On the 6th December 2022, I had Brain Surgery at the Walton Centre in Liverpool. I saw first hand how far above and beyond the Centre goes to make people as comfortable as possible during their stay as well as ensuring that family and friends are looked after and given the right help and information to ensure they can deal with the situations they face.

I had life changing surgery for Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia led by Mr Brodbelt and his team of surgeons, all of who looked after me amazingly well. Mr Brodbelt is a bit of a LEGEND in my world!

I originally managed to get home after 4 days but a post op complication, a CSF leak led to me returning for a further 2 weeks, a lumbar puncture, lumbar drain, a fair few stitches and lots of IV antibiotics later I felt much better. The 2 weeks I was admitted, happened to be Christmas and New Year which is not really where I or anyone wanted to be, but the Doctors, Nurses and other staff kept me and everyone around me in good spirits and looking forward to the positive benefits the surgery would bring.

I’ll be forever grateful to everyone who looked after me, my friends who visited me or sent messages to keep me positive and still do every single day (you know who you are!) and my family who took the brunt of the stress and my tears.

Last year I challenged myself as part of my early recovery to complete Walk for Walton and I surpassed both my fundraising and step goals to give something back to to the amazing people that helped me and still do! (I didn’t expect to be in the news either!)

So let’s fast forward a year that’s provided yet more challenges and do it all over again!!! Now further into my recovery from that surgery, and adapting to life everyday, I’m sure this challenge will be different to last year with full time work now in the mix but let’s do it, and try to raise a bit of money along the way for such a good cause!

If anyone would like to sponsor me no matter how big or small I’d be extremely grateful, or join me on a walk one day, I’d love you to all get involved!

Thanks again! Nia Redman