Rebecca Waller, a 27-year-old Swedish woman, experienced a spinal stroke in January, according to multiple reports. The stroke occurred during a work call on a Friday afternoon that month, as detailed by major media. During the work call, Rebecca Waller experienced severe upper back pain, major media reports indicate.
Her hands curled and she could not hold a glass of water, according to Daily Mail - Health. She called her fiancé James but could barely speak, with the source noting she thought she was going to die. James called an ambulance and ran to Rebecca's home, arriving as paramedics did, as reported by major media.
Paramedics found Rebecca on her bed, clutching her chest, writhing in pain, and saying she did not want to die, according to major media. They initially thought Rebecca was having a panic attack, the same reports state. The crisis escalated as Rebecca Waller hyperventilated again and vomited in the bathroom, major media reports.
Paramedics tried for almost two hours to get Rebecca to move, unaware of the severity of her condition, according to the same sources. More paramedics were called to help lift Rebecca, and she was taken to Charing Cross Hospital, as reported by major media. Scans at the hospital revealed Rebecca had suffered a spinal stroke, the sources confirm.
A spinal stroke occurs when blood flow to the spinal cord is suddenly blocked, depriving nerve tissue of oxygen, according to Dr. Steve Allder, as cited by major media. Spinal strokes are less common than brain strokes but can be equally or more serious, often with higher risk of long-term mobility challenges, Dr.
Allder explained. Doctors deduced that a tiny fragment of cartilage from Rebecca's spine chipped off and blocked the blood flow, major media reports. After the stroke, Rebecca could only move her neck and had a tiny twitch in her right arm; everything below her shoulders was paralyzed, according to major media.
Rebecca Waller and her fiancé James had booked their wedding venue the day before the stroke, major media reports. Rebecca Waller is Swedish, the same sources note. Rebecca Waller now fights for every small movement, major media reports.
The exact date in January when the spinal stroke occurred remains unspecified, as does the cause of the cartilage fragment chipping off. How long Rebecca Waller was hospitalized after the stroke is also not detailed in reports. The implications of Rebecca's case extend to broader awareness of spinal strokes and emergency response, emphasizing the need for prompt medical attention in such rare events.