On top of that, she had a rare and often debilitating condition called Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome (CVS).
Since the age of two, Amber experienced sudden, severe bouts of vomiting that could last for hours, sometimes leaving her dehydrated and in extreme discomfort.
Her parents had spent years learning how to manage these episodes and advocating for her care, becoming vigilant experts in their daughter’s needs.
A Surgery Meant to Bring Relief
Doctors at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT), at the hospital in Truro, recommended adenotonsillectomy — the surgical removal of both tonsils and adenoids — to relieve her sleep apnoea.
The procedure is generally considered routine and low-risk, and it had the potential to vastly improve Amber’s quality of life by helping her breathe properly during sleep.
On 5 April 2023, Amber was admitted for surgery. Her parents expected that, due to her complicated medical history, she would stay overnight for observation, especially given the risk of dehydration from CVS.
They explicitly communicated this concern to medical staff, hoping to ensure that she would be carefully monitored after the operation.
To their shock, Amber was discharged later that evening, around 9 p.m. Despite their repeated warnings and her rare condition, the doctors cleared her to go home.
