Leanne Tilsley (Jane Danson) is determined to fight for Oliver in Coronation Street, and thus — after another altercation with the hospital regarding her son’s condition — she sets in motion a court battle.
Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and Leanne meet with a hospital mediator, but their hopes are soon dashed when Dr Howarth (Caroline Harding) confirms that there’s nothing more that they can do for Oliver.
She stresses that a second opinion would be a waste of money — something which leaves Leanne seething.
What is mitochondrial disease?
Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body (except red blood cells).
Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support organ function. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole organ systems begin to fail.
The parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, muscles and lungs, requiring the greatest amounts of energy are the most affected.
Symptoms vary depending on the organ(s) affected but may include seizures, atypical cerebral palsy, autistic features, developmental problems, fainting and temperature instability.
According to The Lily Foundation, the prognosis depends upon the severity of the disease and other criteria. As more research funds are raised to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure, some of the affected children and adults are living fairly normal lives with mitochondrial disease.
In other cases, children may not be able to see, hear, talk or walk. Affected children may not survive beyond their teenage years. Adult onset can result in drastic changes from an active lifestyle to a debilitating ilness is a short amount of time.
Treatment plans vary from patient to patient but involve therapies, diet changes and other means to try and slow the progress of the disease.
Desperate to do whatever is necessary, Leanne vows to fight for Oliver — revealing that she’s prepared to go to court to do so.
Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) and Tracy McDonald (Kate Ford) later arrive at the hospital to find both Steve and Leanne rather antagonised following their meeting, and they’re talking about specialist legal teams — and the prospect of spending thousands of pounds on a court case.
It’s a stressful week for the clans in question, and — unable to keep shtum any longer — Nick reveals the truth about his secret son, Sam.
Leanne’s furious, but her attention is later diverted elsewhere, as she and Steve receive the date for their first court hearing.
One to watch: Friday October 9 at 8:30pm on ITV.
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