By RITA SHERROW World Scene Writer on Jun 13, 2012, at 8:45 AM Updated on 6/13 at 12:05 PM
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Max Page, the tow-headed tyke who charmed viewers as Little Darth Vader in Volkswagen's Super Bowl TV commercial "The Force," is having open heart surgery Thursday in Los Angeles, according to eonline.com.
And it isn't his first.
The 7-year-old was born with a congenital heart defect and has had numerous surgeries, according to CBS where the youngster plays Reed on the CBS daytime drama "The Young and the Restless."
The operation this week will involve replacing his pulmonary valve and repairing a hole in his heart, reported the website. He is expected to be hospitalized at Children's Hospital for approximately five days. Page serves as an ambassador for the hospital to help raise funds to aid other children with heart problems, according to a posting at blog.deutschinc.com Tuesday.
In an e-mail his mother, Jennifer, sent Deutsch LA advertising agency Tuesday, she talks about the family discussing the upcoming surgery.
"We told Max and Els (his brother) Sunday afternoon. Initially, Max was crying and repeating how scared how he was. We unpeeled the layers by asking what exactly he was afraid of and tackled each issue as he could verbalize it.
Blood draws, spending the night in the hospital and hurting are the big three. He was also very sad that summer would be in rest in recovery instead of playing baseball, golf and traveling.
"Around bedtime he asked if I would stay up with him and talk. He wanted to make a 'CAN DO' list. So we wrote out all the things he can do so he could focus on those. Then he said we definitely had to “Fun Up” the house. So we went and got Els out of bed and spent the next hour redesigning each room with a theme, special rules and secret codes.
In the Library (Els Room) we have to read with flashlights. On Whisper Lane (the hallway) you have to whisper. Going up the stairs you have to sing ‘Take me out to the ball game.’ The most favorite is the garage - Explode Zone - science experiments and art projects, the messier the better.
"Last night, I wanted to make sure he was doing as well as he seemed. He said, 'Mom, I don't have a choice. I have to go through it. I don't like it and it's still scary - but I have to. So I think I might as well go through it with a good attitude.’
So as we hop on Max's coattails to go on this ride - we too, shall do it with a good attitude. Though we will still tremble with tears and have our overwhelming moments - we will focus on the 'CAN DO' and enjoy our Fun Up House.
"Mighty Max wants me to include one more thing - one of the lines he uses when he speaks to groups.
"'Kids, if you use your FORCE and dream big, you can achieve anything. We may be small - but we're mighty!'"
Tuesday, Jeff Sweat, senior vice-president of communications at Deutsch LA, also blogged that its employees have raised several thousand dollars for Max, and the agency is matching that donation. Go online to tulsaworld.com/maxpage for more information about donating.
To send a get-well card to Page, mail to: Max Page
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
7800 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 3305
Los Angeles, CA 90036
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