The mum of a little boy who’s spent his whole life in Great Ormond Street Hospital says the family will “try our best” to make his Christmas feel special.
Lenny Page is just 13 months old and has a rare birth defect.
He’s already undergone 12 surgeries and will need more in the coming months.
Lenny was born with vacterl association, a condition characterised by multiple congenital abnormalities. His oesophagus isn’t attached and he’s fed through tubes.
His mum Beth spends every day at his bedside and is joined by her husband when he finishes work.
She describes the last year as “horrendous and tough”, with big ups and downs in his health.
“Don’t want to be in hospital at Christmas, but as long as he’s well, that’s all that matters,” Beth says.
The only home Lenny’s known is Great Ormond Street in London. His hospital cot on the intensive care unit is covered in decorations, including several Arsenal pictures from his football mad family.
Beth says they’ll be with their little boy to see in Christmas Day.
“We’ll be here at his bedside saying Merry Christmas at midnight,” she adds.
“When the clocks turn, he’ll have all his presents like a normal Christmas. We’ll try our best to make it feel as good as possible.”
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On the children’s cancer wards, most of the young patients will be spending Christmas in hospital.
Lily Kinderis is seven years old and was diagnosed with leukaemia in October.
She’d hoped to be going home for Christmas but has just found out she needs to stay on the ward.
“It’s really hard and very stressful,” Lily says.
Her mum, Edita, is understandably emotional.
“It was so sad, because you know, this Christmas will be different… we definitely will try to make it more like home,” she says.
Staff on the ward tell patients Father Christmas can still visit them and special stockings will be delivered.
Everyone at the hospital works hard to make sure no one misses out on the magic.
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At the annual carol concert, singing fills the tiny hospital chapel, celebrating its 150th anniversary. It’s a chance for families, patients and staff to gather away from appointments and treatments.
And Beth Page remains hopeful next Christmas Lenny won’t be in hospital.
“That will be the best moment of my life,” she says. “I can’t put it into words how good that would be. Having him home with us.”
