Just beginning Year 7, Caleb had a world of opportunity ahead of him.

However his rare condition meant that was at risk and there would be challenging times ahead for the family of four. 

They found out Caleb had a murmur in his heart.

His parents said the family hated not knowing what the outcome would be.

"We just wanted to find out how serious his condition was, it was a very stressful time," they said. 

Following numerous CT and MRI scans in Ballarat, Horsham and Melbourne, doctors identified Caleb had a damaged arch and his main aorta was severely restricted due to a bottleneck in the artery, restricting blood flow to the rest of his body.

The next step for Caleb was open heart surgery at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. 

"They're not the words you want to hear." the Seearys said.  

The Stawell family made many trips to and from Melbourne before Caleb underwent surgery, which went smoothly. 

"Although he wasn't really with it and unable to speak much we were extremely relieved to be able to see him," Caleb’s parents said.

"Seeing our boy all swollen and washed out, hooked up to so many machines and tubes everywhere is something you hope to never see.

“There was certainly no sleep that night.

"But now we have our boy back, the overprotective parent syndrome has gone into overdrive, it was like having a young child again.”

The Stawell community has since rallied behind the Seeary family who described the experience as "the most horrifying and gut-renching thing we have ever been through".

Jamie Erwin of Grampians Toy Club donated $500 to the family to help with their accommodation and fuel expenses throughout the ordeal. 

"We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of people during this time. It has certainly shown us that there are good people out there,” the Seearys said.

“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.”