all about supporting each other. No good you both being down together, one needs to be the strength for the other.

I know its sounds easy for me to sit here an type this, but I get very depressed at times, and if my wife was not strong at the time I’m low, I don’t know what would happen. The kids would suffer for sure.

Your kids will know something is not right though Karl. Children are very astute to mum and dads body language. That’s why they play one parent against the other so well 😛

I don’t mean to preach mate, that’s not my intention. The best medicine is to talk about it. Lots of hearing ears here mate, I’m sure anyone here is happy to support you and your wife anyway we can.

Take care mate. I feel for you buddy.

[Karl Williams]

I know Shane. I would say the same as you mate to anyone else. Truth is though it’s killing me inside. God knows what if the worse happens. You work hard all your life for them and protect them. This time I can’t protect my baby, and like I said, It’s killing me right now.

[Lorraine Clinch]

Hi Karl

I really feel for you and your wife, to have a child seriously ill must be dreadful, and such a strain on you both, but you must remain focused, and try to keep things in perspective.
I was re-reading these posts, and just wanted to remind you of how positive you were back in May when you had just seen the consultant. I know the date is looming fast, but just read again what you wrote then, and try to get some of that positive feeling back that you had then.
Be strong Karl. Thinking of you all.

Lorraine

quote KARL WILLIAMS:

The doctors have booked a date in September for him to be admitted for a minor op. This involves going through the groin to operate on his heart to open up certain valves as they are not growing due to scarring from a previous op 3 years ago. This will also involve putting a camera down his throat (ultrasound) to look at the back of the heart and examine the arteries that are not visible due to the last op now being at the back of the heart.
They say the op has a 99% success rate. Still daunting but Cheryl and I have every confidence in their abilities.

Thanks for all the best wishes.

Karl.

[Karl Williams]

Thanks Lorraine.
We have good days and bad days. As the date gets closer the bad days are more frequent because we’re both thinking what if? We know it’s only a "minor op" but it still carries the risk. I don’t want a risk. I risk everything everyday in my business life and go for everything to keep this place going. My sons life is a risk I don’t want. It’s also a risk that no child so innocent should have to take, be it my child or anyone elses.
I can’t work or sleep at the moment.

Karl.

[Graeme Harrold]

Our thoughts are with you all the way, we have 1 more round of chemo at the end of the month (30, 31 & 1st) with Morgandie and then a detailed MRI sometime shortly after. The out come of this scan will lead us to either more chemo or surgery. Even something as simple as an MRI is still a big panic for us as she is too young to understand the need to lie still and therefore requires a general anesthetic.

I know how you feel with the "what if" scenarios, dont know how I manage it, but I push them to the back of my thoughts and make every second count now, not a bad way for anyone to live their life either. The surgeons keep saying we are at greater risk traveling to the hospital than something happening in theater.

Keep your chin up, and keep focusing on Dylan, Rhys and Cheryl, they all need you.

[Karl Williams]

All the best for the end of the month Graeme. You seem to be handling the situation a lot better then I am mate. 🙁 😉

[Jayne Marsh]

I think you have to live each day as it comes and enjoy every minute of it, try not to look too far ahead and try not to worry too much. I have just come through a very similar thing myself as I was told I was having episodes of blindness that they thought were mini strokes which were poss connected to heart problems. It has taken a year to get things sorted and I tried to carry on as normal for my families sake. I found it easier to try and pretend that everything was fine and I only found it hard when I was heading to the hospital. I know its different with your children as my daughter had a similar problem when she was 14. You just have to find an inner strength and keep things as normal as possible.
Im certain everything will turn out fine and your little lad will do great.
😀

[Peter Normington]

Karl,
I can only echo the thoughts and sentiments of everyone else.
Try and think positive, and, as easy as it is for me to say, try and carry on as normal,
My thoughts are with your little chap, your family, and you.

Peter

[Hugh Potter]

hey Karl,

can’t really offer much but a few words of sympathy, things will be ok, i’m sure, I just had my boy i hospital for a pretty serious op behind his ear (trivial in comparison, i know) , he had me in pieces when he had to go down and fought off the docs with the gas etc, he shat himself (metaphorically) and i had to literally restrain him while the doc popped the canula in. he didn’t even notice the thing going in cos he was so panicky, was fine then, but i asn;t !!!!

i can fully understand the helpless feeling you have.

kids are stronger than we think, just think how many bangs and bumps we got thru as kids, the worst is always a possibility, but unless that happens, you’ve no other choice than to look to the future and hope for the best outcome.

anyways, luke’s on the road to recovery, and despite the serousness of your lads op, i’m sure it won’t be long before he will be too.

best of luck dude.

Have just told luke about this while he’s sitting here. Luke says "say hi to them, and tell him it’ll be ok. it’s not as scary as you think it will be".

