The mum of a seriously ill woman has become sick while supporting her daughter through what she hopes will be life-saving surgery in Spain.
Molly Hartshorn's daughter Melanie suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). The rare condition causes the 33-year-old's skull to dislocate from her neck and spine.
In October last year, Molly, 71, accompanied Melanie to Barcelona so she could undergo a major operation to fuse her neck and spine, which is not available on the NHS.
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Only the first part of Melanie's surgery, which was carried out through her throat, was completed as her body wasn't strong enough. For the last three months, she has been recovering and waiting to undergo the second part of the operation, which is being planned for February.
Now Molly, who previously pleaded with people to help save her daughter's life, has been diagnosed with heart failure.
Melanie, from Cramlington, Northumberland, told Chronicle Live: "They diagnosed her with heart failure yesterday.
"They wanted to admit her but she had to refuse as she’s my only carer and needs to look after me at the apartment. She’s on new medications and needs to get a follow up with a cardiologist next week.
"I'm devastated that we've spent so many years surviving with my mum being my carer rather than being able to be my 'mum' and spending quality time together."
Molly, who was unable to walk to the shop, was given medication over the weekend. She visited hospital on Tuesday, after only a slight improvement, and was given the devastating diagnosis.
Melanie said her neurosurgeon's assistant sat with her at the apartment, where they are staying, while her mum was at the hospital.
She has praised staff at the apartments for their help. She said they have collected her mum's prescription, checked her blood pressure and heart rate and attended the hospital with her.
Melanie's condition means she struggles to sit up. She has spent the majority of her life lying down and graduated on a stretcher.
Before the operation, Melanie was kept alive for 18 months by a surgical halo vest. Her neck and spine had become dangerously unstable and the halo was keeping them in place.
Melanie, who was suffering from seizures, vomiting and pain, said the halo was only a short-term fix and said she needed to raise £100,000 for the operation to fuse her neck to her spine.
She raised more than £84,000 on her Go Fund Me page and a "very kind person" offered her a loan as a last resort to ensure the surgery went ahead.
Following the first part of the operation, Melanie was placed into an induced coma on the intensive care unit (ICU) where she recovered for four-and-a-half weeks.
She has since experienced a number of set backs which have included allergic reactions to her tube feed and a tear in her oesophagus.
Recent scans show broken screws in her thoracic spine, which need to be removed. She said that if they're pressing into her spinal cord they can cause serious damage and paralysis.
Melanie said: "This needs stabilised asap before more permanent damage is done, and to make sure my latest neck fusion isn’t damaged irreparably - so surgery is being planned for early Feb."
Melanie's fundraising total had to be increased to £150,000 due to the cost of extra medical care. She has so far received £111,317 in donations.
The money will be used to pay for Melanie's second surgery, the cost of her extended stay in ICU and additional treatment. It will also cover the cost of accommodation and pay back loans.
She said: "I’m really worried about raising the money and getting the surgery so we can get back home asap."
Melanie previously had her neck and spine fused during a major operation in Barcelona in 2017. However four broken titanium screws in her vertebrae have caused the fusions to be unstable.
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