A YOUNG boy who has battled cancer for two years has had a pacemaker fitted to give him a new lease of life.
David Farlow Williams overcame adversity when he went to school for the first time after his battle with cancer.
Now David, aged six, of Holyhead, must face another challenge after surgeons installed a pacemaker when his heartbeat dropped dangerously low.
His grandmother Michelle, aged 49, described how little David started to feel sick, and she then noticed that his lips had gone white and called an ambulance.
She said: “We never thought of this happening on top of the cancer.
“If we hadn’t have acted quickly he would probably have died, because his heart rate dropped to about 30.
Doctors at Alder Hey decided to install the pacemaker to regulate David’s heartbeat.
“It’s hard to say how you feel when you’re told that your grandson needs a pacemaker, because you’re in shock."
Gruelling chemotherapy and immunotherapy has destroyed most of the haemoblastoma that threatened David’s life.
Doctors suspect that David’s medication might have been responsible for his low heartbeat, and will look for another treatment.
David’s most recent scan showed his cancer has not worsened, and he had started term at Ysgol Morswyn before he fell ill.
Michelle said: “He’s thoroughly enjoying it, and his sisters and brothers are already there.”
While David will still be able to lead a normal life, the pacemaker means he will have to avoid activities such as contact sports.
While many people much older would find it difficult to cope, the youngster continues to draw on the same courage that helped
Michelle said: “He seems to be recovering well - you’d think nothing was wrong with him.
“Nothing seems to phase or bother him at all. He wants to play with his brothers and sisters, but obviously I have to be careful because he could get a knock.”