Uncovering their daughter’s crippling neurological condition is a family from Australia.
Bella Macey, 10, was on a family vacation in Fiji when she got an infection from a blister that made her foot swell up. After being admitted to the hospital right away, she was given the painful and uncommon diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome.
“Everything is cutting, burning, and tingly. Bella described the pain as being “all kinds of different pain I never knew was possible” in an interview with A Current Affair. “I can’t have a shower, I can’t have a bath, I can’t put any sheets or anything on [my leg]… even with a tissue, you can’t touch it with anything, or else I will scream. ”.
Her mother Emma Macey told the outlet, “I just want to give her a big cuddle but I can’t because if I cuddle her, then it moves her and that hurts her.”.
It’s heartbreaking, Chris Macey, her father, added. “You can never fully express how much you love your child, but it must be traumatizing for her to go through this. ”.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare neurological condition that can result in constant or sporadic pain in the extremities, a burning sensation, and heightened sensitivity to touch. Even routine tasks, like taking your blood pressure, can become agonizing because of the condition.
On their GoFundMe page, the family explained that Bella’s pain caused her to lose mobility in her right foot and leg all the way up to her groin. She is currently confined to a bed or a wheelchair for mobility. ”.
“It has brought Bella’s life to a standstill, leaving her unable to move, tolerate any touch or sensation to her affected leg and foot, attend school, play with friends, or even wear pants because the touch of the material is too much to bear,” they claimed.
Bella spent four weeks in the hospital because her parents wanted to send her abroad for treatment because there aren’t any clinics in Australia.
Emma and her daughter recently made a solo trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas to start treatment at the Spero Clinic, which specializes in CRPS, after having trouble getting accepted. Bella will receive treatment at the clinic for 13 weeks, though her mother said that if more time is required, it may be extended.
Emma said, “We are hoping with her early diagnosis this isn’t the case and there will be updates posted soon of her tolerating touch, standing on her foot, and then walking.”.
The family expressed their gratitude for the support Bella has received in a Monday update on the GoFundMe page, which has received over $215,000 to fund Bella’s specialized treatment.
“We are incredibly appreciative of and overwhelmed by the amazing support that has been provided to Bella in order for her to receive the treatments she requires here at Spero. Bella is aware that it is difficult work, but she is resolute and is aware that she has a large support system behind her who are rooting for her success, according to the family. Thank you so much to everybody.
Bella, in tears, said of her treatment plan, “I’m so afraid and terrified of pain and everything I’m gonna have to go through. But I’m confident that everything will work out in the end. ”.
