A MOTHER who has spent almost two years fundraising for her son’s scoliosis treatment in America has been diagnosed with a condition linked to stress.

Saz Bailey, from Wilmslow, has Cushing’s syndrome, which is caused by having high levels of cortisol – a hormone which can build up following stressful events.

Since the start of last year, the 43-year-old has organised several events – such as the annual Wizard Walk – to raise the money needed to send her son Max, 10, to the USA for spine-correcting treatment every three months.

But she will now have to take a step back having been diagnosed with a condition that leaves her exhausted just by walking upstairs.

She told the Guardian: “It came to a head 12 months ago when I did Tough Mudder for a fundraiser.

“I came away looking like someone had taken a baseball bat to me – I was covered in bruises.”

Saz, who also lives with husband Paul and younger daughter Tilda, had begun feeling 'under the weather' five years ago, but her condition worsened last year.

Doctors at home had been unable to determine what the problem was after blood tests, so she was examined in the USA in January.

It was there that doctors first suggested a diagnosis of Cushing's, and this was confirmed following further tests in the UK

After more examination at home, it was revealed in June that she had a tumour on her pituitary gland, at the base of her brain.

“I don’t just get tired – I get exhausted all of the time,” Saz said.

“In the last 12 months I have put on 3.5st to 4st, which is another symptom, and some people can put on up to 14st. People keep asking me if I’m pregnant – they must think I’m still due.

"I've had years of working hard as a carer for Max and fundraising for him, and now there's something else to deal with.

"Now I want to raise awareness of Cushing's so people have more information about it."

Saz is expected to have surgery to remove her tumour at the end of next month, before Paul takes Max to the USA for his next course of scoliosis treatment on December 9.

"Paul took him in September along with Max's grandad, who hadn't flown before, so that was an adventure for him," Saz added.

"Max is making good progress from his treatment. He knows I'm poorly but he doesn't quite understand it all yet.

"I'm trying to do things that aren't so intensive – the fundraising events are set up now so I don't need to do too much with them."

The next fundraiser for Max will take place at The Symposium, in Grove Street, on November 25.

See facebook.com/maxipotential for details on fundraisers for Max.