Leanne Tilsley (Jane Danson) is left in shock in Coronation Street tonight (September 21), as Nick (Ben Price) offers to sell his shares in the factory in order to help pay for Oliver’s treatment.
With Dr Howarth (Caroline Harding) having revealed that Oliver is breathing now only via life support, Leanne has been determined to help her son in any way possible.
Last week, Nick informed her about a hospital in Germany that might be able to treat Oliver, and she was over the moon.
However, after speaking to a doctor at said hospital, she played down the severity of Oliver’s condition — much to Steve McDonald’s (Simon Gregson) dismay.
Matters were complicated further when she learned that the potential treatment would cost £500,000.
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.
Emma Brooker (Alexandra Mardell) decides to offer support regarding raising the money, and thus recruits sponsors for her silence in tonight’s episode.
Meanwhile, Leanne fears that they won’t be able to raise enough cash to fund the treatment.
Therefore, Nick offers to sell his shares in Underworld to assist with raising the money — and Leanne is overwhelmed as a result.
However, little does she know that he’s harbouring a huge secret, after he learned last week that ex Natasha Blakeman’s (Rachel Leskovac) son is his.
Coronation Street continues Monday September 21 at 7:30pm on ITV.
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