Welsh Woman in Induced Coma in Turkish Hospital After Severe Seizures
A Welsh woman, Cerys Rees, from Pontypridd, finds herself in a dire situation after suffering multiple seizures while in Antalya, Turkey. Cerys, who was there to scatter her late husband’s ashes, has been isolated in a hospital and placed in an induced coma, leaving her family “absolutely petrified” and scrambling to bring her back to the UK.
Cerys experienced her first seizure on June 25, which led to her being rushed to the hospital with collapsed veins. Her family, overwhelmed with fear, is making every effort to return her to the UK, as reported by WalesOnline.
The traumatic incident comes after a series of tragic events in Cerys’ life. In October 2022, she and her late husband were hit by a drunk driver, which resulted in Cerys’ first seizure. Cerys, who has lupus but was otherwise healthy, lost her husband in January 2024, her brother in 2019, and her father in 2020.
As Cerys’ condition deteriorated, her family started a GoFundMe campaign to cover her medical expenses and the cost of transporting her back to the UK. Despite the hospital’s efforts, Cerys’ condition worsened, and she was intubated and placed on life support.
Her sister, Rhianna, expressed the family’s anguish, saying, “We as a family are absolutely petrified for her life and scared we may lose her in Turkey if we don’t get her back. Things can’t get any worse; we just want her home in hope the ICU at the Heath hospital can help her.”
Doctors have authorized Cerys’ transfer to the UK via air ambulance, but the family faces a significant financial hurdle. Their insurance company disputes the claim, alleging Cerys had a pre-existing epilepsy diagnosis, which the family denies. Rhianna revealed that a private air ambulance would cost £38,000, a sum they currently cannot afford.
“The hospital is doing their very best and are now helping Cerys’ friends that are there organize the air ambulance, but we simply don’t have enough funds at the minute,” Rhianna said. “I can’t thank the public enough for the funds they have already donated. I just hope we can raise more publicity into the seriousness of her illness. Myself and Cerys’ mother are just living in fear, struggling to cope but trying to do as much as we can.”
The family’s urgent plea for help continues as they navigate this heartbreaking and stressful situation, hoping to gather enough support to bring Cerys back home safely.