Welsh teacher who felt 'hideous' tells surgeon 'don't blame yourself' after risky facial surgery
BBC show Saving Lives in Cardiff tells the true stories of staff and patients at the University Hospital of Wales in the Welsh capital. One 59-year-old former primary school teacher, Ceri, was very emotional after her life-altering facial surgery and told her surgeon "I don't want you to feel bad".
Ceri has a rare neurological condition which frequently causes one side of her face to suddenly and involuntarily go into spasm and contract. She first suffered symptoms of the condition, called hemifacial spasm, while working as a primary school teacher.
The spasms can be painful, have severely impacted her confidence and mental health and meant giving up a job she loved. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
Ceri admitted that she struggled to leave the house since the spasms started again, having already had one operation five years ago.
Talking from her garden, Ceri said: "For the last five years I've probably spent half my life out here. I just want to hide, all the time. I just, I feel hideous. It takes away my confidence, it's taken me away as a person. I feel like an empty shell at times."
Ceri knew that the operation to hopefully help the spasms did not come without risks, having slightly lost some of her hearing in the first operation.
Speaking about it, she said: "Whereas people have life-threatening conditions, to me this a life-limiting condition... to have this surgery is going to give me my life back... I know the risks and I'm prepared to take those risks.
"If I don't give it a shot, then I'll never know. At least I can say that I've tried and you've done your best and to me, that means a lot."
Doctor George Eralil, who operated on Ceri, detailed the risks before the surgery and said: "Each of these risks can be life-changing in itself, should they happen. Whether it be hearing loss or whether it is facial paralysis or whether it's a stroke, there are so many things."
After the surgery, Ceri became deaf in her right ear and the right side of her face was paralysed. She also had a small stroke that was provoked during surgery, which caused the hearing loss and paralysis.
Doctor George described these effects as "disappointing" and Ceri became emotional when Doctor George explained what happened.
Hearing that she had had a stroke, Ceri revealed that she knew the risks. Talking to Doctor George, she said: "I was aware of that... to me the hearing is secondary, I don't want you to feel bad.
"I am eternally grateful for you taking this chance." before hugging Doctor George. Talking about Ceri's reaction, Doctor George said: "I was expecting her to be more pessimistic but this is an amazing woman.
"She's come through quite a lot, I was not expecting that response at all. That goes to show the kind of metal that she is made of and I think that is what will get her through." Saving Lives in Cardiff continues on BBC One Wales at 9pm on Monday, April 21.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Beautiful daughter' was 'dismissed multiple times' by doctors before her death
The family of "beautiful" and "caring" Bethan Amy James, 21, claim that medics they encountered before their daughter's tragic death failed to respond to the gravity of her condition and repeatedly dismissed her symptoms A "beautiful" and "caring" daughter was "dismissed" countless times by doctors before she died in hospital, an inquest has heard. Bethan Amy James, 21, the daughter of former England cricketer Steve James, was first admitted to hospital on February 8, 2020, and died the following day. Her sports journalist dad was covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when his daughter was taken seriously ill. Weather delays prevented him from flying home in time to say his last goodbye. At Pontryppid Coroner's Court Tuesday, an inquest heard how Bethan had presented to hospital on a number of occasions before February 8. Speaking at court, her mum Jane James claimed she had been "dismissed" by several members of staff. She believes her "caring and beautiful" daughter's "life could have been saved" had someone realised the seriousness of her condition. Bethan - who was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2019 aged just 20 years old - had been studying journalism at the University of South Wales and had hoped of being a voice for people with the illness. She had even started a blog documenting her experiences of the condition, and had been involved in a BBC documentary with Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden, who also has Crohn's. Paying tribute to her daughter Mrs James said: 'As a person she never moaned, she never made a fuss. She was very caring. She was just beautiful. She put people before herself. She was more interested in other people and their stories and I think that's why she would have made a brilliant journalist.' Speaking about the heartbreaking events leading up to her death, Mrs James recalled how her daughter first began complaining of tiredness, and had shortness of breath, with Bethan booking an emergency GP appointment for January 27. She returned to University Hospital Wales in Cardiff on multiple occasions, but said the doctors they encountered repeatedly dismissed her despite her GP raising an urgent referral. Over the following days, Bethan's symptoms worsened, and she had also developed numbness and issues with her right leg. During one of the encounters with a consultant, Mrs James said the doctor was "very, very dismissive", having said: "You again! You were here on Sunday. Mrs James claims that it took threats to contact health board seniors before a follow-up appointment was arranged. This was despite Bethan being barely able to walk out of the hospital. On Saturday, February 8 - with Bethan bed-bound - the family called an ambulance and paramedics arrived, but Mrs James said there was no "rush" to get her daughter to the hospital. Bethan was still classified as not "unwell enough" and had to wait outside the hospital for a bed, Mrs James added. All the while this was ongoing Mrs James said her daughter was awake, could 'hardly breathe' and was 'so scared'. After some time Mrs James said an anaesthetist came down and Bethan was put to sleep. Mrs James said she felt that with that her daughter's body lost its ability to fight. She said she was asked to leave the room at around 9.25pm before she was told that her daughter had a cardiac arrest a short time later. Mrs James recalled being told that medics were working on her daughter and asked if she wanted to be with Bethan as she passed away. 'As soon as I walked in, I knew she was dead,' Mrs James said. She commented that a sepsis protocol should have been put in place early on and that her daughter 'should have had the right care straight away'. She added: 'It's heartbreaking as a mum to know that her life could have been saved. They didn't know what they were doing.' The inquest continues.
