'You can't ignore your body': Storm Keating reveals she faces a full year of rehab after undergoing emergency surgery for rare spinal condition
Storm Keating has revealed that is required to undergo a full year of rehabilitation as she continues to recover from her emergency spinal surgery.
The fashion designer, 39, was admitted to London's Cromwell Hospital in March, after being diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome, a rare spinal condition that could have led to paralysis, if left untreated.
And in a new interview with The Mirror, the wife of Boyzone star Ronan Keating has revealed that she has a long road ahead of her in rehab.
Recovery: Storm Keating has revealed that is required to undergo a full year of rehabilitation as she continues to recover from her emergency spinal surgery (pictured in 2017)
She told the publication: 'You’ve got to give the nerves 12 months post-surgery. It’s a long time to wait but between now and then I’m on a rigorous programme that will ease up as I get stronger.'
'It wasn’t until the surgeon said it was a success that I broke down,' she said of her reaction to the surgery. 'Then I had a couple of weeks with waves of emotions. You start to panic. You realise what your life would’ve looked like and that I wouldn’t have been able to drive to school, or gone on holidays. '
Storm added: 'My view definitely changed a lot since I had that scare. I’m still going through rehabilitation at the minute. I’m not 100 per cent perfect, but I’m very guilty of never making time for myself. I don’t have a good balance. But now I believe you can’t ignore your body. You’ve got to make time and look after yourself.'
Ten days after having her surgery, Storm took to Instagram to state she was 'doing great' and would soon be able to lift up her daughter Coco, 15 months, again.
Doing well: Storm previously revealed that she was 'doing great' after her emergency spinal surgery in March. Pictured with her daughter Coco, 15 months
She was discharged from hospital before her daughter's first birthday in March and shared a heartwarming clip of herself with Coco and her son Cooper, four, and said she was doing well.
Storm wrote: 'My babies ♥️ 10 days post surgery and I am doing great. One day soon I'll be able to lift her up and into my arms again... the lord himself knows that every little piece of my heart and soul can't wait!'
In the clip, Storm could be seen sitting on a picnic blanket as she gave Coco a kiss on the forehead with Cooper standing alongside them.
it comes after Storm took to Instagram in late March, sharing a snap of her hand and hospital gown and said she had experienced the 'most frightening week' of her life after her diagnosis.
Hard times: The Australian fashion designer was admitted to London's Cromwell Hospital after being diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a rare and severe type of spinal stenosis that causes the nerves in the lower back to become severely compressed.
In a lengthy Instagram post, the mother-of-two said that she 'wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone.'
Beginning her message, she said: 'It's been a long and trialling week, the most frightening week of my life.
'But I feel so utterly grateful to Dr Syed Aftab and all the amazing specialists, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and aids at #CromwellHospital who have assisted me through this.
Shock: Storm told how she had initially been rushed to hospital for a 'very bad prolapsed disc' that needed 'surgical intervention' (pictured with husband Ronan Keating in 2018)
'On Saturday I was rushed in with what we already knew was a very bad prolapsed disc, which had more recently escalated to the point where it needed surgical intervention.'
Detailing how her condition escalated, she continued: 'Whilst stabilising in hospital however, this then escalated to Cauda Equina Compression/ Syndrome which required emergency spinal surgery to avoid permanent damage.
'If it wasn't for Dr Aftab and his acute diligence, care, attentiveness and skills, I would not be walking out of this hospital with the prospects of leading the normal life I had always envisioned I would.'
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome is a serious condition where the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord become compressed.
Symptoms include:
Doctors advise seeking medical assistance immediately if a person develops these symptoms.
They should visit their GP or the accident and emergency (A&E) department of the nearest hospital.
If cauda equina syndrome is not promptly treated, the nerves to the bladder and bowel can become permanently damaged.
Source: NHS Choices
The condition causes the nerves in the lower back to suddenly become compressed and can lead to loss of sensation, incontinence and paralysis if not treated immediately.
Sharing her gratitude towards the medical staff that helped her, Storm added: 'There are no words that will ever come close to describing my gratitude to you Syed, thank you.
'And to Georgia and all the wonderful nurses and healthcare assistants who wiped my tears, comforted my fears, cleaned me up and allowed me to keep my dignity in moments where I thought I would lose it... you are amazing human beings to do what you do, thank you.'
Turning to her family, she said: 'My little girl turns one year old tomorrow and I can't wait to get home to her (just in time!) and to my amazing family who have been supporting each other and holding the fort together in my absence this last week.
'It couldn't have been easy and especially knowing the way my baby @rokeating worries! So baba, @jackrkeating and @missyykeating you are my heroes and I love you and I can't wait to get home and see you!!!!'
The businesswoman concluded her post: 'Finally I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone for your well wishes this last week, they filled me with strength and courage. I hope that by sharing my story, it's a small reminder for everyone to take care of your back!
'Many of us take our spine for granted and often our health too... but sometimes the unexpected can throw a real curve ball if you're not paying attention or if you're ignoring your body.
'I'm very lucky but I wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone. We share our highs on Insta but sometimes it's good to share our lows too. This has been one of mine ❤️.'
Storm gave birth to Coco in March last year and also shares Cooper with Ronan.
The happy couple met in September 2012 while they were both working on The X Factor Australia.
They tied the knot in a romantic Scottish ceremony in 2015 before announcing in December 2016 that they were expecting their first child.
Ronan shares three other children with ex-wife Yvonne Connolly: daughters Missy, 20, and Ali, 15, and son Jack, 22.
Family: Storm gave birth to her daughter in March last year and also shares four-year-old son Cooper with musician and TV personality Ronan (pictured last year)