Tributes have been paid to a Dundee four-year-old who died after a short battle with a genetic condition.
Jaxon Buchan only became ill five months ago and died in Ninewells on Tuesday, with his family by his bedside.
The Kirkton youngster began having seizures in February and doctors discovered he had chronic illness mitochondrial disease, which can cause organ failure, disabilities, seizures and vision and hearing loss.
Mum Angela laughed through heartbroken tears as she talked about her son’s shining personality.
The 32-year-old said: “Jaxon had a smile for everyone, his smile lit up the room.
“He was known and loved by so many people and he will be very sadly missed by so many.”
When Jaxon was diagnosed, doctors discovered both Angela and Jaxon’s dad, Steven Buchan, both carry the genetic mutation causing mitochondrial disease, but it had never presented itself.
Angela said: “We had no idea that Jaxon had this condition.
“On the day he first became unwell back in February he was dancing around the living room.
“He and I were both isolating at home because Jaxon had Covid.
“Two hours later he collapsed on the floor.”
“He took seizures and couldn’t stop. He couldn’t move.”
The family went to Ninewells Hospital and the following day he was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People where he was put on a ventilator for nine days.
Angela said: “He kept having constant seizures but eventually he was able to go back to Ninewells.
“Jaxon managed to get back up and about and eventually we were allowed to take him home overnight – he only spent the days in the hospital when he was getting physiotherapy.
“He was walking with assistance and was able to speak to us.
“He was getting back to his old quirky self.”
It was so hard but we knew he was finally at peace.”
However, the improvements weren’t to last and on May 12 the left hand side of Jaxon’s body began twitching, until then only his right hand side had been affected.
Jaxon had to go back to hospital and his parents were given two options – ventilate him to give his body time to try to recover or simply keep him comfortable.
Angela said: “We opted to have him ventilated as we thought this might give him the best chance of recovery.”
The family knew at this point that Jaxon had brain damage, was completely non-verbal, had no movement and had lost his ability to feel emotions.
They were determined to bring him home to be surrounded by his loved ones but earlier this month he had to go back to hospital for the final time.
‘He was fighting so hard’
Angela said: “He was fighting so hard.
“He seemed to be awake most of the time but then we had to take the decision whether to ventilate him again or not.
“It was the hardest decision ever but we decided not to.
“For nine days he held his own before passing away while I held his hand on July 12.
“It was so hard but we knew he was finally at peace and all his family had been around him.”
Angela said Jaxon was a happy, funny, little boy with a huge character, who loved crisps and Fruitshoots.
Angela said: “He simply lit up the room.
“Everyone at Asda Kirkton knew him and he would talk to everyone.
“He was just Jaxon and we will miss him so much.
“Everyone at the hospital did so much not just for Jaxon but for the entire family and we will be eternally grateful for all the help and support we received.”
A date hasn’t been set for his funeral yet but the service will be held at Afferton’s funeral rooms before a burial at Birkhill Cemetery.
Angela said: “We want everyone to wear colourful, casual clothing and plenty of Nike as Jaxon was Nike, right down to his socks.”
Oor Wullie signed by superstar DJ Calvin Harris unveiled at Dundee exhibition
Conversation