Kelly Latimer recounts harrowing experience after suffering slipped disc, now 'slowly coming back to life'

Kelly Latimer is recovering and "slowly coming back to life" after undergoing surgery.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday (Sept 30), the 40-year-old local presenter-host said she had been experiencing lower back tightness and deep glute aches for years.

While she was usually able to manage the pain with stretches and painkillers, Kelly said the tightness she experienced this time was different.

The pain became worse over the last weekend.

"I couldn't really walk, I popped some heavy-duty medication and waited for relief so I could try to mobilise. It didn't happen. I got back into bed and had a sneezing fit of four to five sneezes," she recalled.

On the last sneeze, she screamed.

"The pain was unreal. Like, childbirth unreal," said the mum of two.

Her husband Justin Loi, 40, took her to the hospital where she was warded and taken through an MRI scan.

By the next day, Kelly said she was "screaming in agony".

"The pain was intense. I apologise to my neighbours. I got put on the highest legal dose of everything and then was flying high as a kite," she said.

She shared photos of herself in the ward with her loved ones, including Loi, their daughter Sienna, nine, and son Luca, five.

In the comments section, Kelly revealed she had a L5-S1 disc herniation, which is at the base of one's spine.

Before her scheduled surgery on another day, Kelly said she started convulsing involuntarily.

She took a brain scan and some rest to calm down, and underwent a four-hour surgery where a piece of her disc was shaved off.

She felt immediate relief when she awoke, she said.

"I know I am still on pain relief, but I already feel worlds better. Recovery will still take time. But I am so glad we did this," she added, before advising others to look out for their wellbeing.

"Moral of story, kids — if you are in chronic pain, get it checked. Thoroughly. I am lucky my nerves survived with no major damage, but if we had left it any longer, I might have had permanent loss of feeling. Health is wealth, and once it is gone, you may not be able to buy it back."

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd6h6sdTux7/[/embed]

[[nid:746554]]

syarifahsn@asiaone.com

No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.