---

Attachments:

[Shane Drew]

nice words Hugh… curious about the name of the second pic tho :lol1:

[Hugh Potter]

sorrry, didn’t spot that, its an arsenal football shirt he got, as promised, for being a brave lad ! i often abbreviate pic names 😕

[Shane Drew]

quote Hugh Potter:

sorrry, didn’t spot that, its an arsenal football shirt he got, as promised, for being a brave lad ! i often abbreviate pic names 😕

I wont let my son see this, if he’s a brave boy I buy him an ice cream… :lol1:

[Karl Williams]

Just to let you all know about Dylan

The first op was canceled. He was re-booked in for the 13th (this Monday)
The op took place on Tuesday and all went well. They have however found another problem with a valve that needs further treatment which will involve a 10 hour op this year. this involves going through the chest to remove the problem. The odds for this further op are very life threatening so all Cheryl and I can do for now is carry on going and hope for the best. For now he is back to normal and fine.

Thanks for the kind words before and the private messages.

Karl.

[Marcella Ross]

I’m glad the operation went well Karl, and I’m sure the next one will too. 😉

[Warren Beard]

Hi Karl

That’s good news that it went well and he is OK, I’m sure they will have every success on the future operations and the fact that you and Cheryl are staying strong does a world of difference for Dylan.

Keep well mate and best wishes to Cheryl & Dylan

cheers

Warren

[Harry Cleary]

great news Karl…..stay positive!…….he’s quite a lad, I look forward to meeting him at a SignUk someday! 😀

[Brian Maher]

thinking of you and yours Karl and wish you all the best of luck mate

[Martin Pearson]

Karl, thanks for the update, was getting a bit worried because I hadn’t seen you about the boards but glad to hear everything went OK as I am sure it will do latter on in the year when he has to go in again.

[Karl Williams]

No Martin, nothing went wrong. I just got very busy and very stressed out.
The stress got to much for me to handle so I ended up walking out and taking a breather. Wrong thing to do I know but sometimes you just have to say F*ck it!

[Graeme Harrold]

Karl,

Great to hear from you, and take comfort knowing that they are thorough and not missing potential problems. Dylan is through the first op and will breeze through the second.

Few more messages here for you too……
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=29040

[Lynn Normington]

Glad all went well Karl, and when the next one comes round Dylan will be stronger and will sail through it.

all best thoughts Lynn x Peter xx

[Peter Mindham]

Good to hear from you both. Kids are strong and it is amazing how they bounce back every time. I still have everything crossed.
Peter

[Karl Williams]

Just thought I’d upload pic of my cheeky lad Dylan and show you all he’s in good health.

[David Rowland]

aye, good to see him doing good… also i see big fish

[Karl Williams]

😀 😀 That’s Meggie. She’s big cos she’s a greedy g!t. 😀

[David Rowland]

quote Karl Williams:

😀 😀 That’s Meggie. She’s big cos she’s a greedy g!t. 😀

perhaps your feed meggie the greedy food?

[Karl Williams]

2 Big Macs and fries a day. 😉 😀

[Glenn Sharp]

Good to see the pic Karl

he’s certainly a happy healthy lad

[Gareth.Lewis]

Awww!

He’s got his dad’s smile.

Best of luck for the future.

Gareth

[Graeme Harrold]

quote Gareth Lewis:

Awww!

He’s got his dad’s smile.

Best of luck for the future.

Gareth

And his mums good looks………… :lol1: All the best to you all…..

[Phill Fenton]

It’s good to see him looking so happy and well. 😀

[David Rowland]

Karl’s little helper i bet

[Karl Williams]

Thanks Chaps.
Yes Dave, he does like to get his hands dirty when it comes to helping out at the shop. 😉

[Robert Lambie]

Great picture Karl, he’s looking really well and very happy… great stuff mate.

😀

[David Rowland]

quote Karl Williams:

Yes Dave, he does like to get his hands dirty when it comes to helping out at the shop. 😉

What’s his hourly rate? does he have construction skill certificate (or could he make his own?)

[Karl Williams]

Cheers Rob.
Hourly rate? What’s that Dave? 😮 😮

[Warren Beard]

Hi Karl

Great news and picture of Dylan, glad to see and hear he is doing well, looks like a tough tiger (not like his dad who’s a poossy cat 😮 :rofl: )

Cheers

Warren

[Karl Williams]

quote Warren Beard:

Hi Karl

Great news and picture of Dylan, glad to see and hear he is doing well, looks like a tough tiger (not like his dad who’s a poossy cat 😮 :rofl: )

Cheers

Warren

Cheers mate. 😉 have you put on weight?

[Warren Beard]

YES, too much 😳

[Karl Williams]

WHO ATE ALL THE PIES?? WARREN DID!! 😀 😀
Put some specs on and you’ll start looking like my twin 😉

[Graeme Harrold]

Warren, I can confirm he is talking from an experienced view point, Im surprised you managed to get any pies with Karl on the loose :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

[Karl Williams]

quote Graeme Harrold:

Warren, I can confirm he is talking from an experienced view point, Im surprised you managed to get any pies with Karl on the loose :lol1: :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:

OUCH! Say what you mean now Graeme, don’t hold back. 😉 😀 😀

[Graeme Harrold]

:lol1: :lol1: :lol1: you know me….I never mince my words………..sorry thats another pie filling…….. 😛 😛

[Karl Williams]

😉