A MUM left fighting for her life after an accident at home in Didim has prompted her family to extend their thanks to the Didim community for their response in their time of need.
Norah Sheridan was only several days into her holiday at her home when she suffered an accident, leading to her fall down a flight of marble stairs.
Her husband, John, and daughter Shauna were soon on hand, and she was taken to Didim State Hospital, where a head wound was stitched up, and she was returned home.
But as her condition worsened, she was rushed to hospital and transferred to Soke, where, as a result, doctors discovered she had three bleeds on the brain. She had fallen into a coma and needed urgent brain surgery to remove the haemorrhaging.
An operation was undertaken on April 29, and she was medically induced into a further coma. Slowly she came out of the coma and remained on a breathing machine. At this time, her right side was paralysed, and she still had bleeding on her brain.
Following this, a second operation was needed with a 20% chance of recovering any movement on her right side. This operation took place at Kusadasi Hospital on May 6. Although the second operation was successful, the doctors have advised that movement on her right side may return with a lot of physiotherapy.
John, from London, said the recovery of her cognitive functioning would be a slow and ongoing process. After surgery, Norah has since been transferred back to her home in Didim, where her family are keeping constant care and attention of her.
Mr Sheridan said she would remain in Turkey for at least six months not only for her recovery but the ability to be healthy enough to fly back to the UK.
He said that since the fall on April 27, the family had been touched by the community’s response to Norah’s plight and thanked the likes of friends and family for their support and Help in Hands, who had provided an orthopaedic bed while she is cared for at home.
He explained that he and Norah had holidayed in Didim for the last 15 years and had previously taken out holiday insurance. But this time around, with Norah being 68 and John 72, the limitations on the insurance had led them not to take it out.
There have been further setbacks, including the death of the original surgeon who conducted the first brain operation in Soke from a massive heart attack. But John and Shauna said they wanted to say a big ‘thank you’ to the community for sticking by them and supporting them throughout the difficult last few months.
He added: “I want to thank everyone for their genuine concern and support during this difficult time.”
While the final medical bill still has to be finalized, he did ask about other families who may have been in the same situation to contact the family to learn from their past experiences.
Shauna added: “We have seen glimpses of her cheeky, chatty self, but the road ahead is long and we will need support and care in restoring her to herself.”
The family have launched GoFundMe Page to help raise finances to cover the cost of the medical bills. So far, they have raised over £10,750 from well-wishers.
For those that want to donate, go to the link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/xy8xb7-mums-medical-bills