FOR Kilwinning teenager Kieran Crichton, heading to hospital for a major operation on his leg isn’t something that phases him.

For 15 year-old Kieran, has undergone surgeries for five brain tumours and now he takes everything in his stride.

For a teenager who has learned to speak and swallow again, active Kieran is determined this operation would be a success.

It was two years ago that his devoted mum Senga talked to consultants about his leg which had been left at a 40 degree angle leaving the Kilwinning Academy pupil unable to walk.

At the time, due to the aggressive nature of the medulloblastoma which Kieran was battling against in 2017, the brave teenager underwent surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and in January this year was hailed cancer free.

But the energetic teenager who idolises his big brother Darren who is a champion MMA fighter, had one stumbling block to get back to his training with the Ayrshire Fighting Academy – his leg.

After all his treatments the leg remained at+ a 40 degree angle which they believe was caused by the amount of time Kieran spent lying down or because of posterior fossa syndrome which can happen to people who have suffered brain tumours.

Speaking from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Monday, Kieran’s mum Senga, 51, who is always by his side, revealed he was doing well and while they were taking a day at a time since the surgery last week, the family were hopeful.

She said: “It’s been a long time waiting for this to happen.

“They cut through his thigh bone then they tilt it somehow before putting a plate in and then all we can do is hope for the best.”

Doctors had previously tried to stretch the leg but they were unable to stretch it fully, the worry was that the muscle would waste away.

And the lockdown caused appointments to be pushed back and Senga and Kieran had to spend time living in CLIC Sargent and Ronald Mcdonald House in Glasgow as they were shielding.

Their own home in St Joan’s Crescent was busy being adapted for Kieran but there were delays throughout the lockdown for the family who had already been through so much.

With the help of the team at Ayrshire Fight Academy and Kieran’s big brother Darren, the teenager has continued to train and was even given a punch bag to take home during lockdown.

Senga went on: “He

idolises his brother and likewise, Darren would do anything for Kieran. We are strong together, no matter what set backs we face, we keep going, Kieran is a fighter.”