Inspirational Kelly Will, of Ipswich, is in ‘high spirits’ after brain surgery

Kelly Will (centre) is with friends and family at ASDA in Stowmarket collecting money for charity (Image: Archant)

The 24-year-old student, of Franciscan Way, Ipswich, was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm on December 4 and has had life-saving surgery at Addebrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge postponed twice since.

Last Wednesday, Kelly underwent a four-and-a-half hour operation, where a small metal coil was clipped around the main artery that is feeding blood into the aneurysm in the hopes that it will prevent further blood from entering and stop it from getting bigger.

Rev Andrew Dotchin, of Whitton, St Mary and St Botolph, who supported Kelly by shaving his hair off with her earlier this month, said hearing her procedure went smoothly was the best Christmas present he has ever had.

“We are looking upward rather than downward. The aneurysm is still there but it is hopeful and she is coping well.

“What is good news is if they have to do any further surgery then the risk is reduced.”

He said if the procedure manages to shrink the aneurysm then Kelly should need no further surgery, and would be out of hospital in the next couple of days.

Mr Dotchin said his son, Jonathan, visited Kelly in hospital on Saturday and she seemed in “very high spirits”, despite being highly medicated.

Kelly’s mum Sheree Will, of Mendlesham, said her daughter had been an inspiration.

“For me – I can’t afford to break until after they tell me Kelly is OK, when they say the operation is successful then I can fall apart.

“She needs to come out of this and grow into an old lady and look back and be there for other people, I believe in fate there is a reason behind everything.”

On December 7, Kelly shaved her hair off at the Mulberry Tree pub in Ipswich to raise money for the critical care unit where she is being cared for post-surgery and since then she has raised £2,713.65.