The mother of two has a hole in her spinal canal and cerebrospinal fluid is leaking out. As a result, the 32-year-old is bedridden and can only play with her children while lying down. However, a special intervention could significantly improve the life of the Upper Austrian.
“I’m not the kind of person who asks for help; I try to do everything on my own. But now I don’t know what to do,” says Christina (32) from the Linz-Land district.
Brains are high and dry
The mother of two has endured a long ordeal that has pushed her and her family to the limits of their financial and psychological resilience. Christina has been bedridden on and off for the past seven years. She suffered from chronic cerebrospinal fluid hypotension. Due to a leak in the spinal canal (the spinal canal in which the spinal cord is located), nerve or cerebrospinal fluid leaks out and is lost. The brain is then literally left high and dry.
Problems since my son was born
The disease is rarely diagnosed because local doctors have little experience with it – the disease is also difficult to treat. Symptoms include severe headaches and neck pain, nausea and dizziness. Christina experienced problems after she was given a cross stitch (spinal anesthesia) to give birth to her son Tobias. To determine the cause, doctors pierced her lumbar vertebrae, but this significantly worsened her condition. Sometimes Christina could no longer stand on her feet.
“Doctors recommended antidepressants and physiotherapy to alleviate the symptoms, thinking that as a young mother I would simply be under too much stress.” Despite severe pain, the 32-year-old forced himself to do physical exercises, but they were completely counterproductive. Christina: “Normally you should not bend down or lift anything, but lie still.”
Christina did her own research
Through internet research she eventually found out what was bothering her – and it was eventually confirmed. There were unsuccessful attempts to stop the leak using various blood patches (your own blood injected into the membranes of the spinal cord). “Unfortunately it was not clear where the diver was located. The treatment also came much too late.”
The second cross stitch was fatal
When daughter Marie was born in 2021, another cross-stitch was performed, which worsened Christina’s condition to the point where she could only lie down most of the time.
A special operation was successful
Two years ago, a neurosurgeon in Switzerland operated on her – a special procedure that is not performed here. The costs were high and demanded a lot from the family – who still had to pay off a mortgage. Six months after the procedure, Christina finally felt well enough to live a somewhat normal life; she worked as a photographer every hour.
Then, on October 9, the catastrophe followed: Christina fell from a ladder and a new leak developed. The painful consequence: the 32-year-old must undergo another operation in Switzerland on December 12.
“We can no longer cover the costs we face on our own. But it is my heart’s desire to finally be able to care for my children again.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
