A Consett mum said she is lucky to be alive after becoming seriously unwell with a brain tumour and bleed on the brain while in Turkey.
Lisa Robinson, 44, flew on her own to Antalya on Thursday, June 23 for a consultation about getting dental implants. But when the mum-of-two arrived at the Magic Smile Turkey dental clinic the following day, staff noticed from her strange behaviour that something was seriously wrong.
Lisa was taken to Anadolu Hastanesi Hospital where doctors discovered she had a brain tumour and a bleed on the brain. Medics rushed her in for an immediate 13-hour surgery that saved her life.
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Lisa spent four days in intensive care before being moved to critical care, where she has amazed doctors with her progress.
Speaking to ChronicleLive about her ordeal from her hospital bed in Turkey, Lisa said: "I had no balance and staff [at the clinic] had asked if I had a drink," Lisa said.
"They asked if I wanted to go back to the hotel or the hospital and I said the hospital straight away. When I got to the hospital I had a blood transfusion, I was assessed and had an MRI and the tumour and the bleed was identified then.
"I was operated on straight away. The doctors have been amazing. I am very lucky to be alive."
The hospital contacted Lisa's family to let them know about her condition and her partner, Michael Ringer, daughter, Jade Robinson, and sister, Sharon Morris, immediately flew out to Turkey to be by her bedside.
Sister Sharon, from Newcastle, said: "She only had a 25% chance of pulling through. We had a phone call on the day of her operation saying that she might not pull through or she could be left paralysed.
"It is a miracle she pulled through. Someone is looking down on her. She is really lucky to be here."
Lisa, who is a mental health nurse, said in the two weeks before she was due to travel she had suffered from some headaches that doctors thought might be cluster headaches and that she had down to the stress of starting a new job.
Sister Sharon continued: "It is an absolute miracle that Lisa has pulled through. A Guardian Angel is looking over her. We can't believe how well she is doing.
"Now she is in critical care she has been doing absolutely fantastic. She is obviously still weak and not got any strength, but she is a fighter and her positive attitude is amazing. She is the strongest person I know.
"The doctors are amazed at her progress."
Lisa has now received the all-clear to fly home with a doctor to continue her recovery in the UK. However, the family is now facing an insurance nightmare before they are able to bring her back to Consett.
The family says that the insurance company is refusing to pay to cover the costs of Lisa's care and travel on the grounds that she was aware she had a pre-existing medical condition. Lisa says she had "no idea" that she had a brain tumour before she travelled and is filing a complaint with the insurance company.
Now the family have launched a fundraiser in the hope of raising £50,000 to pay for Lisa's medical and travel costs.
Sharon said: "We would be so grateful for any donations as we just need to get Lisa home. We are so grateful for the support and help that have had so far. Any more donations would be greatly appreciated."
To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sharon-morris-2?utm_term=Z8EGQDeP8
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