A TEENAGER hoping to walk is recovering after undergoing radical lifechanging surgery in America.
Paige Bailey from Nuneaton has endured a four-hour operation at St Louis Children’s Hospital and is understood to be doing well.
As reported in the Nuneaton News, the operation took place on Friday and, despite being in some pain and being sick due to the anaesthetic, the 13-year-old who has Cerebral Palsy, is on the mend.
“Paige is being so brave,” said her proud mother Debbie, from Stockingford.
“She had to listen to everything that was going to be done prior and during the operation but didn’t want to show any signs of worrying but we knew she was. What a brave and special daughter we have.”
Before she went under the knife, Paige was assessed and videoed by a team from the Physiology Department. They x-rayed her spine and marked her back with a large `X’ where the operation would be carried out.
Once away from the operating room, Paige became very sick - with dad Paul in the firing line, but she managed to get some sleep despite requiring additional pain relief due to discomfort in her legs. The next few hours proved painful as, after having to continually lie flat on her back, she was moved every four hours onto her side.
“This was quite a stressful process due to it causing her pain,” addedMrs Bailey.
“As the day went on Paige’s blood pressure became low and was constantly monitored by the good staff. The machines were constantly bleeping throughout the day but we were reassured that everything was okay.”
Since then Paige’s condition has improved, she has had a catheter removed and is eating normal meals including fries and chocolate cake for tea. Her recovery has been helped by a new friend, George, who she met at the hotel her parents are staying at.
“Paige’s new friend George had the operation a day earlier and was able to visit her bringing her a lovely present to cheer her up,” added Mrs Bailey.
“She was so glad to see George as she had been asking to see him since she arrived at the hospital.”
