Please help Fern Wormald get vital treatment.

A lot of you reading may know some of the medical conditions my friend Fern has, and some may not. My beautiful friend is stronger than she knows, she is a true fighter.

Since being bitten in Africa 5 years ago Fern's health has taken a absolute battering, from almost losing her leg due to the bite to a parkinson's diagnosis. She is also in kidney failure along with a lot of other issues that affect her daily life. Although some of the conditions are medicated they will never go away. Some things I'm not listing, but please believe me life isn't easy for the lady and it breaks my heart that a 48 year old woman is going through the things she is.

So I'm here to ask people if they could please donate/raise money for treatment for one certain condition I have not previously listed, this condition is lymphoedema. So if you haven't heard of lymphoedema here is what it is.. Lymphoedema is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body, but usually develops in the arms or legs. It develops when the lymphatic system does not work properly.

Fern has this in her legs especially in the leg that was bitten. The swelling causes the skin to break out and ulcerate and causes splits in the skin, which leads to major infections. She has tried compression treatment which started to help the lower leg area and caused it to travel further up, this has resulted in it starting in her abdomen and causing nerve damage. With compression treatment being unsuccessful, she is now left with no treatment for it as this is all that is offered to her by the NHS.

Only weeks ago Fern was hospitalised and diagnosed with Sepsis. This isn't the first hospitalisation due to infection but it was definitely the scariest.

By chance, a month or so ago, I came across an article about a lady that had a type of liposuction treatment for her lymphoedema. So you may be thinking liposuction removes fat, this is true. Lymphoedema causes lymphatic fluid spills into your surrounding tissues. It can cause inflammation and stimulate fat stem cells to grow. The surgeon can remove this extra fat caused by lymphedema. Liposuction for lymphedema is typically an outpatient procedure with a very short recovery time. Such an easy but costly procedure for such a major condition. This was something Fern had never been told of, this is something that could improve her quality of life and potentially save her life. I have attended a lot of appointments with Fern and i have seen her heart break infront of me when they don't give her any solution to this (although she is very thankful to the NHS).

I have discussed doing a Gofundme with Fern before, to see a private doctor, for them to look at her medical issues and see if she could get some different treatments to improve her quality of life. After all she is only 48 years old and suffering with multiple incurable illness. Fern really wasn't comfortable with that and isn't entirely with this, but I've spoken and spoken more with her about it and I've got her to be ok with this. Unfortunately this is the only treatment out there that could completely reduce the swelling and inflammation which is debilitating for her, also prevent the skin breaking down and opening her up to infection. Without the lymphoedema Fern's health would be far from perfect but it would be a damned sight easier. This is a chance, a chance to make her life better. So please help if you can, if she has ever helped you now is the time to return the kindness she shows to others. She is the kindest lady.

The initial consultation has been done for the treatment. The cost is pushing up to £20,000. This is a hefty cost and every little will help.

Thanks for reading.