Leah's Life Saving Surgery Stage 2

This next surgery is going to stop my spinal canal being squashed from the front and the back. It's being done because not only do I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which can progress to spinal instability but I also have Arthritis, Scoliosis and Stenosis. The bone is going to be removed that's compressing the nerves and then the fusion will be done to stabilise the area and stop it moving, currently it's crushing the nerves from the front. Unfortunately this is something else I cannot get on the NHS so have no choice but to fund privately.
I'm so close to getting some form of life back for myself and Caitlyn. It is terrifying to get so far in a battle but be fully aware what will happen without this next surgery.

Please continue to share and help me to achieve my final surgery and start rebuilding my life with my family I'm so close now, only 20k left! Thank you xx  

*****Surgery date confirmed for January 10th. *****
Looking forward to getting Cardiology help at the end of this month to stabilise my blood pressure. You might have noticed my target has been increased. This is because we now have all the final costings. Thank you to everyone for continued support and please keep sharing as I need all the help I can get to raise these funds over the next few weeks xxx

****Update**** 19th August 2017
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15387252.Mother_hugs_daughter_for_the_first_time_in_six_years_after_life_changing_surgery/
I've just come across this, I didn't think it had gone to print so apologies for the delay.
Currently I'm waiting to see a POTS specialist in the hopes of stabilising my blood pressure so in the meantime I can hopefully raise more funds. It's important for me to be in the best shape I can be as I've been told that once we begin fusing my lower spine it is going to place more strain on the rest of the lower back. I'm doing my exercises and doing all I can but with my blood pressure issues and pain its very hard and frustrating to not be further ahead. When my blood pressure is under control I will be in a safer position for surgery. I will do a separate post explaining a little more about this next surgery. Thank you for your support xx

**Update** April 25th was Stage 1 surgery and didn't quite go to plan. The damage was far more extensive than the scans showed so what was due to be fusing my skull to C2 ended up fusing all the way down to T1. So I now have zero movement in my neck and never will again. The surgeons did a fantastic job but because of the extensive work done I was unable to have my lower spine surgery which was due June 12th.

As I try and build strength and mobility my legs are getting worse and causing various issues which is making it hard for me. My disc is crushing the nerve roots of my spine and needs rectifying asap before there's anymore permanent damage to the legs.

Please can I ask that you continue to share for me. I have a 13 year old daughter waiting at home for me and I need to get better for her. Since my last surgery we have managed cuddles without pain! This hasn't happened for over 3 years and felt amazing. I know things can get so much better than this!

Thank you

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What do you say when your 12 year old daughter asks if her mum is going to be alive next Christmas. She tells people how much her mum means to her and how she needs help raising money for life saving surgery. She has been a young carer for a few years and doesn't leave the house before making sure mum is safe. She keeps a smile on so no one can see how scared she is to lose her mum.

Her grandad takes her horse riding when he can so that she can escape everything for a few hours. She gets a holiday in the summer with the young carers group but more than anything wants to spend summer with her mum like she used to. She watches every day knowing her mum needs life saving abroad and that the money is the only thing standing in the way of getting her mum back. 

I have a rare condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) I need Life Saving Surgery because my spine is unstable and crushing my brainstem. I cannot turn my neck without partially dislocating it and the bottom of my brain has come out of my skull into the spinal canal. I can't even turn my head when Caityn says "mummy look at this" The surgery I need is not done in the UK for EDS patients and I need to raise funds to go to Barcelona. 

I have brainstem compression and  I need surgery to to make more space for my brain and to fuse my skull to my cervical spine. I can't leave the house unless it's serious and I forget more and more memories of fun days with my daughter because of the damage being done to my brain.
In order to prevent lower limb paralysis I also need to have lower spinal surgeries. I want walk hand in hand with my daughter in the sunshine again, take her to the beach and watch her collect shells. The conditions I have are called Cranio Cervical Instability, Atlanto Axial Instability, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and others.  I want to see the pain disappear from her eyes because she can be a child again and I can look after her. 

I have life threatening conditions and without these surgeries that the UK cannot provide I am living on borrowed time until the next thing happens. I need to get these surgeries to be there for my daughter. I have to achieve this, theres no other hope now. I already suffer from sublaxations, blood pressure and heart issues, facial swelling and numbness, electric shocks, insomnia, muscle weakness and so much more. I need your help to beat this and live.

The money raised will pay for surgery and the required hospital care in Barcelonas Hospital Teknon. Surgery for Ehlers Danlos Patients who have developed Cranio Cervical Instability is only available in the USA or Barcelona currently.  The cost to have surgery in the USA is approximately $150,000 for one part, so I am lucky to have the opportunity of surgery with Dr Gilete in Barcelona.

Stage 2&3 require further surgery to the lower spine, the rest of the neck and we now know the cost to be approximately £45,000. Surgery for the lower spine is required only weeks after the first surgery but wont be achievable without funds so, fundraising will continue while I'm in Spain. I never thought money would be thing to stand between me and paralysis or possible death. It's a scary thought but as donations keep appearing I feel amazed by the support!  Thank you again, you wonderful people

 Your donations will help me to live and mean so much more than any words I can say but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will also post videos of me at the hospital before and after surgery so you can all see what your amazing donations have done for me . Stage one is £60,000 and is the sugery that will save my life. Stage 3 will secure the rest of my neck and Stage 2 will be my lower spine. Thank you for reading and supporting 

**Stage 1 surgery date 25th April and stage 2 set for 12th June**

Thank you!