I visited the surgeon on Friday and he is very pleased with my progress so far. The surgery was a success and the left jugular vein is now unkinked! I can now look up, eat more chocolate :) and am gradually increasing the distance I can walk. Thank you everyone for your support. I really couldn't have done it without you as it cost a lot more in the end (£10,400)! We are now switching to the NHS for further treatment (possibly surgery on the right side too) and so are closing the page. Looking positive! C x

Hi everybody! Well, I had the first operation on Thursday and so far, so good! It is still painful and hard to move my head too much, and the painkillers are helping. My surgeon was able to remove all the bone from the side of the jugular and has resected the C1 vertebrae to allow the vein to have more room to drain. I have to take it easy for a couple of weeks before returning back to work after the follow up in Cambridge. Thank you everyone for your continued support and interest. We're keeping everything crossed that this works. C:)

Tomorrow is surgery day!! We travel to Cambridge in the morning and I will update the page as soon as I am able. Thank you everyone for your continued support - it means so much for all the family. Thank you... C x