Mother loses 44kg to save son's life

A mother in the UK has dropped more than 44 kilograms in order to save her son’s life.

Charlene Howard, 33, went from 102 kilograms to 57 kilograms after learning that her little boy Elliot might need a liver transplant.

Ms Howard was told that as her son’s closest relative, she would be the best candidate for donation.

However, considering her weight, she was not considered healthy enough to give him her organ.

That’s when she jumped to action and began shedding the kilos.

"Elliot is a reason to keep the weight off – every time I take him to hospital it gives me a little reminder," Ms Howard told MailOnline.

"I would do anything for him – I just want him to be happy. It’s hard because I am a single mum but I just try to do my best for him."

The mother-of-one admits that she began to put on weight after her son was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 18 months.

"I comfort ate because of the stress and I just got fatter and fatter."

After successfully undergoing chemotherapy to treat his cancer, doctors then informed Ms Howard that her son was also suffering from cystic fibrosis.

At the age of five, Elliot was then diagnosed with liver disease and his mother was told that if his condition continued to deteriorate, he would need a liver transplant.

This option however was only made possible after Ms Howard lost weight.

"It feels amazing to know that I could save Elliot now – I’m his mum so I want to do everything in my power to keep him alive and healthy."

Due to the regenerative nature of the liver, doctors would only need to give Elliot a part of his mother’s liver –allowing both to eventually end up with normal sized livers.

"I just want Elliot to be happy and healthy and to live a normal life."

Source: MailOnline
Author: Natasha Lee, Approving editor: Simon Black