Son, 19, feared to have died twice as doctors considered turning off his life support awakes from coma to tell his mother ‘I love you’

• Brooklyn Peakman, 19, was born with a heart defect and told he needed surgery
• He was left fighting for his life when he suffered a stroke after a heart operation
• Brooklyn, of Prestatyn, north Wales, is on dialysis and faces 12 months in hospital
• He also needs a heart transplant and a fundraiser has been set up to support him 

A teenager feared to have died twice stunned hospital worker by waking from a coma to tell his mother: ‘I love you.’

Keen footballer Brooklyn Peakman, 19, was left fighting for his life when he suffered a stroke after a heart operation.

Doctors feared the worst – and told his mum Kelly there was nothing they could do and were considering switching off life support.

But a stroke specialist found there was still brain activity – and asked for further tests.

Family friend Hayley Roberts said: ‘Brooklyn was responding to his mother’s voice which obviously indicated brain activity, and miraculously on Christmas Eve he managed to tell his mum that he loved her.

‘It left her her in bits saying it was the best Christmas present ever.’

Brooklyn Peakman, 19, pictured with his mother Kelly, who was told there was nothing they could do after he suffered a stroke and were considering switching off life support

Brooklyn, from Prestatyn, North Wales, was born with a heart defect and underwent major heart surgery twice in his first 36 hours of life.

Following a check up last year he was told he needed a further surgery to install a mechanical valve – but the 19 hour operation ‘didn’t go according to plan’.

He had already been in hospital for two months waiting for surgery but the operation at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham was cancelled five times due to a lack of intensive care beds available.

Hayley said: ‘Kelly has been warned that Brooklyn faces a very long road to recovery including at least 12 months in hospital.

‘The operation has also left him in need of a heart transplant, and he can’t have that until he’s fit enough to have one.

Brooklyn Peakman, 19, was left fighting for his life when he suffered a stroke after a heart operation

‘Brooklyn’s on dialysis, and he’s had an operation so that the medics are in full control of his heart. He’s also experienced lots of other issues with his lungs and liver so that is being dealt with too.’

Hayley added: ‘His poor mother and girlfriend are so up and down at the moment.

‘It’s been so incredibly stressful for them and the rest of the family.

‘Kelly has also been warned that if Brooklyn suffers from another stroke then it could kill him, so you can imagine how she’s feeling right now but the good news is Brooklyn is getting stronger and beating the odds that were stacked against him.

‘He even managed to eat some jelly fed to him by his mum and they’re hoping to move onto custard.’

A fundraising page to support the family has so far raised more than £3,600.

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