The boy who can’t put on weight

Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 22 January 2015


LITTLE Lucas Dorman has spent the majority of his short life in hospital — with his worried mum and dad still no closer to knowing what is wrong with their son.

Lucas was a healthy 7lb 10oz at birth last August - but it soon became apparent he wasn’t gaining weight. Five months later, Lucas weighs only 10lb.

Lucas has been in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, in Liverpool, since October. Parents Jason and Stacey Dorman only get to see him once a week as neither of them can drive and they struggle to find childcare for their daughters.

When Lucas was first admitted to Alder Hey, Jason, Stacey and daughters Olivia (6), Alisha (3) and Holly (2) stayed at the adjoining Ronald McDonald House so they could be close by.

In November they returned home to Poppy Road, St Mary’s, since doctors were confident Lucas could be transferred to Manchester Children’s Hospital.

But Lucas suffered a severe infection and couldn’t be moved — and the family’s place at the Ronald McDonald House was filled by another couple.

Stacey (23) said: “From birth, Lucas had difficulties. He had lots of tests but they couldn’t find out what was wrong. There was no room at Manchester Children’s Hospital so he was admitted to Alder Hey.

“I get the train to see him and I sometimes get lifts from family, but it is difficult and there is no one to look after our other children.

“It was awful spending Christmas without Lucas as it was supposed to be our first one in our new home with just the six of us.

“All the girls had problems feeding when they were babies but none of them were as bad as Lucas.

“He is currently being fed by a pump in his stomach and he’s putting weight on slowly. There are so many ups and downs. He’ll go through periods where he seems to be on the mend and he starts looking lively and then he’ll get another infection and we’re back to square one.

“The worst bit of all this is not knowing what’s wrong with my son and not knowing how long he’ll be in hospital. He has had so many tests and is under consultants from so many different departments but doctors have admitted they are stumped.

“At least if he’s transferred to Manchester we will be able to see him more often and maybe take the girls to see their brother.”