A BABY who has survived a catalogue of life-threatening illnesses saw in his first New Year at home with his parents.
Heather and Stuart Barnes have endured a roller-coaster 12 months after their son Jack was born suffering from a severe bowel condition, kidney problems and a hole in the heart, following problems in the womb.
But they ended 2004 on a high note after Jack made a remarkable recovery from seven operations, including four major bouts of surgery.
And Heather, 34, of Altham Lane, Altham, said having him home at Christmas was just the tonic.
She said: "It was grand having Jack home and his brother Sam was chuffed to bits.
"We all went out on Christmas day for a meal with our close friends, but Jack was a little bit poorly.
"It was nothing serious and he is doing fine now. He has been through a lot, but he is little fighter."
Jack was born by caesarean section in Queen's Park in April but doctors feared he would not pull through as he was critically-ill.
He was rushed to the intensive care unit at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, and was put on a ventilator as his tiny lungs had collapsed.
After a stint on the high dependancy unit, Jack was transferred back to Queen's Park and he has since undergone a major seven-hour operation at Pendlebury Children's Hospital to rebuild his bowel and back passage.
Heather said it was "touch and go" at first but she was optimistic about the future.
She added: "He has been in and out of hospital but hopefully he won't have to have any more major operations.
"This year certainly can't be any worse than last year, that's for sure.
"It has been a turbulent few months but things are getting better and we just have to keep our fingers crossed."
Last September, the couple threw a massive fund-raiser at the Poplar Working Men's Club, Accrington, to help other sick children at Queen's Park, St Mary's and Pendlebury Hospitals.
It raised a magnificent £14,000 which has since been used to buy toys, games, PlayStations and televisions. Another event is set to take place later this year.
