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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 treatment | Condition 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." |
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. | Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. |
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