'Inspiring' Gosport woman makes incredible recovery after doctors say 'she’s going to die'

An “inspiring” Gosport woman has made an incredible recovery after doctors told her partner: “Sorry, she’s going to die.”

Crystal Danaford was taken ill with a rare brain condition known as Susac syndrome that left her in a coma for several months and suffering brain damage as well as a series of mini strokes.

The 28-year-old was taken ill around two and a half years ago but survived “against devastating odds” to learn to walk and talk again from a condition that only around 500 people worldwide have.

Crystal underwent seven rounds of chemotherapy for the autoimmune disease which affects mobility, eyes and ears and left her in hospital for a year with no memory. She said: “It’s been up and down and a very difficult journey.”

Her partner Lawrence Keighley, 28, said: “It’s been a long journey but she is lots better than before. To begin with she couldn’t pick her feet off the ground but now she is learning to walk again and get around the house without a frame. It’s amazing how far she has come.”

After becoming ill Crystal was taken to Queen Alexandra hospital where doctors did not think there was anything seriously wrong with her, Lawrence said. “She should have been put in an induced coma straight away but it took two months before she was taken to Southampton and put in a coma,” he told The News.

“The illness caused permanent brain damage and multiple mini strokes. I’ll never forget pleading with a doctor to save her life, only to hear the words ‘I’m sorry, she’s going to die’. It was heartbreaking.

“I can’t describe what it feels like to be told you’re going to lose the person you love. After months in a coma, a year in hospital and seven rounds of chemotherapy, somehow Crystal managed to survive.”

Doctors were unsure what illness Crystal had initially, making her situation more perilous. “Even when they cut open her brain it did not help them find out what was wrong with her,” Lawrence said. “It was only when they found out that they could properly treat her. It was then a 10-month journey to speak again and when she first came out of hospital she had no memory.”

But despite Crystal’s difficulties, she never gave up. “She’s inspiring, she just got on with it. Learning to walk and talk again is not easy. She just soldiers on,” Lawrence said.

Crystal said: “I could not pick up my legs afterwards but now I am able to do it properly. I could only walk a short distance with support but can now get around the house without any help.”

Although Crystal has made stunning progress, the permanent illness has flared up again on occasions with it impacting her right eye and could potentially leave her blind. “Crystal will always have the disease but when it’s active in the brain is when it is hard to control,” Lawrence said.

“Sadly, the battle isn’t over. The disease has recently become active in her eyes, putting her at risk of losing her sight. Thankfully, treatment is looking promising, but there’s still a long road ahead.”

Managing weight is a factor that helps to prevent any escalation with Crystal saying she has to be “careful what I eat” with the steroids she takes.

Lawrence has praised the support of The Brain Charity which helps families affected by neurological conditions and has been a vital source of support for the couple.

To show their gratitude they want to raise £5,000 with Lawrence planning on shaving his hair off on December 12 at 3.45pm at Pauper to King barber shop in Gosport, which he will livestream on his Facebook page. A charity football match at Gosport Borough FC will also take place on Sunday at 6pm.

“If we can help even one other person going through something similar, then it’s worth it. We want to give back to them. Crystal’s come on leaps and bounds,” Lawrence said.

He added: “The last year things have been a lot more normal. We’re going on our first holiday to Spain soon and are trying to live a normal life again.”

To donate go to: justgiving.com/page/lawrence-keighley-2