Back on my feet

As most of you know, I was diagnosed with aortic dissection in the August of 2019. (Aortic Dissection (AD) is a life-threatening medical emergency that affects the aorta. "The aorta is the main artery from your heart and feeds blood to every part of your body." I was medically managed until such time a surgical intervention was necessary.

By December 2019 my aorta had dilated and an aneurysm had formed. The size of my aorta was now double what it should be and at an alarming 5cm. I was also diagnosed with having Marfan Syndrome and Loeys Dietz Syndrome (both connective tissue disorders) in September 2020, 3 months after caring for and then losing my beautiful MiniMum to MND.

With Covid setting in, seeing any of my consultants became extremely challenging and I had my next scheduled CT scan in March 2021. I received the results quite quickly due to the fact that my aorta had increased again in dilation and was now at 6cm!! and at great risk of rupturing, an operation was planned.

I was admitted on Tuesday 15th June 2021, with my operation to take place first thing on Wednesday the 16th... The repair of my aorta was successful but tragically I was left with a spinal cord injury (SCI) due to complications during my 12.5-hour surgery.

I spent a total of three months in St Thomas' Hospital, London, and a further fourteen weeks in the NSCI Centre at Stoke Mandeville as I was left paralysed.

I have no prognosis but the fighter in me will keep going to give myself the best opportunity to get back on my feet and get my legs moving once again!! "I WILL NOT GIVE UP FIGHTING"

To continue my fight at home I need to purchase a leg bike to maintain my muscle tone and definition and also either, a FES attachment for the bike or a RISE Ston unit. I need to purchase this equipment myself as the NHS does not cover these costs. I am asking for your kindness and help to assist me in covering the costs of this equipment due to the financial difficulties I also find myself in since becoming wheelchair-bound.

Thank you so much for your kindness and consideration of help and for helping me in my fight to get back on my feet