Yahoo Lifestyle Real-life read: I had an op for a headache and ended up paralysed
When Perth mother-of-three Melinda Johnson went to hospital to have an operation, she could never have imagined that her life would be changed forever – in the worst possible way.
Before going under the knife in September to cure her migraines, Melinda had kissed her husband Cris goodbye with a simple “See you tonight” as he dropped her at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for a day procedure.
But when the 39-year-old woke up after the spinal operation, she couldn’t move.
'I was paralysed and struggling to breathe. I started crying: “What’s happening?” and the nurses went running for help,’ recalls Melinda, now a quadriplegic.
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Mel Johnson and her husband Cris. Photo: Supplied.
Melinda says that her life has been hell since that day.
'I can't move my arms or legs, can't do anything for myself – my life as I knew it is over,' she says.
Still too unwell to go home, Melinda is based in the rehabilitation ward at Perth’s Fiona Stanley Hospital.
At her side every day is Cris, 40, who races to be with her each afternoon after completing his shift as a truck driver.
Our family had so many plans ahead of us. Now everything has changed,’ Cris says.
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Scans revealed her nerves had been damaged from the operation – ‘Though at first I was told it was probably just bruising,’ she frowns. But five months on, she remains paralysed.
'Every night, when I’m alone, I just cry and cry. I don’t know what lies ahead for me,' she says.
‘No more trips to the beach with my toes in the sand, or weekends away, or cuddling my best friend’s little children.’
If you would like to help, visit Melinda’s fundraising page at gofundme.com/uabzybgk.
Read the full story in this week's issue of New Idea, out now
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