Brave Jack Sundin home after having a life-saving back operation

Aug 12 2009 by Helen Rae, The Journal

BRAVE Jack Sundin is back home after having a life-saving operation to straighten his back.

The two-year-old from Whitley Bay was born with an extra half-vertebrae which had pushed his spine more than 70 degrees out of alignment, causing it to turn back in on itself.

And last week the youngster underwent a gruelling operation at Newcastle’s Freeman hospital to remove the extra half-vertebrae. He was fitted with two metal rods and four pins to help straighten his back.

His mother Lisa, 33, of Hertford Close, Beaumont Park, said: “Jack has coped amazingly well and we are all so proud of him. It’s unbelievable how quickly he has recovered from the operation and it is a massive relief to have him back home with his family.

“When he went into the operating theatre it was a worry as we were told there would be risks involved, such as potential spinal damage.

“But it all went really well and Jack is back to his normal self, which is lovely to see. He is now walking and even looks taller. If he had not had the operation then there is no doubt his life-expectancy would have be shortened as the curvature of the spine was putting pressure on his internal organs.”

:: Click here to see a video of Jack Sundin with his mum Lisa