A ROSYTH boy battling a life-threatening condition was beaming as he finally returned to school after five months this week. 

Wee Michael Gartshore's life was turned upside down in April when he was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia – a blood disease where all three blood cell types are deficient. 

As Michael's blood count is low, he is more susceptible to picking up infections, but his health has improved in recent weeks. 

The Kings Road pupil's mum, Tracey, said he was very excited to step back on school grounds with his new Star Wars backpack on his shoulders. 

She said: "We're super-excited and nervous. 

"I can't wait to see him in his uniform and be part of the school community again. 

"He couldn't wait to get back and get to hang out with best pal Mark. 

"Michael's latest biopsy was better so there's a mild improvement but he's still severe, just less so, if that makes sense. 

"His numbers took a dive though again so that's confusing for us that some things look better but his full blood count is still rubbish."

Michael will only be back to school part-time and will stay in a smaller classroom so professionals and his parents can keep an eye on his health. 

He will also have to be extremely careful about the type of activities he does. 

"He's just not allowed to do gym class, be knocked or bumped or near sick people, so we are pushing the message for parents to follow the 48-hour rule for sickness bugs," Tracey added. 

"Yeah, I'm worried about him being bumped. I'm very nervous, as is his dad, but, mentally, he needs to interact with others. 

"If it doesn't work out, the school are happy to provide me with a home school package to try and teach him at home, but we will give this a wee go first." 

Last month, the Gartshores received the amazing news that Michael's sister, Charlotte, was a donor match for a stem cell transplant. 

However, there is still a chance that Wee Michael could recover on his own so his transplant has been postponed while doctors keep him under observation to see how he progresses. 

Tracey said: "His haemoglobin is holding above transfusion level which is why they wanted to monitor him first. 

"However, all his other counts are still pants so it's hard being told to wait and leave him vulnerable to infection or bleeding."