Yvonne Byrne
- Back - Spinal Fusion
- 06/03/2025
I returned back home to Ireland by the end of June & now 9 months on have made a full recovery & I’m pain free!! I even got married since!!
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“In August, I was on holiday with my two young kids when, out of nowhere, my back gave out. One moment, I felt fine; the next, I was completely crippled, unable to get out of bed. I even fainted from the pain and hoped it would pass, but it only worsened. After two days, I called an ambulance and ended up in the hospital, where I was given injections, painkillers, and muscle relaxants. I thought they’d help, but they didn’t. My holiday pretty much ended, as I spent most of it confined to bed. Sixteen days later, I could barely leave the apartment, still suffering from crippling nerve pain and sleepless nights, relying on painkillers.”
“When I got home, I tried to return to work driving a school bus, but each day was a struggle. I’d get through the morning shift, go home to lie flat on the bed, then do it all over again in the afternoon. I kept thinking, When is this going to end? Weekends became days of complete rest. Eventually, my doctor arranged for an MRI, which revealed either an infection or severe inflammation in my spine, and I was told to go to the emergency room immediately. They explained I’d face a wait of 12 to 18 months for surgery—I couldn’t manage that long.”
“I remembered a friend who’d had a knee operation with Healthcare Abroad in 2022, so I reached out to Chris there. Within an hour of sending my MRI, he confirmed I needed spinal fusion surgery. With no private insurance and a long wait in Ireland, I decided to take the leap. I’d done some physio sessions, which helped a bit, but I knew it would only manage the pain, not cure it.”
“The surgery itself was intense, but when I woke up, I knew something had changed. For the first time in months, I didn’t feel the nerve pain. The surgical soreness was there, but it was a relief. Within days, I was out of bed and walking. Each day felt like real progress. I stayed in the hospital for a week to treat the infection, and I appreciated how attentive the staff were. The surgeon checked on me every day; I felt well cared for.”
“Now, I’m back home, walking without crutches and feeling stronger every day. I’m not 100% yet, but I’m on the right path and excited to rebuild my strength. The best part is knowing I’ll soon live pain-free. I can sleep on both sides instead of being stuck in one position. I’m 62 now, and while my hurling days might be over, I feel optimistic about truly living again.”
I returned back home to Ireland by the end of June & now 9 months on have made a full recovery & I’m pain free!! I even got married since!!
“Her pain was unbearable, and after waiting almost nine years to see a specialist and then being told it might be another four years before she could get an operation, we knew we had to take action and found out about Healthcare Abroad.”
Read Their Story“I was told I would have to wait THREE years in Ireland to see a consultant and I might have to wait another FIVE years. That would have been a wait of 8 years – I called Healthcare Abroad and was sorted in just 8 weeks.
Read Their Story“My advice to anyone who has had an operation cancelled is to call Healthcare Abroad. They are the best. I actually got a call from a Dublin hospital while I was in Spain asking me if I wanted to stay on the waiting list. Thankfully I don’t.”
Read Their StoryI’ve had my back surgery. The pain which was killing me has gone. The feeling I had lost in my legs has returned and I am looking forward again. I’ve gotten my life back again.
Read Their Story“I want to thank everyone for all their help. It is a pretty amazing service with Healthcare Abroad and I’d say to anyone in a similar position to get on that plane to Spain. You won’t regret it.”
Read Their Story