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Woman with severe head condition seeks Spain operation Woman with severe head condition seeks Spain operation
(about 11 hours later)
A woman with a severe condition which threatens her life if she moves her head in the wrong way is flying to Spain to seek treatment.A woman with a severe condition which threatens her life if she moves her head in the wrong way is flying to Spain to seek treatment.
Doctors have told Rachel Pighills, 33, from Worcestershire, her neck can no longer support the weight of her head.Doctors have told Rachel Pighills, 33, from Worcestershire, her neck can no longer support the weight of her head.
A simple turn to the left could cause her cervical spine to dislocate, leading to possible death, she said.A simple turn to the left could cause her cervical spine to dislocate, leading to possible death, she said.
Mrs Pighills added she was "terrified" of the flight to Barcelona but was being "strong" for her child.Mrs Pighills added she was "terrified" of the flight to Barcelona but was being "strong" for her child.
The mother-of-one, from Pershore, was diagnosed with a number of life-threatening head and spinal conditions in July, including basilar invagination.The mother-of-one, from Pershore, was diagnosed with a number of life-threatening head and spinal conditions in July, including basilar invagination.
She said only three surgeons in the world could carry out the specialist £135,000 surgery she needs, which is not available in the UK.She said only three surgeons in the world could carry out the specialist £135,000 surgery she needs, which is not available in the UK.
A crowdfunding bid has so far raised more than £12,000.A crowdfunding bid has so far raised more than £12,000.
Mrs Pighills is making the four-day trip for a number of MRI scans.Mrs Pighills is making the four-day trip for a number of MRI scans.
"My brain is slumping into my spinal canal and the back of my head is unstable," she said."My brain is slumping into my spinal canal and the back of my head is unstable," she said.
"It partially dislocates when I turn to the left. If it fully dislocates that's internal decapitation and I would die instantly.""It partially dislocates when I turn to the left. If it fully dislocates that's internal decapitation and I would die instantly."
She can only wear a neck brace for four hours a day due to the possibility of muscle wastage.She can only wear a neck brace for four hours a day due to the possibility of muscle wastage.
Condition and treatmentCondition and treatment
Mrs Pighills, a supply chain manager, said getting on to a plane to visit her surgeon had left her "absolutely terrified".Mrs Pighills, a supply chain manager, said getting on to a plane to visit her surgeon had left her "absolutely terrified".
"I'm thinking about pressure in cabin, the force of take-off and being pinned to the back of the chair," she said."I'm thinking about pressure in cabin, the force of take-off and being pinned to the back of the chair," she said.
"I just don't know how my body is going to react whatsoever.""I just don't know how my body is going to react whatsoever."
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Her husband Guy, 39, said he feared for his wife every day.Her husband Guy, 39, said he feared for his wife every day.
"I'll be at work and terrified thinking what am I going to come home to find? Will she be OK?"I'll be at work and terrified thinking what am I going to come home to find? Will she be OK?
"I'd love for her to get the surgery and get a bit of normality and independence back in her life.""I'd love for her to get the surgery and get a bit of normality and independence back in her life."
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