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Warning Wales faces exodus of dentists and patients forced to go private
Warning Wales faces exodus of dentists and patients forced to go private Patients would be seen by any dentist available and check-ups will rise in price and be moved to once every two years if a new NHS dental plan for Wales is approved NHS patients will be seen by any dentist available, rather than their regular practice, and check-ups will be moved to every two years in a planned move the profession warned will cause an "exodus" of staff in Wales. More than six in 10 dentists said they would go fully private rather than take on the Welsh Government's planned shake-up. The changes being proposed are "a leap in the dark that could destroy NHS dentistry in Wales", the British Dental Association (BDA) warned. As a consultation on radical changes to NHS dentistry draws to a close the BDA urged the Welsh Government to heed the warnings of the profession "to avoid a wholesale exodus from the workforce". The Welsh Government has said its proposals will improve patients' access to dental service but the BDA said it would mean more forced to go private. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Under the shake-up adults would no longer have a regular practice NHS dentist but would be seen by whichever one is available on a first come first served basis. They would stay with that dentist until the course of treatment ends and then be returned the central list. Under-18s would keep the same surgery they are first allocated but dentists warn this could cause problems for families having appointments at multiple surgeries. Prices for NHS check-ups will rise from £20 to £24.75 under the plans. Article continues below "Despite worthy-sounding policy goals – to improve oral health, refocus on prevention, enhance the wellbeing of the workforce, and deliver better value for money – the professional body is warning that the plans as they stand risk achieving the exact opposite results," the BDA said. A survey of dentists across Wales by the BDA found "dentists have been left in an invidious position that risks an exodus from the NHS" with 72% saying they would not be willing to work under the proposed reforms as they stand. More than seven in 10 also said they are likely to reduce their NHS commitment in the event the model is imposed next year and more than six in 10 say they are likely to go fully private. Changes are expected to be fast-tracked for rollout next year. Jeremy Miles, the cabinet secretary for health and social care, has described the package as the "biggest change in nearly 20 years". The BDA said despite "headline focus on prevention" reducing healthier patients to check-up appointments up to 24 months apart could mean diseases, including oral cancers, are not picked up early. Dentists would also be unable to offer timely preventative advice and treatment. There will also be big changes to how NHS dentists are paid with rewards for delivering a 'care package' to patients with ongoing or complex needs. But the proposed level of payment "fails to reflect the true cost of care and risks leaving NHS providers delivering care at a loss", the BDA said. Russell Gidney, chair of the BDA's Welsh General Practice, said: 'On improving access and outcomes and refocusing on prevention the Welsh Government set lofty goals but its reforms risk achieving the exact opposite. 'Now dentists are stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea between a failed status quo and an unpopular untested alternative. "Ministers must be willing to listen, pilot plans, and avoid a leap in the dark that could destroy this service.' In a statement to the Senedd on March 18 Mr Miles said the new general dental services contract will be implemented from April 2026. He said the reforms would be the biggest in nearly 20 years and the central aim will be to make it easier to access NHS dentistry. He said instead of recalling everyone every six months for a routine check-up the new contract will be based on prevention and needs-based provision of treatment. The online BDA survey answered by 176 dentists across Wales also shows only: 2% of dentists responding feel that changes would support the long-term sustainability of NHS dentistry in Wales; 2% agree that reforms would improve population health with only 5% saying that they would enhance prevention; 2% feel reforms would support continuity of care with the same proportion believing it would enhance early detection of oral health conditions; 8% say that reforms would actually improve access to NHS care, and; 6% think the proposed system would provide good value for money for the taxpayer. Responding to the BDA's comments and findings a Welsh Government spokesman said: 'Under the new contract most people would continue their relationship with their practice and continuity would be strengthened for people with poor oral health. 'We are committed to providing better access to NHS dentistry for those most in need and at risk and to making NHS dentistry more attractive to dentists and their teams. The consultation on the proposed new contract is now live for the public and professional alike to have a say in shaping these once-in-a-generation reforms.' Article continues below Get our daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
