‘Loving and witty’ woman died after surgery to her kidney
Nicola, 35, had been full of life despite spina bifida
A“LOVING, caring and witty” 35-yearold woman died after having surgery to remove stones from her kidney and bladder an inquest heard.
Stockport coroners court heard how Nicola Chamberlain was diagnosed with spina bifida when she was born and started using a wheelchair from a young age.
Despite this her mother Lorraine said “She was determined to make the most of her life” and “did everything any other children did.”
Nicola suffered respiratory problems, used a ventilator to help her breathe and had a neuropathic bladder which meant she could not completely empty it, causing her to suffer from bladder and kidney stones.
The court heard how in March 2020, Nicola had only one functioning kidney and it was blocked, leaving her with no kidney function at all.
A complex procedure was carried out and she recovered well.
Despite this, Nicola needed further surgery in 2021 to remove a stent and further stones but was anxious about being in hospital due to the Covid pandemic.
Dr Zara Gall of Stepping Hill Hospital said “It was a balancing act” weighing up the dangers of the stent becoming encrusted with the consequences should Nicola contract Covid, as she was extremely vulnerable.
Mrs Chamberlain said her daughter was very nervous and anxious about he operations and said: “What if I don’t wake up?”
After waiting for a vaccination, on February 17 Nicola went to Stepping Hill Hospital for a three and a half hour operation to remove the stent and stones from her kidney and bladder. The court heard how post-surgery Dr Gall phoned Mrs Chamberlain to say the operation had been a success, but following the phone call Nicola deteriorated rapidly, was not ventilating sufficiently and doctors struggled to stabilise her.
As a result of the stones being broken up in her body, the only way they could be removed, the court heard how she had contracted sepsis which “got a grip very quickly.”
Dr Gall said that as Nicola struggled with respiratory problems in regular life, when she was in a situation where she needed to breathe that little bit harder she did not have the capacity to do so.
Coroner Alison Mutch told her family who were present at the inquest: “It is clear Nicola was a much loved daughter, sister, family member and friend.
“She was born with a difficult disability but did not let it limit her.
“She was an example for anyone in how to overcome adversity.
“It is testament to the amount of support she had from you as a family that she never let it limit her life and it is very moving to hear about how much she enjoyed life.”
Ms Mutch said Nicola suffered multi organ failure
‘We loved her so much and miss her beyond words’
caused by sepsis.
Giving a narrative verdict Ms Mutch recorded that Nicola had died on February 18 of complications of a necessary surgical procedure. After the hearing, dad Peter Chamberlain said: “She was a loving, caring, funny, witty young lady. She was loved by all her family and friends and will be missed by all of us.”
Mum Lorraine added: “We loved her so much and miss her beyond words. “