Ellie’s ready to head for home
FAMILY SAY £90,000 OPERATION IN SPAIN HAS BEEN A SUCCESS
A teenager who is recovering frompotentiallylife-changing surgery in Spain could be discharged from hospital today.
Ellie Gray, 18, spent 13 hours in theatre last month for an operation to alleviate symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).
EDS is a debilitating genetic condition which has caused Ellie to suffer from lax ligaments, resulting in her skull slipping onto her brain stem.
Due to complications, neurosurgeons at a Barcelona hospital spent twice as long operating to fuse her skull to her spine as anticipated.
Her family say Ellie, of VictoriaTerrace,EastBoldon,has nowbeenabletogetoutofbed and is walking short distances with the help of a support frame.
To the delight of her mum, Janine, 48, and dad Neil, 50, whoarekeepingabedsidevigil, Ellie has also told her doctorsthatshecanfeelincreased stability around her neck.
Theonlyproblemhasbeen her contracting a chest infection and high temperature, which are being treated with antibiotics.
To secure her recovery, hernursingteamarealsohaving to wear gloves and gowns when in contact with her.
Janine said: “Ellie is doing OK,improvingabitdaybyday. “She has turned a corner. “She feels that her neck is much more stable when she’s upright which is fantastic.”
She added: “She’s still on some pretty heavy-duty pain reliefbutthatshouldeasewith time.
“All being well, she will be discharged form hospital in thenextdayortwotocontinue recovering at the apartment.”
Sheadded:“Hopefully,she will be able to get a bit more mobile now which will really help her recovery.
“She’s had a bit of a chest infection which she’s being treated for which has been a bit of a hiccup, but that’s clearing now.”
Ellie has been told it could be up to year before doctors knowiftheoperationhasbeen a success.
She had to travel overseas due to there being no specialist operating centre in the UK, and the only other possible medical centres were in the US.
Janine and her husband Neil, 50, set about raising £94,000 to cover costs, and the appeal has now topped £39,000.
To add to the family’s concerns, Janine, a former medical statistician, also suffers from EDS and requires similar treatment.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/ elliesfusion