190,000 warned they could fall ill on Sunday following multiple outbreaks
Mass events on Sunday could see people fall ill unless they take precautions, the UKHSA has warned People planning on attending events this weekend have been warned to avoid a nasty parasitic infection that causes serious stomach upset - vomiting and diarrhoea. 190,000 people are expected to visit farms on Sunday for the UK's Open Farm Sunday event and the UKLHSA says there is a risk of infection. Hundreds of people have fallen ill with cryptosporidium after 17 outbreaks last year and another that saw dozens fall ill in Wales earlier this year. Crypto causes painful stomach cramps as well as vomiting and diarrhoea, and is spread through contact with animals or by touching surfaces that have animal faeces on them. Everyone is at risk, but the bug is particularly bad for pregnant women, young people, the elderly and anyone who is already ill with a suppressed immune system. Public Health Wales say 89 people have so far fallen ill in one outbreak - linked to visiting Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan . The BBC says Emily Fryer's six-year-old son Isaac was hospitalised after falling ill following a visit to a farm in Worcestershire last year. She said: "He didn't eat or drink for about five days. He just slept all the time. His sugars were dangerously low and they admitted him. Obviously, I was really worried then. Because he is autistic and non-verbal, we didn't really know how we could help him." According to the BBC, o n one farm in Wales, linked to a number of outbreaks, inspectors found sick animals kept on display and a lack of handwashing facilities, risk assessments and staff training. Another farm failed to implement recommendations from a previous inspection, which led to another outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, while third farm, due to host a school visit a few days after inspection, was found to be failing. Both Public Health Wales and the UK Health Security Agency have warned the estimated 190,000 visitors who will be visiting the 250 farms taking part in Open Farm Sunday this weekend to make sure they take basic hygiene measures - including thoroughly washing hands . Jo Hatton, an education specialist for organisers of the open farm event LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming ), said: "We are supporting farmers to open their farms and with their risk assessments. We are on the phone with farmers checking in with them throughout the planning process and helping them to understand how to ensure that that visit goes smoothly and everyone goes home happy and healthy." The National Farmers' Union (NFU) said that the health and safety of farm visitors was "taken extremely seriously". To keep yourself safe from Cryptosporidium during a farm visit in the UK, follow these key precautions: 1. Hand Hygiene Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after: Touching animals or their surroundings Handling boots, clothing, or equipment used on the farm Before eating, drinking, or smoking After using the toilet Avoid using alcohol-based hand sanitisers alone – they are not effective against Cryptosporidium. 2. Avoid Hand-to-Mouth Contact Do not eat, drink, smoke, or put fingers in your mouth while on the farm, especially in animal areas. 3. Supervise Children Closely Ensure young children are kept under close watch. Help them wash their hands properly, especially after touching animals or equipment and before eating. 4. Use Designated Eating Areas Only eat and drink in areas specifically set aside for food, away from animal contact zones. 5. Wear Appropriate Clothing Wear waterproof boots and clothes suitable for a farm environment. Remove and clean clothing and footwear after the visit to avoid bringing contamination home. 6. Stay Clear of Sick Animals Avoid touching any animals that appear unwell, as they may be more likely to carry the parasite. 7. Report Illness If you or a family member develops diarrhoea within a few days after visiting a farm, especially if it persists, seek medical advice and mention the farm visit.
